Peregrine Webcam Now On-Line

Peregrine Project Continues Mission of Helping Nature Take Flight
Nesting Activity Available for Viewing on Webcam

St. Louis, Mo., (March 13, 2012) — Ameren Missouri, in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the World Bird Sanctuary (WBS), has once again provided a nesting box for Peregrine Falcons at the Sioux Energy Center. For the first time, the activity in the nest can be viewed online. Officials from MDC and WBS will offer ongoing commentary on what’s happening in the nest and a video camera near the nest will provide live feeds to each organization’s website.

“The Peregrine Falcon has made an incredible comeback from the brink of extinction. What we will see at Ameren Missouri’s Sioux Energy Center nest box is the fruit of tens of thousands of hours of labor to make the Peregrine Falcon a common sight again,” Jeff Meshach, director of the World Bird Sanctuary, said. “Yet, there is always something to learn about any of our world's birds and animals. Our camera will provide a window into the nesting life of the world's fastest creature, and I personally will find it hard to get any desk work done as I watch my favorite of the world's bird species.”

“We have worked on projects with the World Bird Sanctuary for more than 25 years to help preserve the biological diversity of the world around us,” said Richard Mark, Senior Vice President, Customer Operations, for Ameren Missouri. “The Peregrine Falcon project has been one of the most exciting projects we’ve been involved in, and this year via video, we’re able to share with visitors to our website the amazing lives these birds lead in raising their young. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to being responsible stewards of the environment.”

The nest can be viewed on Ameren Missouri’s website at AmerenMissouri.com/FalconWatch.  Viewers can link to the falcon camera on the websites of WBS at www.worldbirdsanctuary.org and MDC at www.mdc.mo.gov.

The falcon nesting at the Sioux Energy Center this year was first spotted in the beginning of February. Since then, researchers at WBS and MDC have been following the bird’s habits daily and are posting their observations on the website as updates warrant. Peregrine falcons have been seen at Sioux since early 2011.

The websites will be available until nesting activity is complete and the mother’s young have left the nest.

““This peregrine project will help Missourians discover nature right in the nest of these amazing raptors,” Bob Ziehmer, MDC director, said. “The project illustrates the power of partnerships between private and public sector organizations to help conserve native wildlife.”

The Rookie Files: Hey Buddy, Buddy, Buddy

When I first arrived four years ago at the World Bird Sanctuary in the cold, wintery month of February I was but an intern.  I had a healthy respect and certain degree of caution towards the birds of prey that I was working with, and was ready to learn ways to handle them safely.  What I wasn't prepared for was the parrots.

Roxanne, a Blue and Gold Macaw, shows off her intimidating beak 

During my time as an intern I was always more afraid of working with the parrots than with the birds of prey.  Razor sharp talons and feet that could bruise or break bones did not scare me as much as beaks that could break my fingers.  Parrot beaks have, on average, over one thousand pounds per square inch of pressure.  This comes in handy when cracking open nuts for food in the wild.  It only takes seven pounds to break a human finger. 

Being quite fond of my fingers (and eardrums--a macaw scream can be heard for two city blocks!), I avoided working with the parrots whenever possible. All around me I saw staff members interacting with parrots, cueing for kisses and waves, sometimes being preened by the birds, and quite frankly thought that all of them were crazy.  I could understand that after a parrot gets to know a person, being a social animal they want attention and are even able to show some affection, but the thought of putting a parrot beak (1,000 pounds psi!) near my face seemed like the most insane idea on the planet.  I was content to let everyone else be crazy with the parrots and I would remain safely out of biting range--thank-you very much!

Buddy, assuming his typical "leave me alone" warning stance 

That all changed with Buddy.  Buddy is a Double Yellow-headed Amazon Parrot, and due to circumstances that occurred before we rescued him, not terribly fond of people.  He had a select few humans that he would work for, and one that he loved.  I was not even really on his radar, nor did I want to be as he had quite the reputation.  Little by little though he began whistling to me.   Sometimes I would hear him coo or honk when I left the room.  I noticed that his tail stopped flaring and his head feathers no longer resembled the head of a triceratops when I was nearby. 

