birds

CREEPY ANIMALS WEEK- DAY 2!

We’re excited for everyone to meet this creature of the night! When you’re all alone in the woods at the night, this bird’s haunting calls can seed a shiver up your spine! Whoooooo doe you think it is?

MEET THE GREAT HORNED OWL!!

   Range/Habitat: North America-South America/wood, fields, suburbs,

   swamps

   Diet: Carnivore: small mammals, birds

   Length/Weight: 18-20″/ 2- 5 1/2 lbs

   Conservation Status: Common

Fun Facts:

• Great horned owls have feathery tufts on their heads.
• They are the most abundant owl in the Americas.
• Great horned owls have no sense of smell. They are one of the only predators of skunks!
• Great horned owls are nocturnal.
• Male great horned owls are smaller than the females.
• Great horned owls form monogamous pairs.
• Great horned owls have amazing calls!

Great horned owls are one of most favorite owls! They have the best call ever! Every time we hear it, it gives us the chills and makes us want to tell spooky stories around a campfire! Who’s bringing the marshmallows?

FEATURED ANIMAL- COMMON RAVEN!

We’re excited to introduce this week’s Feature Animal! This black bird had a very famous poem written about it. They are associated with Halloween along with their cousin the crow! Do you know who this bird is evermore?

   Range/Habitat: North & Central America-Europe-Asia and North

Africa/woodlands, open fields and urban areas

   Diet: Omnivores: small mammals, insects, fruit

   Length/Weight: 26”/ 2 ½ lbs

   Conservation Status: Common

Fun Facts:

• Common Ravens are the largest member of the crow family in North Hemisphere.
• They are highly intelligent and very social.
• Common ravens have very large brains and are known to be great at problem solving.
• Common ravens mate for life. They can live up to 15 years old in the wild and have been known to live longer in captivity.
• They have large bills to eat many different types of prey.
• Common ravens are admired in many cultures. They are even kept by royalty at The Tower of London!

These beautiful birds are really smart and have adapted well to live near and around people! It’s easy to see why people love them so much with their haunting calls and shiny black feathers.

ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE STARS- CROWS!

Let us tell you, crows and their kin are some smart birds! They can do things you couldn’t even imagine! These clever birds are thought of as a bit scary at times, even in a group they are called a murder! We have a professor the University that is a crow- and he is a smart one, but so far not scary at all! Whew!

CROW STATS:

Range/Habitat: Worldwide/ farmland, parks, woodlands, suburbs
Diet: Omnivore: insects, carrion, seeds, eggs
Length/Weight: 16-21”/11-22 oz
Conservation Status: Common

Fun Facts:
• New Caledonian Crows use tools. They have also been known to make tools.
• One group of crows has learned to place nuts in the street and have cars crush open the nuts. They wait til the red light appears and then get their prize.
• They hide and store food and must remember where they stored it.
• Crows have a variety of calls and vocalizations. These calls vary by the region that the crows live in.
• Crows have been known to answer the calls of other species of birds.
• They can recognize human faces and remember them years later.
• Crows almost always live near humans.
• They can be very sneaky. One group of crows will even pull up fishing lines left by ice fishermen.

Crows are super smart! We can’t believe that they even recognize human faces, check out the study here! Not only could these birds remember the researchers, they eventually taught other crows that those researchers posed a threat! Wow! Remind us not to make any crows in our neighborhood mad! Here’s a video of the crows in Japan using cars to crack nuts! That is one smart cookie!

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL VULTURE AWARENESS DAY 2014!

We’re celebrating vultures today! We bet you aren’t ready for your International Vulture Day party are you? Well, we have you covered! We’ve got pictures, fun facts and even some recipes for vulture snacks! Let’s get this party started!

This is our pal Vinnie!

FUN VULTURE FACTS:
• There are 23 species of vultures in the world. Fourteen of them are listed as endangered.
• Vultures are classified as Old world (Europe, Asia, Africa) and New world (Americas).
• Recent DNA shows that Old world and New world vultures are not related and probably have different ancestors.
• Vultures eat carrion (dead animals). We like to call them the garbage birds of the world as they can eat things no other animal can.

 
• Vultures are social animals.
• A flock of vultures is called a kettle. We wonder if they drink a lot of tea?
• Vultures have an excellent sense of smell and sight!
• Vultures have featherless heads. This keeps them free of bacteria and parasites!
• Vultures also urinate on their legs to keep them cool and free of bacteria. Eeeeewwww!
• The Andean Condor is the largest species of vulture. They have a 9-10 foot wingspan!

 
• The Hooded condor is the smallest species of vulture. They are about the size of a crow.
• When threatened vultures throw up! Double eeeeeeeewww!!!

You can learn more about these amazing creatures and conservation efforts to protect them at the official International Vulture Awareness Day website! Many of these amazing birds are threatened or are facing extinction. The magnificent California Condor was brought back from the brink of extinction by concerted efforts of people! YAY!!

