We Take All Questions Seriously

Close-up of an Ostrich seen on our Ostrich farm tour

Last November I took a cruise to the Caribbean, Panama, and Costa Rica.  This trip was truly an amazing experience.  Since this cruise was on a large cruise ship it was not very environmentally oriented, so when looking at side trips I took trips that would get me outside, and might have the highest probability of seeing birds

Another of the Ostriches seen on our tour

One of the most interesting trips was to an Ostrich Farm in Curacao.  The area was beautiful!  When we arrived, they had an open-air truck with shaded benches for us to ride on for the tour. 

The information they gave us about the ostriches was very interesting.  At the ostrich farm these birds are being raised for food – the part I found the most interesting was that they find ways to use every part of the bird, and nothing goes to waste.

Ostrich chicks hatched at the farm

I found that the most entertaining part of this whole trip was listening to the questions the adults presented – in particular there were two questions that made me sit up straight in my seat.  The first was, “Do you clip the birds’ wings to keep them from flying away?”  The second was, “Do ostriches nest in trees?”

 

After a quick review of these questions I realized that not everyone grows up being exposed to the natural world around them as I was, and these are the people we most need to reach.

Juveniles in their natural environment in the Masai Mara

At World Bird Sanctuary we take every question asked of us very seriously.  It may be obvious to most that Ostriches are flightless and therefore don’t need their wings clipped.  It also may be obvious to most that Ostriches nest on the ground.  However, if you don’t take all questions seriously, and someone gets hurt because you think they should already know something, then the person asking may shy away from asking other questions and lose future opportunities to learn.  If all are informed properly about birds, their newly acquired knowledge can only help WBS toward its mission to preserve all the world’s birds in their natural environments.

Submitted by Cathy Spahn, World Bird Sanctuary Field Studies Coordinator

International Vulture Awareness Day

We love vultures!  Do you?

Join us on Saturday, September 4^th, as we celebrate International Vulture Awareness Day 2010!

Dorothy, an Andean Condor that will be on display, has a wingspan of 10ft and a beak strong enough to rip through seal and whale hide.

Ewwww, Vultures are Gross!  But we need them the most!  Find out more at World Bird Sanctuary as we take part in the international celebration of all things vulture. 

·      Kids will love the Vulture Knowledge Test Table and the scavenger hunt, with prizes.

·      Shows featuring vultures and other animals, as well as music from the Raptor Project.

·      Special vulture exhibits, including Turkey Vultures and an Andean Condor (on public display for the first time at World Bird Sanctuary).

Turkey Vultures are native to Missouri.

Date: September 4^th, 2010

Time: 10am – 3pm

Vulture shows: 11.30am and 2pm

Activities: Scavenger Hunt, Activities Table, Prizes!

Admission and parking is free!

Sponsored by AmerenUE.

Good day, Lords and Ladies!

  It’s that time of year again…

…beautiful fall weather, funny costumes, and a World Bird Sanctuary van driving back and forth repeatedly to Kansas City for the K.C. Renaissance Faire.  We are known as the “King’s Falconers,” and visitors often tell us that we are their favorite reason to come back to the Faire year after year.  The World Bird Sanctuary has been doing raptor shows at this Faire for over 20 years and I think it is one our most enjoyable traditions.

Me (Dana Lambert) with our young Peregrine Falcon Millenium, volunter Jennifer Jones with our grey phase Screech Owl Twig, and longtime beloved volunteer John Kinsey who passed away suddenly in December with Dewey the Bateleur Eagle, who also passed away earlier this year

Now, this is not to say that it’s all fun and games to do shows in this setting.  You have to learn how to get up and down from benches and fly birds in your crazy outfit, which for most of us involves big sleeves and long skirts, without falling over.  People are always standing all around your stage, which is something we can discourage at most of our flying programs.  At Faire, however, that is simply impossible.  Pets and other animals are not allowed at our programs under normal circumstances.  This too is a special Faire circumstance that a naturalist must learn to safely deal with, as dogs, chickens, parrots, and ferrets are just a few of the creatures who have tried to visit our shows with their owners!  Oh, and like any time of year in the Midwest….the “beautiful” fall weather isn’t really always beautiful!

All these things aside, I love my time at the Renaissance Faire.  In fact, these challenges are how many new staff, interns, volunteers, and even new birds, have learned to be adaptable and think on their feet.  These kinds of scenarios teach us how to do better, more entertaining shows and be better at our jobs in general.  Because of that, Ren Faire is something I feel as many of our staff and volunteers as possible should experience at least once.

