Adopt a Bird Spotlight: Skinner (Turkey Vulture)

Skinner's Story

Species: Turkey Vulture
Hatched: 1993

Skinner was hatched at the World Bird Sanctuary and raised by our staff to help educate people about these magnificent birds of prey. As soon as he was old enough for training he learned how to fly from trainer to trainer and was soon thrilling audiences and participating in presentations around the country. He has taught thousands about the necessary role these magnificent birds play in the environment, and helped to dispel many of the myths and superstitions about his species.

Skinner has appeared at the Milwaukee County Zoo, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Grant's Farm in St. Louis, and Dogwood Canyon in Branson, MO. For a time he was on display in a free flight enclosure at World Bird Sanctuary headquarters. In May 2006, Skinner joined our Office of Wildlife Learning staff in St. Louis and began traveling to schools, scouting events, sports shows, and even renaissance faires. He is always a hit wherever he appears when he soars just inches over the audience with his magnificent 5-foot wingspan fully extended.

Skinner is a great vulture to work with, and loves to spend time out in our weathering area with his wings spread out, catching the sun. This is a typical posture for a turkey vulture, which you may see if you spot one in the wild. This "sunning behavior" allows a photochemical change in the oils on their feathers that provides them with vitamin D.

Skinner does not work year round, but instead has a six month "vacation" each year when he spends his off time in a large free flight cage.

To adopt Skinner, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $100, and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: SKINNER. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents Receive:

• *A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for your personal visit.
• * Certificate of Adoption
• * Color photo of the bird you've adopted
• * Sponsorship Card
• * One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
• * Life History and Natural History of the bird
• * 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
• * Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
• * Discounts on WBS Special Events
• * WBS Decal

Natural History

turkey vulture
Cathartes aura

Description a large brownish black bird with a long tail and bare head and neck; often has a green or blue iridescence on the chest, shoulders, and back, which appears to turn purple on the wings and tail; wing linings and lower part of the tail are gray; head and neck lack feathers and sports wrinkled, red skin; eyes are a pale grayish-brown; beak is also pale

Sex: both sexes similar in size and color; female may be somewhat larger than male

Age: average in the wild 5 years; in captivity up to 20 years

Length: 24-28 inches

Wingspan: 64-72 inches

Weight: 3-1/2 – 5 lbs.

Habitat: varied; ranges from open plains to deserts, forests and jungles

Status:

Range: throughout the United States and southern Canada during warmer months; migrate to South America during winter months, often as far as Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands

Behavior: the large wingspan allows them to soar on thermals for long periods, covering great distances; small groups have been observed performing ritualistic “dances” near breeding season; actual nest not built; will sometimes create a soft layer under the eggs with rotten wood or leaves; two eggs laid on the ground, in a cave, hollow log, or stump; both birds share all nesting duties; incubation is 38-41 days; chicks fed regurgitated food ; young fledge at 70-80 days;

Diet: almost exclusively carrion; may sometimes eat eggs, rotting fruits and vegetables, or even excrement of sea lions; one of the few birds with a sense of smell, and can detect carrion even under the canopy of forests

Vocalization: low grunts and hisses, audible only at close range

√ If threatened vultures will vomit on potential predators
√ A vulture’s digestive juices are strong enough to kill any type of bacteria known to man
√ Their “sunning” behavior, sitting on the ground with wings extended allows a photochemical change in the oil on the feathers that provides them with Vitamin D

Adopt A Bird spotlights are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

Adopt a Bird Spotlight: Dutch (Bald Eagle)

Dutch's Story

Species: Bald Eagle
Hatched: Unknown

Dutch was presented to the United States in 1982 as a gift from Germany to commemorate the naming of the bald eagle as our National Symbol. He was named Dutch after then president Ronald Reagan, whose nickname was Dutch.

Dutch's first home in the U.S. was the National Zoo in Washington D.C. He was subsequently transferred to the Patuxent Wildlife Center in Laurel, MD, who later gifted him to the World Bird Sanctuary in 1988. He was paired for five years with Nancy and they produced two chicks who were released into the wild.