Buddy's "happy tail" 

I found all this odd and asked his primary trainer (who he loved) what the heck was going on.  That is when I learned that I had been chosen by Buddy--given my sentiment towards parrots, this did not thrill me!  Buddy, however, is like a fungus and he grows on you.  After a while I would coo back or ask him to do some of his simpler behaviors.  To protect my wrist and lower arm I donned three sweatshirts in mid-June, so that I could learn how to pick him up properly.  Before I knew it I was his new favorite--a position that required me to adopt a new outlook on parrots or let Buddy become bored. 

 Buddy shows off his "cuteness" factor

Now I am one of those crazy parrot interacters.  I use the high voice, ask for kisses, and spend extra time with them.  At our behind the scenes area I am the go-to person for parrot questions from the volunteers and interns on behaviors, cueing, learning how to read their body language, etc.  It is quite the switch from where I started out four years ago.

Buddy has taught me many things over the years.  I learned how to read and interpret parrot body language from watching him, how parrots display affection and how they gain confidence in trying something new.  We’ve had a few bumps along the way--Buddy is not a big fan of being left without one of his favorite trainers for a long time--but I love this little bird. 

 I can't believe I am now the person teaching interns and volunteers how to read Parrot body language

Perhaps the most important thing Buddy has taught me is that sometimes you don’t choose the birds--they choose you.

Submitted by Leah Tyndall, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist/Trainer

Calling all Creative Bird Lovers!

Are you a writer?  A poet?  A sculptor?  A photographer?  A musician?  A painter?  A singer?  A wood carver?

Do you appreciate birds?  Have you ever wondered, "What do they do all day . . .?" as they fly overhead or forage in the trees?


Enter our "What Do They Do All Day . . . " Creative Contest?

We are accepting entries in any creative medium of your choice (as long as it conforms to the size and format specified on the entry form) in four age groups:
6 - 9 years old
10 - 13 years old
14 - 18 years old
19 years old and over

You stand to win some unique prizes!  There will be five finalists in each age category.  From these 20 finalists, judges will select an overall winner.  Each of the 20 finalists will be awarded with a prize, and will have their entries exhibited at World Bird Sanctuary on Saturday, May 5th, as part of our International Migratory Bird Day celebrations.  Prizes include:

1st prize - there will be one overall First Prize Winner

1. A photo shoot with Marian Brickner, renowned animal photographer.  To find out more about her beautiful body of work, click here to visit her website.
2. An Adopt-a-Bird Subscription for one year, up to a $200 value.
3. A 4" x 6" photograph of the artist and his/her entry at the final exhibition, taken by Marian Brickner.

2nd Prize - there will be four Second Prize Winners - one from each age category

1. An Adopt-a-Bird Subscription for one year, up to a $150 value.
2. A 4" x 6" photograph of the artist and his/her entry at the final exhibition, taken by Marian Brickner.

3rd Prize - there will be fifteen Third Prize Winners - for each of the remaining 20 finalists in the competition

1. An Adopt-a-Bird Subscription for one year, up to a $75 value.
2. A 4" x 6" photograph of the artist and his/her entry at the final exhibition, taken by Marian Brickner.

Entries must be received by 5pm on Sunday, April 22nd 2012 (received via mail by this time, or hand delivered by this time), and must conform to the rules of the competition (on the entry form) to be eligible to enter.

Download an entry form here, or pick one up at World Bird Sanctuary's Visitor Information Center or Nature Center!

Barn Owl Chick Feathers

Around this time of year, I get a chance to see barn owl chicks up close in the World Bird Sanctuary’s propagation department. 

  Barn Owl chick at 1 week -- at this stage the feather follicles are very visible

Barn Owl chicks hatch with every feature perfectly formed--just on a very small scale.  Their closed eyes are surrounded by the beginnings of little facial discs.  Each foot is covered with impossibly small, yet perfect scales, and each toe is tipped with a sharp little talon.  Along the length of pink, nearly transparent skin covering their bodies, are rows of very active little feather follicles.

Barn Owl chick - 2 weeks old - showing the beginnings of its fluffy white down 

When I first saw a barn owl chick, I was surprised to see that its body was not entirely covered with feathers, as I thought a bird’s body must be.  Instead, it appears that the little bird is wearing a pinstripe suit with pink and white fluffy stripes.  The feather follicles form only along certain regions.  The gaps of bare skin in between the follicles are called apteria.  Birds can raise their feathers to allow air to circulate along the apteria.  This helps the birds keep cool, which is crucial considering that birds have one of the highest metabolic rates of any animal on earth.