Whether you’ve never seen a presentation by our naturalists or you’re a frequent visitor to our site and events, I encourage you to come out to Kansas City and see what Renaissance Faire is all about.  The shows out there are unlike any others we do, you won’t be disappointed!

Renfaire begins Labor Day weekend and runs through October 17th.  For more information click here.

If you can’t make it out to K.C. this season, you can catch the “King’s Falconers” at the Wentzville Renaissance Faire in May, as well as back in Kansas City starting Labor Day weekend 2011. 

Huzzah and Godspeed to ye all!

Submitted by Dana Lambert, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Meet the Vultures

In the United States, turkey vultures are often seen along the side of the road eating roadkill or soaring high in the sky looking for carrion.  The only other vulture you may see in the U.S. is the black vulture.  These are two of the seven species of New World vultures (family Cathartidae) that inhabit North and South America.  California Condors and Andean Condors are also of the seven in this grouping.  At the World Bird Sanctuary, turkey vultures can be seen on our display line and you may also see our newest education turkey vulture, Kinsey, at our Nature Center.

Me (Sara Oliver) with our young Turkey Vulture, Kinsey

Dorothy our Andean Condor will make her debut appearance on International Vulture Awareness Day on Saturday September 4^th at the sanctuary!

Dorothy, our young Andean Condor

There are sixteen species of Old World vultures (family Accipitridae) that inhabit Africa, Europe, and Asia.  This family also includes eagles, kites, and hawks.  Old World vultures find carrion exclusively by sight, whereas several species of New World vultures, especially turkey vultures, are able to find the dead with a sense of smell, which is unusual for birds of prey. 

Vultures are scavengers.  They are Mother Nature’s garbage crew.  They consume dead, rotting animals which are often infected with bacteria that could kill most other animals.   Thus, vultures prevent disease from spreading to other animals.  They do not become sick from the carrion they consume because vultures have a very acidic stomach, with a pH of around 1.  (On the pH scale 7 is considered neutral – 0 to 1 is the range for battery acid).  This allows them to safely digest putrid meat infected with botulism, hog cholera, and anthrax bacteria.  Vultures keep our forests, grass plains, and savannas healthy.  Without them we could be deep in an accumulation of rancid carcasses.

Fred, our Hooded Vulture

Unfortunately, vulture populations have been dwindling, to the extent that some are termed nearly extinct, endangered or vulnerable.  For example, the Cape Griffon Vulture is listed as a species vulnerable to extinction.  Native to a small range in south and southwest Africa, these vultures face dangers such as electrocution on power lines.  Of more concern, mass amounts of vultures are killed at one time through accidental poisonings.  It is common for farmers and ranchers in parts of Africa to poison the bodies of dead livestock in order to kill predators like leopards and jackals which also prey on their live animals.  The vultures gather in large groups to feast on this free banquet.  One carcass can attract 50 to 500 birds leading to high death toll all at once.  Researchers have begun applying satellite telemetry collars to these birds to track their movements and give information on the sources of contaminants in their range.

In India, Pakistan and Nepal, vultures are dying when they consume dead livestock that had been treated with a pain relieving drug called diclofenac.  The drug is harmless to humans, but it causes kidney failure in vultures.  They are in steep decline in south Asia, and as a result more carcasses are piling up and feral dogs and rats are increasing in numbers, feeding on the waste the vultures would have eaten.  As the number of feral dogs increase, so do rabies and the number of people bitten by a rabid dog.  The only thing that can stop this slippery slope is the ban of diclofenac.

The California condor is labeled as critically endangered.  The threats they face include lead poisoning from eating animals containing lead bullets, collisions with electric power lines, habitat destruction, and poaching.  In some parts of the western United States, this species was driven to the brink of extinction by cattle ranchers who observed condors feeding on dead calves and assumed the birds had killed them.  Conservation efforts for this species include a captive breeding program and release of captive-reared adolescents.

Another conservation effort being done to help these birds is “vulture restaurants” where fresh and poison-free carcasses of livestock or wild mammals are put out for vultures to enjoy. 

Efforts to protect vultures require cooperation and support at international, national, regional and individual levels.  You can help in this cause.  Support conservation organizations and breeding programs for endangered vulture species.  Do not use poison to kill wildlife.  Eliminate pesticide use.  Do not use lead bullets when hunting.  Recycle forest products to decrease the need to cut down trees in which vultures roost.  And, lastly, report roadkill so it can be removed to protect vultures from being hit by cars. 