Dutch was later paired with Killer, a female bald eagle from Alaska, who had rejected all other suitors. Dutch must have had "that something special,"
because for many years they wew a productive pair, producing a number of offspring until her death from natural causes in Spring 2007. It is uncertain if a new mate will be found for Dutch at this time. He is currently living the bachelor life until it is determined how best to integrate him into the sanctuary's breeding and education programs.

The next time you see a bald eagle soaring overhead, just remember that it might be one of Dutch's descendants!

To adopt Dutch, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $150, and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: DUTCH. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents Receive:

• *A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
• your personal visit.
• * Certificate of Adoption
• * Color photo of the bird you've adopted
• * Sponsorship Card
• * One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
• * Life History and Natural History of the bird
• * 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
• * Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
• * Discounts on WBS Special Events
• * WBS Decal

Natural History

Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Description: large; white head, neck and tail; brown-black body; massive yellow bill and feet

Sex: males and females are similar but females are larger

Age: juveniles are mostly dark brown with white blotches underneath and on the wing linings; become more white each molt; gain adult plumage after 4-5 years; immature calls are generally harsher

Length: 31-37”

Wingspan: 5.8-7.5’

Weight: 8-14 lbs.
Habitat: rivers, lakes, coastal areas

Status: seen across most of North America; common in Alaska, parts of Florida and in the Midwest during winter months; common along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers in winter; became endangered in the 70s from pesticides; conservation programs and pesticide banning helped increase populations again

Range: Alaska and Canada to the southern United States

Behavior: monogamous pairs; breed April-August and build a stick nest as high as 150 feet above the ground, usually in a tree or on cliffs near water; renovate and add to their nest each year until it falls; 1 brood with 1-3 dull, whitish eggs; both parents incubate for 34-36 days until semi-altricial chicks hatch asynchronously; chicks leave nest at 10 weeks; large numbers of bald eagles often congregate where food is plentiful, like spawning ruts; will steal food from smaller and weaker osprey; fly low after prey
Diet: carrion, fish, waterfowl, birds, small mammals

Vocalization: sharp, pleading, creaking cackle; “kleek-kik-ik-ik-ik”; lower “kak-kak-kak”

√ The bald eagle has been the national symbol of the United States since 1782.

Adopt A Bird spotlights are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

Adopt a Bird Spotlight: McCoy (Green Winged Macaw)

McCoy's Story

Species: Green Winged Macaw
Hatched: 2/14/94

McCoy was bred to be an education bird, and due to his sweet nature he began his career as a posing area bird. He was trained to step onto a guest's arm for photographs and has had literally hundreds of photos taken with members of the general public.

In addition to his sweet nature, he is extremely smart. He gives a "high four," waves, says "hello" and "What are you doing?" Recently he has become one of the stars at our Christmas Is For The Birds event. He takes a child's letter to Santa, puts it into our North Pole mailbox, and puts up the flag for the mailman.

McCoy has one other behavior that he invented himself to demonstrate his "cuteness" when he feels he is not getting proper attention. He covers his eyes with his wing and peeks out at you from under his feathers (see post from July 5th). He's confident this will earn him the attention he deserves, and possibly a treat.

To adopt McCoy, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $150, and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: MCCOY. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents Receive:

• *A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
• your personal visit.
• * Certificate of Adoption
• * Color photo of the bird you've adopted
• * Sponsorship Card
• * One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
• * Life History and Natural History of the bird
• * 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
• * Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
• * Discounts on WBS Special Events
• * WBS Decal

Natural History

green winged macaw (aka red and green macaw)
Ara chloroptera

Description second in size only to the Hyacinth Macaw; breast is bright red; lower feathers of the wing are green; characteristic red lines around the eyes formed by rows of tiny feathers on otherwise bare skin; long blue tail; grey legs; powerful bill horn colored with blackish sides; lower mandible blackish; iris pale-yellowish; feet dark grey; immatures have shorter tail, lower mandible paler and iris is brown

Sex: both sexes similar

Age: average in captivity 50-60 years; some individuals known to reach 80 years; several claims of birds over 100 years old

Length: 39”

Wingspan: up to 49”

Weight: 2.75-3.5 lbs

Habitat: tropical forests and swamps in Central and South America, including Columbia, Panama, Venezuela, Guyana and Trinidad

Status: commonest of the macaws, however in recent years numbers in the wild have declined due to habitat loss and capture for the pet trade

Range: forests of northern South America

Behavior: frequently seen in pairs or family groups, occasionally gathering in small flocks; larger groups found feeding in trees or on clay banks; breeding season is November to March; 1-3 eggs hatch within 28 days; young fledge at 90-100 days

Diet: nuts, fruits, berries, seeds and some vegetable matter

Vocalization: in captivity have been known to learn to talk, but are not considered the best mimics; considered quieter than other macaws

√ This bird’s powerful beak can generate a pressure of 2000 psi and is capable of snapping a broomstick in half.