HAWKTALK

During the break here at the University, we wanted to repost a wonderful interview Edmond did with raptor rehabilitator, Monteen McCord of HawkTalk. Spring and summer are super busy for wildlife rescuers and rehabilitators, as this is when loads of baby animals are born. It’s also a time to learn more about the wonderful people who help these animals.

 SUPER HORSE TO THE WILDLIFE RESCUE!

Super Horse to the Wildlife Rescue interviewed Raptor Rehabilitator & Educator, Monteen McCord from Hawk Talk! Come learn about the great work she is doing to educate people about these special birds!

Edmond: How long have you been rehabilitating birds?

Ms. McCord: I met my first owl in 1983 at a vet clinic where I was employed.

Edmond: Neat! How did you get started rehabilitating birds?

Ms. McCord: My background is in surgical nursing, but got out of the human medical field and started working for a veterinarian.

Edmond: Animals do make more interesting patients. What does it take to become a wildlife rehabilitator?

Ms. McCord: The exams are very difficult to pass. It takes up a lot of time and even more resources and if you don’t have the full support and backing of your spouse/family members, you will have trouble.

We just loved this owl!

Edmond: Wow! It sounds like it takes a ton of hard work and passion! Do you rehab birds of all kinds or just raptors?

Ms. McCord: Yes, only raptors. I decided to target one group and get good at it. It’s been my experience that if you try to rehab everything, you’re not very good at any of it.

Great Horned Owl chick

 Edmond: Makes sense! What kind of birds do you have right now?

Ms. McCord: I have 4 rehab birds in hospital right now…all vehicle strikes – Great horned owl, barred owl, Screech owl and a Red-shouldered hawk. I have 6 that live with me full time.

Barred owl chick

Edmond: All of those birds must keep you busy. Do you release most of your birds back in the wild?

Ms. McCord: The release rate is about 50%. They have to be in tip-top shape to survive at the top of the food chain.

Edmond: Do you take your birds out for education programs?  If yes, how can a person/organization contact you to book a program?

Ms. McCord: HawkTalk generates funding for the charity in two ways; charitable contributions (we are a 501c3 not for profit organization) and program fees for educational programs for schools, civic organizations, scouts, nature centers, etc. You can call us at 770-720-1847. Email us  Monteen@hawktalk.org through the web site www.hawktalk.org. You can also ‘like’ us and contact us via FaceBook www.facebook.com/hawktalk.org  AND if that isn’t enough, you can also contact us via our YouTube channel  www.youtube.com/monteenmccord  Whew!  🙂

Educating students about owls!

 Edmond: Excellent! What message would you give people about keeping our wildlife safe?

Ms. McCord: Wildlife will continue to survive among us, regardless of where you live. I have songbird feeders and water sources, along with brush piles, so the little critters can have a safe place to hide and reproduce. I even offer my leftovers on the deck for the possums and raccoons overnight because it isn’t their fault that they have to eek out a living among us pesky humans…  🙂

Hawk getting help!

Edmond: Wow, the wildlife near you sure are lucky! What should a person do if they find an injured bird?

Ms. McCord: The bird might not be injured; it may just be young. Spring is when the majority of the baby songbirds and raptors (and small mammals) get accidentally orphaned by well-meaning people who don’t understand that young birds leave the nest before they can fly. Their parents are nearby to hear their food calls and will bring them food, provide a modicum of security and do the necessary coaching. When I acquired cats, I removed my bluebird house for that very reason…I know that the cats would just wait at the base of the feeder for dinner to jump out. The young are very vulnerable when they first leave the nest, but the universe made it that way to improve the gene pool and young birds of prey exemplify the phrase, ‘survival of the fittest’! You can put some gloves on and put the baby songbird up under a bush, but chances are, they won’t stay very long. Gloves are needed not because the mother bird will smell you and abandon the babe, for they don’t have a sense of smell, but you do leave your scent behind for other predators.

We have had great success in re-nesting young owls and hawks if we know where the nest is. Installing artificial baskets on or near the nest tree works just great as long as the parents can hear the food call, they will locate the babe’s new digs and rear them from there.

Hanging the wicker basket filled with leaves and twigs, making sure there are no ants. The nest tree is nearby.

Owl in a basket.

Hanging the basket in the tree.