  Barn Owl chicks at 3 weeks - covered in its insulating layer of down

When the owlet hatches, it is covered in a fine, natal down.  Soon, this stringy down is replaced with fluffy white down.  The growth of this layer of down is readily visible from day to day, and is nature’s best insulating material.  I wonder if the early down feathers that the young chicks grow resembles the integumentary feathers found on some fossil dinosaur species, such as Sinosauropteryx prima, a small theropod discovered in the Yixian Formation in China.

Barn Owl chicks at 7 weeks - still in down but already beginning to develop its wing feathers  

Could the development of feathers in an individual bird’s life somehow mirror the development of feathers on a much larger time scale?  I don’t know, but when I watch the barn owlets, I see something very primitive, intricate, and beautiful develop right before my eyes.  Every aspect of the owl, from its behavior as an adult education bird, to the development of its first feathers provides me with an endless source for questions and a deep sense of appreciation for the complexity of life on earth.

Submitted by Leah Sainz, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist/Trainer

Really Wierd Birds: Part 1

There is such a huge diversity of birds in the world.  Some of them are quite bizarre!  Some have weird feather characteristics, weird facial features, or other physical oddities and some have unusual coloring or strange behaviors.

One species that caught my interest was the Kea, an omnivorous parrot native only to the South Island of New Zealand. 

  Keas are found only on the South Island of New Zealand

This bird has been witnessed doing some interesting behaviors.  First of all, they win the award for bossiest bird.  These birds are very social and live in groups of up to 13.  A social hierarchy is present and dominant birds have been seen to force submissive individuals to cooperate in tasks that only benefit the dominant bird.  In addition to this behavior, these birds have been witnessed attacking sheep!  They rip through the wool with their sharp beaks and eat the high energy fat off of live sheep.  Check out this video. 

The Hoatzin, native to the swamps of the Amazon rainforest and Orinoco Delta of South America, has a blue featherless face, maroon eyes, and spike-like feathers sticking up on its head. 

  The Hoatzin - an odoriferous bird from South America

Not only does this bird look unusual, but they smell like manure and are nicknamed the “stinkbird.”  They have two spurs on their wings when they are chicks, which help them climb around on branches.  These birds are strict herbivores and the majority of their diet is made up of leaves, which are hard to digest.  They have a unique digestive system and can ferment the leaves they eat in a foregut like cows, sheep, and deer.  Regurgitated plant matter is fed to their chicks.  These birds use most of their energy digesting their food, so they rarely ever fly.

The Resplendent Quetzal is an absolutely gorgeous bird, native to Central America, which comes in a variety of striking colors.  The males of this species have extremely long tail feathers that reach up to 3 feet--longer than its entire body.

The beautiful Resplendent Quetzal--the national bird of Guatemala  

When taking flight, the males will dive backwards off of a tree branch so as not to rip his long tail feathers.  They nest in hollowed out trees and when a male enters, he backs into it then once inside curls his tail over his head and out the hole.

The Bird-of-paradise is a family of birds consisting of 40 species mostly found in New Guinea and surrounding islands.  They come in an array of beautiful colors, have unusual feather characteristics, and super strange and impressive courtship displays and rituals.  This link has some great photos.  Here is a hilarious video of a few courtship displays.   Some look like they should be from another planet!

As you can see, the diversity of birds is so vast!  Part of the World Bird Sanctuary’s mission is to maintain biological diversity on our earth so future generations can enjoy the same amazing animals.  Stay tuned next month for part 2 of Really Weird Birds!

Submitted by Sara Oliver, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Scottish Games

On October 1, 2011 the World Bird Sanctuary participated in the Scottish Games event held annually in Forest Park.

  Some of the Scottish Dancers with Roger Wallace and Clark the Bald Eagle just prior to the dancers' competition. 

The World Bird Sanctuary had Birds of Prey on display as we have in the past, but the highlights of this year’s event were to be the free flights by our star--Clark the Bald Eagle.

We were blessed with a gorgeous sunny fall day out in the park. The sights and sounds of the games put everyone into the spirit of the day--the bagpipes and bagpipers strolling around and tuning up, the antique cars parked near our bird weathering area under the big oak trees, the herding dogs, the sheep, the kilts and clan garb, and the games where men were grunting and tossing large objects.  Many clans had tents with their lineage and clan colors on display.