√ Flies virtually every day to clay banks to feed on mineral soil which is believed to neutralize toxic content of unripe fruits

Adopt A Bird spotlights are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

Adopt a Bird Spotlight: Norbert (Bald Eagle)

Norbert's Story

Species: Bald Eagle
Hatched: Spring 2004


Norbert was hatched in 2004, presumably in a wild nest in South Dakota. The story has it that he was found on a golf course stealing golf balls. He was trapped and taken to a rehabilitation center in Rapid City, South Dakota. There it was discovered that he showed all the behavior of a human imprinted bird. Because this behavior would make him a danger to others as well as to himself, he was declared unreleasable and placed with the World Bird Sanctuary. He arrived here on December 9, 2004, and after a settling in period he began the manning and training process. The ultimate goal is to fly Norbert at special events and educational programs. So far he is working out nicely!

The World Bird Sanctuary received Norbert in his first year, at which point a bald eagle is totally brown. This coloration confuses many people when trying to identify the species. The photo above shows him in his third year plumage. You can see his tail is already beginning to show the distinctive white feathers for which these birds are known. By his fifth year, his head and tail feathers will be the signature white color of his species.

To adopt Norbert, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $150, and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: NORBERT. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents Receive:

• *A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
• your personal visit.
• * Certificate of Adoption
• * Color photo of the bird you've adopted
• * Sponsorship Card
• * One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
• * Life History and Natural History of the bird
• * 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
• * Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
• * Discounts on WBS Special Events
• * WBS Decal

Natural History

Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Description: large; white head, neck and tail; brown-black body; massive yellow bill and feet

Sex: males and females are similar but females are larger

Age: juveniles are mostly dark brown with white blotches underneath and on the wing linings; become more white each molt; gain adult plumage after 4-5 years; immature calls are generally harsher

Length: 31-37”

Wingspan: 5.8-7.5’

Weight: 8-14 lbs.
Habitat: rivers, lakes, coastal areas

Status: seen across most of North America; common in Alaska, parts of Florida and in the Midwest during winter months; common along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers in winter; became endangered in the 70s from pesticides; conservation programs and pesticide banning helped increase populations again

Range: Alaska and Canada to the southern United States

Behavior: monogamous pairs; breed April-August and build a stick nest as high as 150 feet above the ground, usually in a tree or on cliffs near water; renovate and add to their nest each year until it falls; 1 brood with 1-3 dull, whitish eggs; both parents incubate for 34-36 days until semi-altricial chicks hatch asynchronously; chicks leave nest at 10 weeks; large numbers of bald eagles often congregate where food is plentiful, like spawning ruts; will steal food from smaller and weaker osprey; fly low after prey
Diet: carrion, fish, waterfowl, birds, small mammals

Vocalization: sharp, pleading, creaking cackle; “kleek-kik-ik-ik-ik”; lower “kak-kak-kak”

√ The bald eagle has been the national symbol of the United States since 1782.

Adopt A Bird spotlights are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

Adopt a Bird Spotlight: Myakka (Bald Eagle)

Myakka's Story

Species: Bald Eagle
Hatched: 1/31/85

Myakka was hatched at G.M. Sutton Avian Research Center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma as part of an effort to re-establish a wild bald eagle population in Alabama. After a successful release, Myakka was injured in the wild by a gunshot. At a rehab center in Minneapolis, it was discovered that he had sustained permanent damage to one eye. Unable to hunt successfully, he could not be released. He was received at the World Bird Sanctuary in September 1986.

Myakka has since appeared before hundreds of thousands of people as part of our education outreach programs. In his travels, he has appeared in such venues as: Grant's Farm, Eagle Day programs in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, Milwaukee County Zoo, Zoo Atlanta, Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut, and Clarksville Nature Center in Clarksville, MO.