Join us for International Vulture Awareness Day at the World Bird Sanctuary on Saturday, September 4^th from 10 am to 3 pm!  As always, admission and parking are free.  International Vulture Awareness Day is sponsored by AmerenUE.

Submitted by Sara Oliver, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Animal Noises

We pulled the pin on a Barred Owl recently – the one that was hit by the Wentzville Fire Truck .  The pin held the bones of its broken wing together while it healed.  The time had come for the pin to be removed.  The owl (named “Maltese”) whined a little as the pin was unscrewed out of the bone.

We hear the sick, wild birds vocalize in rehab every day – experience has taught us that each of these noises has different meanings.  Sometimes it is a quiet whimper as the bird weakly resists being handled or medicated when it first comes into the hospital.   Sometimes it is an aggressive, ear-piercing yell – like the sound of an eagle that does not want to be restrained for its daily medication for the eighth day in a row!

Many birds are so weak when first admitted they cannot even hold themselves up, let alone make any sounds

We also hear the sounds of success.  When a young or injured bird’s whimper changes over time as it gets stronger, and it finds its voice to hiss and squawk – almost as if to say, “Leave me alone, I’m better now!”  At least that’s what I think they are saying to me.

“Maltese” in the physical therapy flight cage, displaying a defensive posture and hissing – a positive sign of recovery.

Please be the voice of those who are seldom heard – tell your friends, family and politicians that you care about wildlife and the environment.  When we all become the voice of those who cannot speak we can make a difference – we can’t help but be heard!

Submitted by Joe Hoffmann, Sanctuary Manager, World Bird Sanctuary.

Birds In Concert Closes With a Bang!

Our last Birds in Concert performance closed with a bang on Thursday night with the rock and roll rhythms of The Rebounds.

Our sincere thanks to all those faithful fans who showed up to support WBS, and our Raptor Project and guest performers, despite hundred degree temperatures and threatening weather.  Also, a huge, heartfelt "Thank You" to Javier Mendoza, A Little Rhythm, and The Rebounds--the generous entertainers who have donated their time and talents to make this event a success.  All proceeds from the Birds in Concert series support our Wildlife Hospital and help to treat the more than 350 patients admitted every year.

We couldn't do what we do without you, our loyal supporters, and we hope our concert series has made this a memorable summer for you and your family members.   Hopefully, in the years to come, when your children and grandchildren are gathered  at a family event their reminiscences will begin...."Do you remember when we were little, and mom and dad (or grandma and grandpa) took us to those WBS concerts where they flew the birds?  I think that's where I first learned to appreciate wildlife...."

If you hear a comment like that, then we will have done our jobs--environmental education.  And, you will have done your jobs--making family memories.

Bags for Birds Ordering Deadline Extended

We have been experiencing problems with this link - it has now been restored.  Please click here to order.  Thank you for your patience!


Need a birthday gift?  Do you like to avoid the crowds when shopping?  Then "Bags for Birds" is the perfect solution for you.

Jennie Hible of Thirty One gifts has generously donated proceeds from the sale of the World Bird Sanctuary “Bags for Birds” fundraiser to go directly to the treatment and care of birds in our Wildlife Hospital.

Deadline for ordering has been extended to August 30, so, order your bags/purses/totes today!

Click here  and select Place an Order along the top tabs, then select Shop Now next to World Bird Sanctuary fundraiser.

Happy Shopping!

Submitted by Catherine Redfern, World Bird Sanctuary Director of Development

Birds In Concert - The Rebounds

Our fourth and final Birds in Concert for this year features a group new to our stage – The Rebounds.

The Rebounds are a mesh of four musicians who bring their own personality to the stage. Each band member's personality is forged by experience, technique, and a passion for making good music. Their individual qualities bring a fresh spice to the music. When you blend jazz, classical, punk, and reggae, the result is a balanced flavor of rock-n-roll that appeals and pleases. Listeners can expect a superb craft and solid beat from the decades of experience each musician possesses.

We expect this new group to have the audience rocking and rolling in their seats!

 A Barn Owl swooping overhead as the band plays on

Of course, we will also have performances by our ever popular in-house band, The Raptor Project, whose performance may be accompanied by flying birds, snake parades, a dancing DoDo, kids from the audience, performing Pelicans, and possibly our latest addition—Rustle the Armadillo.  You never  know what to expect at a Raptor Project performance!

