Avian ambassador Nox, a Northern White-faced Owl, at four weeks old perched on the glove of a trainer during an education program.

Matthew Danihel

Meet Nox, Our New Northern White-faced Owl Avian Ambassador!

North America

The TPF Education team at the World Center for Birds of Prey is thrilled to welcome a young Northern White-faced Owl to its Avian Ambassador team! The owlet, named Nox (Latin for “night”), arrived at WCBP on May 21 as just a 3-week-old. Nox will remain at our Boise-based education center with our other 20 non-releasable Avian Ambassadors, joining our educators for student programs and engaging with visitors onsite.

“We are so excited to welcome Nox to our Avian Ambassador family,” says WCBP Director Tate Mason. “This is a wonderful opportunity for guests to connect with a truly extraordinary species and learn why raptors matter to the health of our planet.”

Three photos. Top left is Nox at two weeks old; bottom left is Nox at four weeks old. Right shows Nox stretching on the glove of Raptor Specialist II Jadn Soper during an education program.
Phung Luu (top left) | Matthew Danihel (bottom left & right)


Native to sub-Saharan Africa, Northern White-faced Owls are one of many raptor species that benefit from The Peregrine Fund’s conservation programs in Africa. As an Avian Ambassador, Nox will give our education team a powerful way to connect visitors with the conservation work happening across the African continent, bringing the story of wild birds and wild places directly to guests in Boise.

Nox wasted no time making an impression. Alongside Curator of Birds Stephanie Ashley, Nox appeared on Idaho Today before heading to the airwaves the next day on Idaho Matters on Boise State Public Radio. The young owlet also appeared in education programs for a single week, but now that Nox has reached fledgling age, they are currently off exhibit and focusing on training for the time being.

Two photos; both show Nox perched on the glove of Raptor Specialist II Jadn Soper during an education program as an audience looks on.
Matthew Danihel


“Nox was exceptionally comfortable and showed off well for the camera, preening and stretching and looking around curiously,” Stephanie said. “Nox has been very calm and inquisitive so far, and I am optimistic that Nox is going to turn out to be an amazing ambassador.”

We don't yet know when Nox will be back for regular public appearances, so stay tuned! In the meantime, follow WCBP on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with Nox’s development and training (and—once the blood test comes back—a gender reveal!).