To adopt Myakka, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $150, and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: MYAKKA. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents Receive:

• *A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
• your personal visit.
• * Certificate of Adoption
• * Color photo of the bird you've adopted
• * Sponsorship Card
• * One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
• * Life History and Natural History of the bird
• * 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
• * Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
• * Discounts on WBS Special Events
• * WBS Decal

Natural History

Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Description: large; white head, neck and tail; brown-black body; massive yellow bill and feet

Sex: males and females are similar but females are larger

Age: juveniles are mostly dark brown with white blotches underneath and on the wing linings; become more white each molt; gain adult plumage after 4-5 years; immature calls are generally harsher

Length: 31-37”

Wingspan: 5.8-7.5’

Weight: 8-14 lbs.
Habitat: rivers, lakes, coastal areas

Status: seen across most of North America; common in Alaska, parts of Florida and in the Midwest during winter months; common along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers in winter; became endangered in the 70s from pesticides; conservation programs and pesticide banning helped increase populations again

Range: Alaska and Canada to the southern United States

Behavior: monogamous pairs; breed April-August and build a stick nest as high as 150 feet above the ground, usually in a tree or on cliffs near water; renovate and add to their nest each year until it falls; 1 brood with 1-3 dull, whitish eggs; both parents incubate for 34-36 days until semi-altricial chicks hatch asynchronously; chicks leave nest at 10 weeks; large numbers of bald eagles often congregate where food is plentiful, like spawning ruts; will steal food from smaller and weaker osprey; fly low after prey
Diet: carrion, fish, waterfowl, birds, small mammals

Vocalization: sharp, pleading, creaking cackle; “kleek-kik-ik-ik-ik”; lower “kak-kak-kak”

√ The bald eagle has been the national symbol of the United States since 1782.

Adopt A Bird spotlights are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

Adopt a Bird Spotlight: Patriot (Bald Eagle)

The most amazing part of being a volunteer at WBS is getting to know the birds we care for as individuals. Our Adopt A Bird program allows supporters to become involved in the life and care of a bird they might otherwise never have a chance to meet. Adoptive parents get to visit and have their photograph taken with their bird, as well as receive information on the bird's welfare and activities. The donation goes to feed, house and care for the bird of your choice! Personally I can say that both volunteering and adopting have been the opportunity of a lifetime. To check out our adoptable birds, click on "Adopt a Bird" in the subject list of this blog. I'll be adding more birds as this blog continues.

Patriot's Story

Species: Bald Eagle
Hatched: 3/17/95

In March 1995, Patriot's parents used the same nest tree they had used for the past four years at Clarence Cannon Wildlife Refuge. A violent storm in mid-April brought the tree down. Refuge staff responded quickly, but two of the chicks were already dead. The one surviving chick was in poor condition due to being in water for at least an hour. She was treated for pneumonia, gained seven pounds in two weeks, and regained her strength. However, because of the permanent lung damage she sustained, she could not survive in the wild.

Patriot has become a real favorite of staff and visitors alike. She has appeared in programs at Grant's Farm, Sea World of Ohio in Clarksville, and a multitude of eagle programs throughout the Midwest. She was also one of two eagles standing at home plate during the National Anthem for the opening game of the St. Louis Cardinals' run for Division title in 2004!

To adopt Patriot, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $150, and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: PATRIOT. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents Receive:

• *A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
• your personal visit.
• * Certificate of Adoption
• * Color photo of the bird you've adopted
• * Sponsorship Card
• * One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
• * Life History and Natural History of the bird
• * 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
• * Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
• * Discounts on WBS Special Events
• * WBS Decal

Natural History

Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Description: large; white head, neck and tail; brown-black body; massive yellow bill and feet

Sex: males and females are similar but females are larger

Age: juveniles are mostly dark brown with white blotches underneath and on the wing linings; become more white each molt; gain adult plumage after 4-5 years; immature calls are generally harsher

Length: 31-37”

Wingspan: 5.8-7.5’

Weight: 8-14 lbs.
Habitat: rivers, lakes, coastal areas

Status: seen across most of North America; common in Alaska, parts of Florida and in the Midwest during winter months; common along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers in winter; became endangered in the 70s from pesticides; conservation programs and pesticide banning helped increase populations again

