Logo design by Shearon Murphy

Avian Haven was incorporated as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization by Marc Payne and Diane Winn in 1999. Since that time, our annual case load has increased from about 300 to about 3,600 birds, making us one of the largest avian rehabilitation practices in New England. All told to date, roughly 34,000 birds from more than 100 species have been treated at Avian Haven. We care for wild birds that are orphaned, sick, and/or injured, with a goal of releasing them back to their natural roles in the wild. Diane and Marc remain part of the core year-round staff.

Avian Haven has indoor infirmary space that includes a full kitchen, food supplies to meet the dietary needs of all avian species of all ages, incubators, hospital and recovery cages, veterinary equipment, a reference library, and a full complement of medical supplies. We have several consulting veterinarians and on-site radiographic capability. Outdoors, fourteen buildings some of them comprising multiple habitats, provide pre-release flight conditioning for a variety of species ranging in size from hummingbirds to eagles. An additional building is a year-round aquatic facility containing four pools appropriate for water birds as small as dovekies and petrels or as large as loons and gannets. We also have a three-season enclosed outdoor pond.

We have permits issued by the State of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to rehabilitate wild birds (including endangered species). Our facilities are open during the daylight hours, 365 days a year. We accept birds of all species from the general public, and via referrals from veterinarians, Maine Wildlife Biologists, Maine Game Wardens, Animal Control Officers, and other Maine rehabilitators. We are not a nature center or a zoo; all of our birds are being prepared for release to the wild and thus are required by our permit conditions to have minimal contact with humans. Avian Haven is open for the public, but not to the public; we are not able to accommodate tour groups or photographers.

Wildlife rehabilitation is not funded by governmental agencies; Avian Haven's operating expenses are covered by private donations and foundation grants. We provide treatment free of charge to birds' rescuers, but are always grateful for small cash gifts to help cover food and medical costs. Larger gifts to help fund equipment and flight-conditioning cages are most welcome. Avian Haven is a non-profit corporation, so both monetary contributions and donations of goods are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. For more information, see the many ways to support Avian Haven. We welcome volunteers from the community to work on site and/or transport birds to us from surrounding communities. All volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

With a mission that includes research and education as well as rehabilitation per se, Marc and Diane have given numerous workshops and presentations at state, regional and national conferences. In addition, we sponsor internships for college students during the summer season.