 Meet our dancing DoDo

So, bring your chairs, blankets, coolers and picnic baskets—or just bring yourselves, sit in our bleacher style seating, and enjoy hot dogs and snacks purchased from our snack stand. 

Plan on fun, family entertainment served up World Bird Sanctuary style!


Admission and parking are free!

Mark your calendars!

When?  Thursday, August  26

What Time?  7:00 p.m.

Where?  The World Bird Sanctuary Amphitheater


For directions to our site Click Here.

For the safety of our other guests and our performing animals--please no pets.

Birds In Concert is sponsored by Ameren UE

Interesting Pigeon History

I’d be willing to guess that very few people have ever heard of “Project Pigeon”.  I sure hadn’t, but I discovered it when I was at the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. recently.  It’s really quite interesting!

In 1939, a behavioral psychologist named Burrhus Frederic Skinner wondered if birds could be used as kamikaze pilots for bombs.  This thought occurred during the beginnings of WWII, when the Germans had bombed Warsaw.  Skinner decided to work with pigeons because they have better vision than humans, are faster in movements, can distinguish colors, don’t get airsick and are easily handled.

He first trained them to peck at a specific picture/target by rewarding them with food when they hit the target with their beak.  He also trained them to be comfortable in a harness while they pecked at the target and ate their rewards.  When they had learned this, he progressed to training the pigeons to ‘steer’ their bomb.  Skinner designed a system that had moving pairs of lightweight rods around the pigeon’s neck.  When the bird lifted or lowered its head, it closed electrical contacts to operate a hoist.  When it moved its head from side to side, the hoist moved back and forth.  Skinner would push the whole thing across the room and the birds learned to guide it straight towards the target, finally receiving its reward at the end.  The pecking itself was transmitted as electrical signals to a control center.  When the image of the target started to move off center, the pigeons would peck frantically to bring the device back on track (and to get their reward!)

In June of 1941, Skinner brought his idea and research to the National Defense Research Committee (NDRC), but was told ‘no’.  After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Skinner filmed his pigeons in action and went back to the NDRC.  This time they showed a little interest, but still thought it was a long shot.  Another gentleman, A.D. Hyde, the head of the mechanical division in General Mills Inc., thought the idea was sound and decided to help Skinner.  Hyde convinced his company to back the project.

In June of 1943, after refining the system and updating the apparatus, Skinner won a contract with the government for “Project Pigeon”.  He worked with 64 pigeons, training them extensively to guide their bomb, even with wartime distractions such as gunfire or other loud noises nearby, high altitude (10,000 ft), bright flashes, simulated shell bursts, massive G forces and, the worst potential distraction of all, pigeons of the opposite sex.  Nothing deterred those military pigeons from their duty!

Unfortunately for Skinner, and perhaps fortunately for his pigeons, in September of 1943 the German government used missiles controlled by radio to wreak havoc on the American fleet landing soldiers in Salerno.  By October of 1944, the American government decided that their funding should go towards figuring out how to copy the German ingenuity and not towards the pigeons.  Skinner was out.  And so were the pigeons.  But it is a fascinating bit of history that I know I never learned in school.  If you want to learn more, there is a great article at www.historynet.com.

Submitted by Laura MacLeod, World Bird Sanctuary Education Coordinator

Yoga At World Bird Sanctuary

Yoga comes to World Bird Sanctuary on Sunday, September 12th, 2010!

Linda Jones, Instructor/Owner of Yoga to Go Studio, is volunteering her time to lead a yoga class at World Bird Sanctuary.

If you'd like to join us for Yoga with the birds, click here to find out more!

A Little Rhythm

Third “Birds In Concert” scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, August 12.

Our own in-house band, The Raptor Project 

Despite the blistering temperatures and an early evening thunderstorm that blew through the St. Louis area last Thursday, our second “Birds In Concert” was a huge success!

Last week’s featured performer, Javier Mendoza, never fails to draw a crowd, and a great time was had by all.  To find out where you can see and hear more of this great performer Click Here.

The fabulous Javier Mendoza

This week’s featured artist is A Little Rhythm, and is completely new to our stage.  According to the weather service, temperatures will range in the mid-eighties for our next performance, and skies will be clear.

Rifle, the Harris' Hawk, swooping over the audience

So plan to join us this Thursday, August 19, for our third Birds in Concert performance and help us welcome A Little Rhythm to our stage.