Range: Alaska and Canada to the southern United States

Behavior: monogamous pairs; breed April-August and build a stick nest as high as 150 feet above the ground, usually in a tree or on cliffs near water; renovate and add to their nest each year until it falls; 1 brood with 1-3 dull, whitish eggs; both parents incubate for 34-36 days until semi-altricial chicks hatch asynchronously; chicks leave nest at 10 weeks; large numbers of bald eagles often congregate where food is plentiful, like spawning ruts; will steal food from smaller and weaker osprey; fly low after prey
Diet: carrion, fish, waterfowl, birds, small mammals

Vocalization: sharp, pleading, creaking cackle; “kleek-kik-ik-ik-ik”; lower “kak-kak-kak”

√ The bald eagle has been the national symbol of the United States since 1782.

Adopt A Bird spotlights are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

Adopt a Bird Spotlight: Twig (Eastern Screech Owl)

Twig's Story

Species: Eastern Screech Owl
Hatched: 1995

Twig came to the World Bird Sanctuary in 1993 as an orphan. He was unreleasable because he had no fear of humans. He soon became a member of our Education Department and has traveled with our staff to literally thousands of programs throughout the country.

He has participated in programs in Williamsburg, VA, Kansas City Renaissance Festival, sportshows throughout the Midwest, and scores of Raptor Awareness and Wings for Tots presentations, to name only a few.

Twig is an excellent example of how animals in the wild use camoflage to survive. Twig is a tremendous favorite with young and old alike.

Your adoption fee will help to feed, house and care for Twig in the coming year, so that he can continue to educate and entertain the future generation.

To adopt Twig, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $50 and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: TWIG. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents receive:

• A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
• your personal visit.
• Certificate of Adoption
• Color photo of the bird you've adopted
• Sponsorship Card
• One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
• Life History and Natural History of the bird
• 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
• Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
• Discounts on WBS Special Events
• WBS Decal

Natural History

eastern screech owl
Otus asio

Description smallest eared owl in the eastern US; color ranges from grey to brown to reddish, but considered to be found in 2 color phases; gray found mostly in the north; red found mostly in the south; plumage is an excellent example of cryptic camouflage; color pattern of plumage resembles the bark of the trees so closely they are nearly invisible when still; identified by ear tufts and textured coloration

Sex: no visible differences between male and female

Age: up to 13 years

Length: 7-10”

Wingspan: 18-24”

Weight: 5-9 oz.

Habitat: wood lots, heavily wooded regions in rural areas, wooded strips of residential areas

Status: populations currently stable due to it’s ability to adapt to residential areas; often falls victim to vehicle collisions

Range: United States east of the Rocky Mountains and into northeastern Mexico

Behavior: nests in natural tree cavities, old woodpecker holes or man-made nest boxes; female lays 4-6 eggs that are incubated for 25-27 days; both parents feed the young; owlets leave the nest in about 4 weeks, but will be tended by the parents for another 5-6 weeks; can reproduce at 1 year of age

Diet: mainly insects, small mammals, birds, crayfish and earthworms

Vocalization: call is a long, high pitched, trilling call

√ have been known to visit backyard birdfeeders at night, where they hunt from a perched position then swoop down to catch the mice that come to feed on fallen seed

√ this bird is fond of bathing and has been known to visit backyard birdbaths at night

√ although small, this owl is fearless and has been known to dive at dogs, cats and even humans when defending it’s young

Adopt A Bird profiles are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

Adopt a Bird Spotlight: Acorn (Eastern Screech Owl)

Acorn's Story

Species: Eastern Screech Owl (Red Phase)
Hatched: 1995

Acorn is a real crowd pleaser. Whenever he comes on stage the comment is usually, "Isn't he cute!" but don't let his looks fool you. For their size, Eastern Screech Owls are among the feircest predators in nature.

Acorn is a verteran performer and has participated in presentations at Sea World Ohio near Cleveland among other venues. He is currently a favorite of the thousands of children who meet him in schools and auditoriums during one of our Raptor Awareness or Fur Feathers and Scales programs.

Your adoption fee will help to feed, house and care for Acorn in the coming year, so that he can continue to educate and entertain the future generation.