Human intervention is needed if you see a bird that is obviously drooping one wing or is non-weight bearing. Keep in mind that birds rest on one foot, so it will take some observation on your part to determine if the bird is indeed injured, or merely resting. If you need to pick up an injured, you can poke some holes in a cardboard box and upend it over the bird. Slide something flat under it and gently turn the box right sight up. Tape the lid down rather than the figure 8 because you don’t want to put your hands down in a box with an injured raptor, especially, if it’s lying on his back. The toes are strong enough to bury the talons up to the hilt on whatever flesh they come in contact with, so you need to take the utmost care in capturing them. I prefer the box method because you will avoid physical contact with the bird, which makes it safer for all concerned. You can also throw a jacket or blanket over them, but you won’t know where their feet are and the feet and the business end and if the bird binds to you, you will probably end up killing the bird to get the talons out of you. Not fun…has only happened to me twice since ’83. All it takes is to be a half second faster than they are and you’re good to go.  J People in Georgia can go over to www.georgiawildlife.org and click on ‘how to find a wildlife rehabilitator’. Click down to whatever category critter you have and start with your county and radiate out from there. Other residents contact your local Department of Natural Resources or Game and Fish Commission in assistance in finding a licensed person to help.

Owl chicks Monteen worked to reintroduce into the wild!

Owl chicks in the trees- learning to be owls!

Edmond: Whew that is some great information! We know people always ask as spring arrives what to do with baby birds! Thanks so much for taking the time to inform us! And THANK YOU for being a Wildlife Super Hero! Your hard work and dedication to animals are a real inspiration!

If you would like to donate to HawkTalk please check out the website! Monteen is always needing mouse money! Those baby owls eat a bunch!

Day 36- Secretary Bird

We woke up this morning at camp and saw these amazing cool birds running around in the cool temperatures. We quickly ran to our guide book and realized we were watching the magnificent secretary bird.  We watch them all morning. These long legged birds are graceful and funny and so interesting…

Range/Habitat: Sub-Saharan Africa/grasslands, desert and savannahs

Diet: Carnivore: snakes, large insects, frogs, lizards and small mammals

Height/Weight: 4 ½ ft-5ft/ 5 ½ – 10lb

Conservation Status: Common

• Secretary birds are diurnal (they’re active during the day) and nests in Acacia trees at night.
• They have long powerful legs that they use for striking prey.
• It’s thought that they were named after English secretaries because the crests on their heads look like quills that secretaries used to write with, but it’s now thought that is it comes from an Arabic word meaning “hunter bird”.
• Secretary birds walk more than they fly. They can walk up to 15 miles a day in search of food.
• It is admired in Africa for its hunting skills, especially its ability to kill venomous snakes.
• It’s even part of the Coat of Arms for South Africa.

The Secretary bird is one excellent predator! We love a bird that walks all day (elephants walk lots too).

Day #35 (6/2/2014) Southern Ground Hornbill

After taking a short traveling break to help establish the University of Ellie and Edmond. Whew- it is hard work starting up all these ways to learn about animals! We decided to finally hit the road on another adventure. We went on a quick jaunt to the African savanna to watch birds. We spotted a small family of these birds and loved them so much we had them as Guess the Animal yesterday! Come learn about these intelligent birds!

Their range/habitat: Southern-Eastern Africa/woodlands, savanna
Their length/weight: 102 cm/ 2.2- 6 kg” Conservation Status: vulnerable
Their diet: Carnivores– arthropods, lizards, snakes

• Southern Ground Hornbills are the largest hornbill species in the world.
• They have a red patch on their face and throat, female have a purple spot on their red throat.
• Southern ground hornbills spend most of their time on the ground.
• Southern ground hornbills have a low flute like call.
• They can live up to 60 years.
• Southern ground hornbills live in small groups.

We had an amazing day watching these birds walk around the savanna looking for prey to eat. Occasionally they spread their wings out to absorb the warmth of the sun. The best part is that there is lively pair living at our local zoo. When we start to reminisce about our trip today we can go visit that pair and pretend we’re here in Africa.
-Ellie and Edmond

Happy International Migratory Bird Day!

Ruby throated hummingbird

We  just love birds! Birds are pollinators (hummingbirds), seed dispersers (robins)  and they help control rodent and insect populations (raptors and other birds). Some birds also travel and spend part of their year in a different habitat. This traveling is called migration.   Some birds only migrate a short distance and others like the arctic tern can migrate thousands of miles.

arctic tern

Some birds like raptors migrate during the day, while others like song birds migrate at night to avoid predators. Birds use the wind, sun, land forms and the stars to help them navigate. So why do birds migrate? Birds migrate for resources; food, shelter and mating. For people who love birds, migration routes during spring and fall are great times to see birds who are just making a pit stop on their way. It is crucial for these habitats to stay so the birds have a place to rest and eat.

Sandhill crane

So what can you do to help our bird friends?

• Pick up trash! Birds often digest trash and or get entangled in it!
• Make your yard a bird friendly place- add a bird bath (that is cleaned regularly), put out bird feeders with different types of feed.
• Grab a birding guide book and learn what birds live in your area and which ones migrate through.
• Tell others about the birds that you love!

Check out Birdday.org for more great information, games and activities! Trust us- we spent loads of time on here!

We’re going to spend the day looking for birds in a park near HQs! How are you going to celebrate our feathery flying friends?