Walter Crawford and Roger Wallace preparing to fly Clark the Bald Eagle 

World Bird Sanctuary, represented by Clan Crawford and Clan Wallace had two time slots to fly Clark the Bald Eagle.  As Walter Crawford and Roger Wallace readied to fly the Eagle in the center of the main field at the center of the games there was a palpable sense of excitement and suspense. 

With all of the other activities still going on throughout the area would Clark do the right thing and fly to the right place?  With all the colors, activities, sporting competitions, dogs and sheep around I wasn't sure if Clark would be distracted and perhaps fly somewhere besides where we wanted him to--but not to worry.  Like the trooper he is, Clark did great. After the first set of flights people gathered around us to see the magnificent Bald Eagle.

Walt had asked me to be the speaker at the podium for the flights, and I introduced Walt Crawford of the Crawford Clan, Roger Wallace of the Wallace Clan, and Clark the Bald Eagle. After the first flight one elderly woman informed me that I should have introduced the men as being from Clan Crawford and Clan Wallace--not the Crawford Clan and the Wallace Clan.  I appreciated the lesson in Clan protocol, and later in the day for our 2nd exhibition I introduced the men as suggested.

 Erin Carter with Trucker, and Gina Staehle with Millenium available to answer questions about the birds

Also helping us that day were Erin Carter World Bird Sanctuary Intern from Kansas, Gina Staehle WBS Volunteer, and Marci Wallace Roger Wallace's sister.

In addition to Clark’s spectacular flights, we also brought several other birds for people to see.  The Birds on Display were Trucker the Swainson's Hawk, Twig the Eastern Screech Owl, Coal the Great Horned Owl, and Millenium the Peregrine Falcon. 

Submitted by Michael Zieloski, Wold Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

They're Back!!!

 If you’ve been following our blog over the past year you may know the story of the Great Horned Owls who managed to fledge two chicks in St. Charles County under some truly adverse conditions last year.

We published this ten part series (called Tales From The Nest) in April, May and June of 2011.  If you missed it and would like to read the whole series, enter Tales From The Nest in the search box in the upper left-hand corner of this page.  

About three weeks ago I stopped by the nest tree to see if perhaps they had returned to use this same nest again this year.  At that time there was no sign of any nest activity (at least that I could see from about 200 feet away and 80 feet below the nest). 

I happened to talk to the neighbor next door to the property on which the nest is located.  He said that he hadn’t seen any nest activity, but that he had been hearing the owls at night, so we knew they were still in the area.

Yesterday I did another drive-by—this time with a good pair of binoculars.  Lo and behold when I got the binoculars focused, there staring at me over the edge of the nest was Mamma.  Of course, there is no way of knowing for sure if this is the same pair that used the nest last year—but it is a very strong likelihood. 

Last year’s pair managed to raise two chicks in spite of freezing temperatures, heavy downpours, hail, snow, and tornadic winds that damaged much of the surrounding area.  In fact, by my calculations the tornado that closed Lambert St. Louis Airport for several days had to have passed directly over the nest. 

Hopefully this year’s pair will have a less traumatic nesting season.

Submitted by Gay Schroer, World Bird Sanctuary Volunteer/Photographer

Volunteers From A.O. Inc. Help WBS

Twice a month Sarah Davis, the TBI Program Manager/Job Developer for A.O. Inc Employment Services, and her clients volunteer at the World Bird Sanctuary Monsanto Fund Environmental Education Center.

Sarah usually brings a couple of her clients to improve their skills as part of their rehabilitation program.  Sarah from A.O. Inc assists people with brain injuries.  She helps them by exposing them to nature and birds of prey at World Bird Sanctuary.  Her clients sustained their brain injuries in a variety of ways, but the people she is working with are recovering and want to be put to work. 

The pictures of Sarah Davis were taken in October when Sarah was helping fill our many bird feeders while a couple of her clients were sweeping or vacuuming the Nature Center and amphitheater for WBS.  Sarah and her clients have helped to improve our site for the many guests and wildlife that access the feeders and buildings every day. 

Sarah and her clients helped us spruce up the site for Open House in October, 2011.  One of her clients, a person with no legs, helped us rearrange seating for Open House by moving benches, exhibits, and chairs.  This client/volunteer even carried a bench down the stairs.  He was so gung ho that he wouldn’t even let me help him.  He proved that his handicap could not keep him from making a difference.  He and Sarah also told me that he is a Water Ski instructor for others with injuries.  Impressive!

