Heroes of Hawk Mountain: Sergio Seipke

On July 4, 2025, the world lost a remarkable raptor biologist, and Hawk Mountain lost a dear friend. Sergio Seipke passed away after a courageous battle with illness. Sergio first joined Hawk Mountain as a trainee in the spring of 2004 and returned as a Leadership Trainee in 2005. During this time, with the support of Dr. Keith Bildstein, he launched a groundbreaking project to write the first field guide to South American raptors. As the author, Sergio traveled across South and Central America for several years, photographing raptors and collaborating with artist friends to produce stunning images and detailed descriptions of raptor biology.

Soon after, Sergio took the helm of Raptours, an eco-tourism company specializing in hawk watching, founded by his longtime friend, Bill Clark. Through Raptours, Sergio organized exceptional raptor tours worldwide, making lifelong friends wherever he went. His friendly demeanor, sharp mind, and keen observational skills left an indelible mark on everyone he met.

Whenever we had questions about South American raptors, we knew exactly who to call. Over the years, Hawk Mountain became a second home for Sergio, and he led several eco-tours for our members, including a recent trip to Panama in April 2025 with friend and colleague, Laurie Goodrich.

Sergio will be deeply missed by all of his friends at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and the countless friends whose lives he touched. We will remember him by continuing to work to understand and conserve raptors, honoring his legacy.