Children in the audience help to tell the story of the DoDo

Of course, as our veteran spectators will tell you, you can expect the unexpected from our own in-house band’s Raptor Project performance. The Raptor Project performances may be accompanied by anything from our talented birds swooping low overhead, to a snake parade, to a dancing DoDo, or a performing Pelican.  Children are often invited to become part of the act as our dancing DoDo and the Raptor Project's "Don't Be A DoDo" tell the story of what happened to the DoDo bird.

All ages enjoy our concerts

Mark your calendars for a rocking good time:

Thursday, August 19

7:00 p.m.

Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets to spread on the lawn seating area if they like.  Seating is bleacher style.  For directions to our site Click Here.

Food and beverages such as hot dogs, nachos, snacks and soda will be available for purchase.

ADMISSION AND PARKING ARE FREE!

For the safety of our other guests and our animals, please no pets.

Birds In Concert is sponsored by Ameren UE

How do you celebrate someone's Life?

How do you celebrate someone's Life?

Certainly there are many ways, but I will mention one. Recently, early July 2010, a friend who is a sponsor of World bird Sanctuary had his 90 plus year old Mother die. He wanted to do something special in remembrance of his Mom and to commemorate her passing.

He chose to have WBS release Homing Pigeons near his Mom's graveside during or just after the funeral prayers. Perhaps the birds lifting up into the sky could help signify the passing of her spirit. Many Christians believe that when the earthly body ceases to function that the spirit lives on. Maybe I'm one of those people.

The above photo shows the release baskets full of birds. The birds are trained and exercised every day, and will return home to the World Bird Sanctuary after release.

After the Minister gave a lovely tribute to my friend’s mother it was time for the bird release. The birds burst forth from the baskets and rose quickly into the sky. They circled the cemetery three times and then took off for home. The birds looked just beautiful!  It seemed a fitting tribute to a long full life.

Later, after saying goodbye to my friend and his family, I drove back to the World Bird Sanctuary.  My goal was to put the release baskets back into the loft.  Upon my arrival most of the birds had already beaten me back to their loft.  I was able to jump out of the car and snap a picture of one of the later birds coming in for a landing.  If you’ll look on the right side of the picture you will see a bird with its wings raised as it drops in for a landing. The bird made it home. I like to believe this return home is a symbol of my friend’s mother’s safe journey into the afterlife.

If you are interested in commemorating a special person or event, and live within 35 miles of St. Louis Missouri, our birds would like to help in your celebration of life.

Call 636-225-4390 extension 0 to schedule a bird release for your special person.

I felt privileged to help my friend celebrate his Mom's Life.

Submitted by Mike Zieloski, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

SPRUNG’S SPRING BABY HAWKS FROM CERTAIN DEATH

What are these two Cooper's Hawks doing reclining on a local suburban patio bench?  Read on for the amazing story.

 I took the call late Friday morning, 4 June.  

A woman on the other end said, “A hawk nest has blown out of a tree in my back yard.  Two of the babies died when they hit the ground, and one has survived.  What should I do?”

 Admittedly, I was skeptical of whether or not the birds were hawks.  WBS has permits to rehabilitate only birds of prey.  After asking all the questions to narrow down what the woman had, I concluded the youngsters were in fact hawks, and probably Cooper’s Hawks (one of my favorite birds of prey in the world).  

Because our rehabilitation department continues to operate on a shoestring budget, we do not have the ways or means to drive and pick up downed raptors.  I asked the woman if she could bring the hawk to us, stating I would coach her on how to safely acquire the hawk.  “I’ve just had surgery on my hand, my husband’s at work, I have no neighbors to help me, and I don’t want my son or daughter to handle the bird.  Please, you must help me.”

 As cruel as it might sound, in most instances we must say, “I’m very sorry, but we cannot do anything.”  Back when we used to do pick-ups, there were so many instances where, a) we got bad directions and never even got to the place the bird was down; b) the bird was a sparrow and not a hawk; or c) we got to the destination and the person who called us would say, “The bird was just right here a minute ago.”  Too much time and money was wasted attempting to do pick-ups that proved to be futile.  Still, something about this plea stuck in my mind, and the fact the baby was probably a Cooper’s Hawk is probably what pushed me over the edge.  I said, “I have to be away from headquarters later on today.  I’ll call you when I’m out and you can tell me if the bird is still in your back yard.  If it is, I’ll come out.”  After many sincere thank you’s, Amy (I finally did get her name) hung up.