We cannot thank Sarah Davis and A.O.,Inc and their clients enough for improving our site for our guests.  Sarah’s clients gave something back by volunteering.  I hope each one of them finds something that challenges them in a good way and provides them with prospects for gainful employment in the future.

If you would like to contact Sarah Davis she can be reached at 314-835-0226 or email her at sdavis@aoinc.org

Submitted by Michael Zeloski, World Bird Sanctuary Environmental Education Center Manager 

INCA

It is with great sadness that we report that Inca, our five year old Abyssinian Guinea Pig has succumbed to the ravages of pituitary disease.

It was noted by his caretakers that he was “not acting right” and that he was losing weight.  Our vet immediately prescribed a course of antibiotics and other supportive therapies.  However, nothing helped and even though he continued to eat he also continued to lose weight.  Even though it was a difficult decision for all involved but we felt that the only fair answer for Inca was humane euthanasia, rather than let him suffer the effects of starvation.

As with many small mammals it is often difficult, if not impossible to pinpoint the cause of an ailment when symptoms are non-specific.  It's almost impossible to diagnose these types of ailments short of an autopsy (called a necropsy in animals). 

 

Inca will be sorely missed by staff and volunteers, as well as the general public (especially the children).  Inca was one of the few animals at WBS that could be touched by our guests, and as such he met thousands of children in his lifetime as part of our outreach programs for the younger set.

COMING SOON......

It’s that time of year again…the trees are budding out, jonquils are popping up in the garden, and we’re ready for World Bird Sanctuary’s harbinger of Spring—World Eagle Day!

It’s just around the corner, so mark your calendars for Sunday, March 18.

We’ll be greeting guests from 10 am to 4 pm with the opportunity to see eagles from around the world.  Did you know that there are more than sixty eagle species around the world—only two of which are native to the United States? 

Come visit with us on March 18 to see and learn about our two natives--the American Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle--as well as a number of the other Eagle species from around the world who call the World Bird Sanctuary home. 

Come prepared to learn and be entertained—all for free.

DATE:                        SUNDAY, MARCH 18

TIME:                        10 AM to 4 PM

For directions CLICK HERE

Backyard Birds - The Downy Woodpecker

This year one of my projects for the blog will be to feature a Backyard Bird Species.  Our first featured bird is one that may be familiar to many readers--the Downy Woodpecker, Picoides pubescens. 

Male Downy Woodpeckers have a distinct red patch on the back of their head

The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest and most widespread woodpecker in the United States.  Downy Woodpeckers are about 6 inches tall and have a distinctive white strip down their back.  The male has a small red patch on the back of his head.  This feature is  lacking in the female.  They feed on insects, mostly beetles and ants, but also take some seeds and berries.  Downy Woodpeckers nest in a cavity excavated by both male and female, usually in a dead limb or dead tree.

In the spring and summer months Down Woodpeckers have been known to frequent Hummingbird feeders

When attracting Downy Woodpeckers to your feeder one of the prime requisites is to have trees either in your yard or nearby.  They will come to hopper feeders, food on the ground, platform feeders, tube feeders and of course suet feeders.  Downy Woodpeckers prefer black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts and suet.  I like using all three and my suet is a peanut based suet, which they love.

There are 23 breeding species of woodpeckers in North America.  Woodpeckers are found worldwide, with the largest concentration in Central and South America.  Woodpeckers belong to the order Piciformes, which also includes toucans, barbets, jacamars, puffbirds, and honeyguides.

Downy Woodpeckers are regular visitors to nut feeders

Most woodpeckers are black and white with red on their heads (the red usually lacking or decreased in females).  They prefer areas with large trees to which they are well adapted.  Woodpeckers have stiff tails that help them to brace themselves against tree trunks as they pound, taking some of the strain off their short, strong legs, and sharp claws.  Woodpeckers use their chisel-like bills to chip through bark and heartwood, on both live and dead trees, to get to grubs, worms and other invertebrates within the wood.  Most woodpeckers have long, pointed tongues, with bristles, barbs, or sticky fluid that helps them to grab hold of their prey.

In the Spring you may be lucky enough to sight a baby Downy Woodpecker such as this one

If Woodpeckers do not visit your feeders because your area lacks the large trees that they prefer, come visit the bird watching areas at the World Bird Sanctuary.  Be sure to bring your binoculars and cameras.

