Tribute to Ember

On October 26, 2025, we lost a dear friend. Ember the Red-shouldered Hawk was an integral part of our team here at Reflection Riding. For 11 years, she educated thousands of guests about the importance of her species with a fierce gaze and willing attitude. Although she’s gone, Ember will continue to live in the hearts of many.

Ember the Red-shouldered Hawk was a fierce bird. From her stunning gaze to staunch determination, her will and fortitude were undeniable.

She joined our team on July 27, 2014, when Wildlife Curator Taylor Berry picked up a Red-shouldered Hawk from Walden’s Puddle in Joelton, TN. When he met her for the first time, small peeps erupted from her box. “Oh, it’s a baby!” Taylor realized, and that’s how their journey together started. Ember was a juvenile and partial amputee when she entered our care due to an early life injury that rendered her incapable of flight. As a one-winged bird, she had to learn to trust humans quickly for the safety of she and her caretakers.

“Life had dealt her a tough hand, but she was one of the most determined birds I’ve ever met,” Taylor noted. “If you didn’t already know she was injured [before meeting her], you’d never know.” Due to the time of her arrival, she formed a partial imprint on her caretakers. This is caused by raptor biology because Ember joined our team around the phase of life when Red-shouldered Hawks form lifelong bonds with their mates.

When Taylor and Ember worked together, the bond was palpable. You’d often find Ember perched on Taylor’s shoulder, which is unusual in the raptor world. During programs, she’d call softly in his ear, reminding him of their deep connection. “It was one of the most endearing things about her,” he noted.

Just like everything in her life, she took her training in stride. She quickly understood the process and how to deduce cues from the wildlife team. “She was one of those birds who seemed to understand what we were asking of her. That’s one of the hardest parts of working with these guys, and she always had a sixth sense of what we were trying to do here,” Taylor explained. 

Her willful demeanor actually eased her into the position of trainer over the years. When educating new staff, Ember became an exemplary teacher because she would show the team how to properly work with animal ambassadors. “The best teachers are the animals themselves. Ember’s willingness to work with people played a big role in teaching our staff how to work with animals,” he said. “She always helped people understand when they were making mistakes.” Ember not only trained our staff, she set the foundation for raptor programs at Reflection Riding.

“I for one cannot imagine a better bird to have started my career with as a partner and coworker in what we do,” Taylor said. “Honestly, she was a catalyst for all of the bird work we do here.”

Her sheer confidence and comfort around people made her a spectacular program animal, and she led the way for many birds to follow. Today, our raptor program now includes owls, hawks, and falcons.

“Since 2014, she has been an amazing ambassador not only for RR but also her species. She’s educated thousands of people on the role of Red-shouldered Hawks and the value they bring to our ecosystem,” Taylor recalls.

Fly high, Ember. You’ll be greatly missed.