 Later on that afternoon I drove up the driveway of a pretty home in a nice neighborhood.  When I rang the doorbell a young man and 2 bouncing dogs answered the door (I’m a dog man, so score 2 more for these concerned people).  Amy was close behind.  When I tried to shake Amy’s hand she could only extend her left hand because 2 fingers on her right hand were in thick bandages.  I was becoming very glad I did this pick-up.  Again, many sincere “thank you’s” were extended for me driving out.

 Amy, her son, daughter, and dogs showed me through the house and out the back door.  There, laying on a big rock by their pool was a baby, female Cooper’s Hawk.  By my best estimate she was about 15 days old.  Amy showed me the sticks from the downed nest and pointed out 2 other baby hawks, about 30 feet up in a Pin Oak.  Luckily they were just strong enough to hold onto branches as the nest came down (I thought to myself that if the wind blows too hard, those little guys are coming down, too).  They were probably the oldest of the 5, and probably the youngest 2 of the clutch were the ones that died when they fell. 

The little female Cooper's Hawk, WBS Assistant Director Jeff Meshach, and Nicholas Sprung

This young female I now had in my hands flew just well enough during the unfortunate event to flutter, but not crash to the ground.  I was glad to see she had no injury, but I quickly concluded she would not be strong enough to be placed on a branch 10 to 12 feet off the ground.  If baby hawks are old enough and strong enough to perch well, we instruct the people calling to get the bird more than 8 feet off the ground so raccoons and other ground predators cannot find them, and mom and dad hawks will still care for the youngsters.  Of course, it’s way better to let the parents continue to care for their kids than bringing the babies into captivity, especially if there’s no injury. 

For better or worse, this feisty female would have to come with me, but I promised Amy I would be back in about 5 days, when she could fly and perch better, to release her.  Not only did Amy thank me for coming out, she donated money to help us help the baby.  It’s important to note that our rehabilitation department works almost solely on donations, so when any bird is brought in a donation of at least $25 goes a long way toward its care and medical expenses.

On Saturday, 5 June, I got a call from Mike Sprung, husband of Amy.  Just as I had suspected, the other 2 hawks that were still in the tree the day before had fluttered to the ground.  Before I could say, “I’ll be right out,” Mike asked if there was anything he could do to care for the hawks.  In most cases we say no, but I did have an idea.  I asked Mike if he had a basket he could tie a rope to, throw the rope over a branch, place the babies in the basket and haul the contraption off the ground; viola, an instant, makeshift nest.  

The other two baby Cooper's Hawks in their makeshift nest

Mike had an even better idea.  He took a portable basketball hoop/backboard, tied the bottom of the net so nothing could fall through, placed a blanket at the bottom of the net and stuck some sticks from the downed nest through the nylon net to make an even more stable nest than my idea.  Mike pulled the portable “Cooper’s Hawk Nest” into his back yard, placed the 2 babies in it and within a few minutes mommy Cooper’s Hawk came in and fed her kids.

 WBS Assistant Director Jeff Meshach places the little female in the makeshift nest with her two siblings

I arrived back at the Sprung’s at 10:30, Monday morning, 7 June with the young female I had to take away.  I tried shaking Amy’s hand (habit).  After posing for some pictures and marveling at Mike Sprung’s artificial nest building ingenuity, I lowered the “nest”, placed the female in it and pushed it back to its highest setting.  I wish all birds we have to take into our rehabilitation department could be saved as easily as this one.

 WBS Assistant Director Jeff Meshach watches on as the three Cooper's Hawks settle into their unorthodox "nest"

Our sincere thanks goes out to Mike, Amy, Nicholas and Natalie Sprung for helping to save the lives of three Cooper’s Hawk kids.

So now you know "the rest of the story".  Even though these three suburban birds (the third one took off just before this photo was snapped) are every bit "wild" birds, they clearly view patio furniture as just another part of their environment.

Submitted by Jeff Meshach, World Bird Sanctuary Assistant Director

Have You Ordered Yours Yet?

Need a birthday gift?  Do you like to avoid the crowds when shopping?  Then "Bags for Birds" is the perfect solution for you.

Jennie Hible of Thirty One gifts has generously donated proceeds from the sale of the World Bird Sanctuary “Bags for Birds” fundraiser to go directly to the treatment and care of birds in our Wildlife Hospital.

This fundraiser closes on August 27, so, order your bags/purses/totes today!

Click here  and select Place an Order along the top tabs, then select Shop Now next to World Bird Sanctuary fundraiser.

Happy Shopping!

Submitted by Catherine Redfern, World Bird Sanctuary Director of Development