Submitted by Cathy Spahn, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Come Cruise With Us

On September 9, 2012, Walter Crawford, Executive Director of the World Bird Sanctuary, will lead a group of travelers on an exploration cruise of Alaska’s inside passage aboard Holland America’s beautiful cruise ship, the MS Oosterdam  

  The beautiful Holland America MS Oosterdam

This 7-day round trip cruise departs from Seattle on 9/9 and returns 9/16.  The itinerary  includes a full day of glacier watching in beautiful Tracy Arm fjord where passengers can expect to see and hear the phenomenon of Sawyer Glacier calving icebergs into the sea right before their eyes.  Other ports on this itinerary are Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, and beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. 

Hear the thunderous crack as a new iceberg is formed  

A cruise ship is the best and most affordable way to see some of the beautiful and amazing ports on this itinerary.  The incredibly beautiful and rugged Alaskan landscape renders these ports inaccessible by road.  The main means of travel by local residents is via floatplane or ferry. 

In 2009 my husband and I accompanied a World Bird Sanctuary group on an Alaska cruise with a similar itinerary and I would like to share with you some of our experiences.  First off, let me begin by saying that I am not normally a cruise person.  We had been on a Caribbean cruise with a different cruise line a number of years ago, and had sworn “Never again”.  So I had some initial misgivings about signing up for this cruise. 

However, after comparing the costs and conveniences of the cruise versus the costs and hassles of booking flights to each location with their attendant flight changes and layovers, costs of meals and accommodations, plus time lost waiting in airport security lines each day, the cruise was the logical hands-down winner.  The only flights we had to book were from St. Louis to Seattle and return.  All meals were included once we boarded the ship, plus we didn’t have the hassle of maneuvering luggage through various airports at each port or waiting in security lines with their accompanying hassles.  Once we were settled in our stateroom aboard ship (all included in the price of the cruse) our lodgings were conveniently waiting for us at the end of each day and our time was our own to enjoy the ship and each port without hauling luggage or worrying about check-ins every day.

Shipmates Dan & Laura MacLeod with one of our fun loving waiters  

What we were not prepared for was the congeniality and helpfulness of the fun loving Holland America crew—a far cry from our first cruise with that other cruise line. 

This watermelon sculpture on the buffet seemed appropriate for our group  

Meals were beautifully presented, whether we chose to dine in the main dining room, at the onboard buffet, in the intimate upscale dining room, or at one of the many small dining areas such as the pizza bar.  Dinner could be anywhere from a formal full dress affair to a casual meal, dependent upon your choice of dining style.  (We are not the formal full dress type, so this was one of our favorite features—it also meant less luggage to deal with.)

 My husband and I with four other members of our group in the beautiful main dining room 

Each night featured a different show in the ship’s theater.  For those who are so inclined there is also on-board shopping in several gift shop areas, casinos, saunas and massage parlors, beautiful indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and many other amenities too numerous to mention.  At the end of each evening we returned to our cabin to be greeted by a clever towel sculpture created by our friendly cabin steward.

 We could hardly wait to return to our cabins each evening to see what creature would be waiting to greet us!

So, if you’re ready for a spectacular vacation without all the hassles, consider joining Walter Crawford and the World Bird Sanctuary group for “World Bird Sanctuary Alaska Cruise 2012”.

Details – Alaska  Explorer Cruise 2012

•            Escorted by Walt Crawford, Executive Director, World Bird Sanctuary

•            Aboard Holland America MS Oosterdam

•            Roundtrip itinerary – Seattle, Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, Tracy Arm/Sawyer Glacier, Victoria, BC, and return to Seattle

•            Prices start at only $1,168 (inside cabin); $1488 (ocean view); $1,888 (verandah)

Price Includes:

•            7-day cruise accommodations

•            Onboard meals & entertainment

•            Special lectures by Walter Crawford

•            Visit to the Raptor Center in Sitka

•            Private cocktail party onboard

•            $25.00 per person Shipboard Credit

•            All taxes and government fees

*            Also included is a $50 donation to World Bird Sanctuary

FOR RESERVATIONS OR FURTHER INFORMATION

Contact Cathy Robinson at ext. 114 (314) 439-5700 or (800) 527-1059

E-mail: crobinson@brentwoodtravel.com

Check back in the next few weeks for an overview of what to expect at each port and photos from our trip.

