During WBS’s zoo show season, when we present educational bird
shows at zoos around the nation, I always try to like all the birds equally,
but it is inevitable that I end up liking a few more than the others.
It’s true the other way around also, with some
of the birds ending up liking other trainers more than me. I find that for me it is usually the
corvids (crows and ravens) I end up liking the most, probably because of their
high level of intelligence, social behavior and problem solving skills.
However, this year (at
least so far) I was a little surprised to find out that the bird I am most
drawn to is Scarlett, our new Red-shouldered Hawk. I shouldn't be too
terribly surprised that I like Scarlett so much. After all, hawks are my favorite raptors.
Scarlett came to World
Bird Sanctuary from the Cincinnati Zoo. She is still young, only four
years old, and it is her first time flying in front of audiences. In
fact, it’s not just HER first time in front of audiences, but as far as we
know, the first time in the history of the
entire United States of America that a Red-shouldered Hawk has been free flown
in a bird show. So I’m not just excited about her flying, but I am very
proud of this whole Milwaukee County Zoo bird show crew (Leah Tyndall, Erica
Fenske, Matt Levin and myself) for making history.
Scarlett about to land on trainer Erica Fenske's glove
Red-shouldered Hawks
generally live in forested areas where they can perch in the sub-canopy and
look for food. They have broad wings and usually soar with their tail fanned out. It almost looks
like they are “reaching” with their wings as they fly. They also flap
their wings vigorously during flight, much like an accipiter (for example, a Cooper’s Hawk is an accipiter).
Scarlett almost always flies with her feet
hanging down while she vigorously flaps, going from trainer to trainer across
the stage.
Scarlett often makes
distinctive calls throughout the day. Anytime she sees one of the
trainers, and sometimes just random people, she will make the “kee-rah” call for
which her species is so well known. Red-shouldered Hawks are known for
being very territorial, so I imagine that she is letting us know we are invading
her space.
Much like Red-tailed
Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks are opportunistic feeders. This means that
they will eat anything that they can catch. This often includes rats,
squirrels, moles and voles. But they will eat things like snakes, frogs,
lizards, small birds and toads if they catch them.
With winters being milder
lately, probably due to global warming, Red-shoulder hawks are making their
territories further and further north. In fact they can even be found up
here in Wisconsin, while only twenty years ago you would barely even see them
back home in Missouri.
So all in all, I don't
think it is just Scarlett that I am liking so much, but also her personal
story, as well as Red-shouldered Hawks in general.
Photos and Text by Mike
Cerutti, World Bird Sanctuary Assistant Supervisor, Milwaukee Zoo Show
1 comment:
I am SO happy to hear this! I was one of her trainers at the Cincinnati Zoo, and we wanted to do so much more with her here but we weren't given the time to do so (not my decision unfortunately), so I am SO glad to see that you guys have given her a chance! I knew she was a great bird and by seeing what she and you have accomplished, this only proves my point. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you so much for working with her and giving her the attention she needed. Please continue to take good care of my favorite hawk! Great job!
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