About — Avian Haven

About Avian Haven

Dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured, sick, and orphaned wild birds in Maine from across the Atlantic Flyway.

Our Story

WHO WE ARE

A Sanctuary for Wild Birds in the Heart of Maine

Each year, Avian Haven cares for approximately 3,000 birds in rural Freedom, Maine — from chickadees and owls that call Maine home year-round to songbirds and waterfowl passing through on the Atlantic Flyway. Maine's open land, clean waterways, and people who care deeply about wildlife make it one of the most important places on the flyway. With your support, we make sure that when a wild bird needs help, help is here.

45,000+

Wild Birds Treated

140+

Species Represented

150+

VOLUNTEERS STATEWIDE

~3,000

Birds Annually

OUR JOURNEY

Our Story

Where It Began

Nestled in the beauty of Freedom, Maine, Avian Haven was incorporated as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization by Marc Payne and Diane Winn in 1999.

Over the years, our annual patient load has grown from 300 to nearly 3,000 birds, making us one of the largest avian rehabilitation centers in New England. To date, we have treated more than 45,000 wild birds representing over 140+ species — from songbirds and seabirds to raptors and waterfowl.

Our Purpose

We provide care for birds that are orphaned, sick, or injured, with the goal of returning them to their natural habitats. In addition to our dedicated staff, our work is supported by a vital network of onsite volunteers, transporters, and interns.

In recent years, Avian Haven has transitioned to an Executive Director-led organization, guided by a vibrant and engaged Board of Directors. Together, our leadership team is committed to sustaining the organization's mission, stewarding its resources, and ensuring its continued excellence in bird rehabilitation and public trust.

From tiny hummingbirds to majestic bald eagles.

Over 140 Species Cared For

World-Class Facilities

Avian Haven's facilities are nationally recognized as among the best in the field of wild bird rehabilitation. Located in central Maine, our center includes over 40 outdoor enclosures designed to meet the diverse needs of the more than 140 species we admit annually — from tiny hummingbirds to majestic bald eagles. This includes a dedicated pond for our Loons and other birds that spend life on the water.

Our flight enclosures provide birds with the space and structure they need to regain flight strength and coordination before release. These include specialized enclosures for songbirds, raptors, corvids, swifts, and seabirds, as well as a large pool complex for waterfowl.

Built for Every Bird

In addition to species-specific care areas, our facilities include an intensive care wing, triage spaces, quarantine area, and a fully equipped clinic. Each structure is built with a strong emphasis on safety, species-appropriate design and enrichment, and minimizing human imprinting.

Our eagle and large-raptor enclosures are among the largest and in the eastern U.S., and we regularly consult with other rehabilitation centers seeking to replicate aspects of our design. Continual upgrades and maintenance ensure that our facilities remain at the forefront of wildlife rehabilitation standards.

Thanks to the support of our donors and volunteers, we are able to provide the best possible environment for every bird's journey from rescue to release.

WHAT DRIVES US

Mission, Vision & Values

Mission

Avian Haven is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of Maine's injured, sick, and orphaned wild birds.

Vision

A world where every wild bird in need receives compassionate care, the opportunity for recovery, and the freedom to return to the skies; a community where people and wildlife coexist with respect, understanding, and shared stewardship.

Values

At Avian Haven, we foster a culture rooted in compassion, respect, and shared purpose. Our work is guided by integrity, collaboration, and a deep sense of responsibility—to the birds we serve, to one another, and to the greater community.

HOW WE WORK

Our Four Pillars

Our strategy rests on four pillars that guide our work and strengthen our impact.

PILLAR 1

Clinical Excellence

A 365-day intake hotline, rapid stabilization protocols, species-specific husbandry expertise, and a weekly veterinary clinic under the clinical direction of Consulting Veterinarian Dr. Avery Berkowitz.

PILLAR 2

Data Rigor

Every patient is documented in WRMD, building a longitudinal record of threats to the wild birds of Maine, and along the Atlantic Flyway.

PILLAR 3

Community Infrastructure

A network of 150 trained volunteers and transporters across the state ensures that injured birds reach care quickly, regardless of geography.

PILLAR 4

Public Education & Engagement

A weekly newsletter and social media on topics that inform and delight the public for a current audience of 35,000 across channels, with plans to expand reach in 2026–27.