Submitted by Gay Schroer, World Bird Sanctuary Volunteer/Photographer

Shake The Fear Out

I must admit, the first time I ever spoke a show I was frightened beyond belief. 

  Flying the birds helps to quell stagefright_Marz, the Red-tailed Hawk is an old pro

Anyone who has ever performed before an audience knows that that first performance can be terrifying.  I have always had a terrible fear of public speaking.  In fact, I was so scared that before going out onto stage I have to violently shake my arms to “shake the fear out”. 

As Leah Tyndall discussed in her blog post recently, we all have our pre-show rituals that help to calm our nerves.  My arm shaking routine looks very silly and is slightly embarrassing, but when I walk out onto the stage all the fear flies away.  I was so scared for my first show, that for some unexplainable reason I even told the audience.  Thankfully, my audience for that show was terrific and very understanding.  I will always be grateful to them for it. 

I am also very grateful to the rest of the Stone Zoo Bird Show staff for all the support and encouragement they gave me, and frankly, for putting up with me while getting over my fear.  If it wasn't for the two Leahs on our Stone Zoo bird show staff, I would probably still be scared out of my mind when speaking in public. 

Even though I was frightened to be speaking in front of such a large audience, when the first bird comes out it all goes away.  Seeing the look on everyone’s face as the first bird flies over their heads makes me smile and reminds me why I do this.  And as adrenaline starts to rush through my veins, I can’t help but love being out there.  So I guess it’s fair to say that I have a love/hate relationship with public speaking. 

 Even birds get stagefright - just ask Sam, our Augur Buzzard

Sam, our Augur Buzzard, was also afraid of flying in front of a lot of people at first.  Watching Sam get over his fear of flying for a lot of people also helped me get over my fear.  I often thought to myself, “If this bird can be okay with it, I should be, too.”  Eventually Sam became one of our best fliers at the Stone Zoo Show, which always made me push myself harder to really want to be out there speaking for him. 

After the season at Stone Zoo ended and I was back at the sanctuary doing educational programs I had to take the next step for speaking shows--no backstage area where I could do my arm-shaking routine. 

My first encounter doing a WBS show without a backstage was in Kansas City at the Renaissance Faire.  We had a backstage, but we started the show with the speaker in the audience and a blind release of Stetson, a Harris’ Hawk.  This was a little hard for me because I couldn’t “shake the fear out” right before the show.  It did make it a little easier having Stetson there, for he is my favorite bird at the sanctuary.  We both instantly bonded while doing training sessions before the zoo show season started.  So while having him there helped me, I was still frightened before the show and at the start of the show. 

Luckily I had a great crew with me in KC—WBS staff member Trina Whitener and WBS volunteer Linda Tossing.  They were both very supportive of my public speaking jitters, so I want to send a great big thank you to them for all their encouragement. 

My last step in getting over my public speaking fear was recently at Lake of the Ozarks with WBS staff member Mike Zeloski.  There we didn't have any time at all between shows, kind of like a lightning round.  It was fast paced, and I loved it.  We had no backstage at all and no prep time, so there was no chance of “shaking the fear out” before the show.  After my first show I was too preoccupied with getting the next show started on time to really be scared at all. I love doing shows with Mike Z--he has so much knowledge and confidence when he speaks—and I think it transferred over to me a little.

After those three steps, I think and hope it is safe to say that I won’t be needing to “shake the fear out” anymore. 

So thank you to all the people and birds who helped me get over my fear of public speaking.

Submitted by Mike Cerutti, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist/Trainer

Why Is Bird Conservation Important?

Part of our mission at the World Bird Sanctuary is to secure the future of threatened bird species in their natural environments. 

These Barn Owl babies were part of World Bird Sanctuary's Barn Owl release program 

Currently, the sanctuary is breeding and releasing barn owls, a rare resident in Missouri.  It is a “species of conservation concern in Missouri,” according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.  Here we’ll take a look at why bird conservation is critical in our world.

Bird conservation is important in maintaining the diversity of the planet.  Birds are one of the most numerous creatures on the planet and they all have evolved amazing physical and behavioral adaptations.  We, too, must learn to adapt our own behaviors to live in our world, rather than forcing it into an artificial and unsustainable one.

 The above is just a small example of the amazing diversity among birds of the world

Wild birds are a vital part of the ecosystem and provide many key services.  They help control rodent populations.  For example barn owls can eat 2,000 mice in one year. 

Birds also help control insect populations.  They are advanced, extremely efficient, highly motivated, insect pest controllers.  For all of the strategies insects have evolved to evade predation, they still encounter many species of birds that are highly adapted, perfect insect-eaters.  Birds can shift their foraging locations and foraging behavior in response to an insect outbreak.  For example, when a large amount of insects are located in the canopy of trees, many ground or shrub-dwelling birds may go up into the canopy to forage.  Similarly, during an eruption of flighted insects, birds that usually eat by plucking caterpillars off leaves may instead fly after the insects and capture them in mid-air.  Birds not only help lower the current insect pest populations but they also help minimize future outbreaks.  The amount of money this saves us is beyond our imagination. 

Birds also help greatly with seed dispersal, and increase forest growth and conservation.  Additionallty, they are an important part of ecosystems in that they can function as food for other predators.  By studying all of the interactions birds have with the ecosystem, we can better understand how these relationships can affect humans.

Birds can teach us appreciation of natural diversity.  All birds have unique behaviors and personalities and the more we watch and observe them, the more we’ll grow to appreciate all of nature. 

 This Burrowing Owl has adapted to a treeless environment by using Prairie Dog mounds as a hunting perch

Awareness about bird conservation can promote awareness of other environmental issues.  For example, a species may be declining due to polluted water.  That awareness can lead to action taken to fight water contamination, which will in turn help other species of wildlife as well.  Putting out non-secondary rodent poison to get rid of rodents will help stop secondary poisoning of barn owls and other predators.

Birds can educate us on numerous things.  By observing birds in flight, aeronautical engineers have designed more efficient airplanes.  Climatologists who study birds’ migration patterns can gather insight on seasonal climate changes by noting behavioral changes in their subjects.  Psychologists use birds’ courtship rituals and community interactions to better understand complex group dynamics.  We must continue to conserve birds if we want to continue learning from them. 

Birds are important in maintaining the Earth’s biological diversity, providing services to the ecosystem, teaching us appreciation of nature, raising awareness of environmental issues and educating us in many facets of life. 

Bird conservation will always continue to be a vital part of the World Bird Sanctuary’s mission.  It can be yours, too!  Some easy ways you can help save birds include: keeping your cat indoors, build a brush pile for shelter, put out bird feeders, bird baths and bird houses, pick up litter and properly dispose of oil.   

Submitted by Sara Oliver, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

White Pelican Migration

A short time ago, I had the opportunity to participate in the rescue of an injured White Pelican. 

The Pelican had become stranded on a small pond near the Portage de Sioux power plant.  It had broken its wing, and so could not fly to warmer waters if the small pond froze, although it had survived for a brief time on the fish living in the pond.  We successfully rescued the bird, but the event caused me to reflect on the amazing lives that Pelicans lead and the annual migration patterns that eventually brought this individual to its fate.

Rescuing an injured White Pelican earlier this year

American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) begin their lives near the shallow, glacial lakes found in the Upper Midwest Plains and Southern Canada.  Pelicans nest in large breeding colonies to help protect each other from predators.

When early Fall arrives, the Pelicans leave the northern breeding grounds and travel towards the Gulf Coast of the Southern United States.  Their routes take many of them along the Mississippi River and over the St. Louis region.  White Pelicans, along with many other migrating bird species, take advantage of the unfrozen water found near the large hydroelectric dams in our area. 

The Riverlands in Alton, IL is a great place to see migrating White Pelicans

A great place to spot White Pelicans this time of year is in the Riverlands Area in Alton.  The pond where we rescued the white pelican is located near a floodplain commonly used by migrating pelicans.  That individual likely became injured when its flock stopped to rest and feed.  When the rest of the flock moved on, this bird became stranded.

 

The pelicans spend the winter along the warmer waters of the Pacific and Gulf coasts.  They tend to avoid the open ocean, preferring instead inland lakes and estuaries. 

I always feel amazed when I consider the incredible journeys that birds regularly make to survive.  Traveling across a substantial section of the globe twice a year as a lifestyle is extremely perilous, as the injured pelican demonstrated. 

I felt privileged to participate in a small way in one of the most amazing rhythms of life on earth.

 Submitted by Leah Sainz, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist/Trainer