To adopt Acorn, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $50 and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: ACORN. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents receive:

• A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
• your personal visit.
• Certificate of Adoption
• Color photo of the bird you've adopted
• Sponsorship Card
• One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
• Life History and Natural History of the bird
• 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
• Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
• Discounts on WBS Special Events
• WBS Decal

Natural History

eastern screech owl
Otus asio

Description smallest eared owl in the eastern US; color ranges from grey to brown to reddish, but considered to be found in 2 color phases; gray found mostly in the north; red found mostly in the south; plumage is an excellent example of cryptic camouflage; color pattern of plumage resembles the bark of the trees so closely they are nearly invisible when still; identified by ear tufts and textured coloration

Sex: no visible differences between male and female

Age: up to 13 years

Length: 7-10”

Wingspan: 18-24”

Weight: 5-9 oz.

Habitat: wood lots, heavily wooded regions in rural areas, wooded strips of residential areas

Status: populations currently stable due to it’s ability to adapt to residential areas; often falls victim to vehicle collisions

Range: United States east of the Rocky Mountains and into northeastern Mexico

Behavior: nests in natural tree cavities, old woodpecker holes or man-made nest boxes; female lays 4-6 eggs that are incubated for 25-27 days; both parents feed the young; owlets leave the nest in about 4 weeks, but will be tended by the parents for another 5-6 weeks; can reproduce at 1 year of age

Diet: mainly insects, small mammals, birds, crayfish and earthworms

Vocalization: call is a long, high pitched, trilling call

√ have been known to visit backyard birdfeeders at night, where they hunt from a perched position then swoop down to catch the mice that come to feed on fallen seed

√ this bird is fond of bathing and has been known to visit backyard birdbaths at night

√ although small, this owl is fearless and has been known to dive at dogs, cats and even humans when defending it’s young

Adopt A Bird profiles are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

Adopt a Bird Spotlight: Timber (Eastern Screech Owl)

Timber's Story

Species: Eastern Screech Owl (Red Phase)
Hatched: Unknown

Timber arrived at the World Bird Sanctuary as a very young chick in 1999. He had suffered a wing injury when his tree was cut down. He was lovingly raised and trained by WBS staff members, who named him Timber because screech owls typically live in deeply wooded areas.

Even though he is very tiny (weight about 143 grams), Timber is fully grown with red plumage typical of the red phase of is species. In the summer of 1999, he began traveling with the World Bird Sanctuary's Education Department staff as a prime example of the impact that habitat destruction has on wildlife.

Your adoption donation will help to feed, house, train, and care for Timber so that he may continue to carry the message of the importance of preserving natural habitat to thousands of people each year. Adoptive parents who would like to visit Timber should call 636-861-3225 to make sure he is on site and to schedule a time for their special visit.

To adopt Timber, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $50 and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: TIMBER. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents receive:

• A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
• your personal visit.
• Certificate of Adoption
• Color photo of the bird you've adopted
• Sponsorship Card
• One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
• Life History and Natural History of the bird
• 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
• Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
• Discounts on WBS Special Events
• WBS Decal

Natural History

eastern screech owl
Otus asio

Description smallest eared owl in the eastern US; color ranges from grey to brown to reddish, but considered to be found in 2 color phases; gray found mostly in the north; red found mostly in the south; plumage is an excellent example of cryptic camouflage; color pattern of plumage resembles the bark of the trees so closely they are nearly invisible when still; identified by ear tufts and textured coloration

Sex: no visible differences between male and female

Age: up to 13 years

Length: 7-10”

Wingspan: 18-24”

Weight: 5-9 oz.

Habitat: wood lots, heavily wooded regions in rural areas, wooded strips of residential areas

Status: populations currently stable due to it’s ability to adapt to residential areas; often falls victim to vehicle collisions

Range: United States east of the Rocky Mountains and into northeastern Mexico

Behavior: nests in natural tree cavities, old woodpecker holes or man-made nest boxes; female lays 4-6 eggs that are incubated for 25-27 days; both parents feed the young; owlets leave the nest in about 4 weeks, but will be tended by the parents for another 5-6 weeks; can reproduce at 1 year of age

Diet: mainly insects, small mammals, birds, crayfish and earthworms

Vocalization: call is a long, high pitched, trilling call

√ have been known to visit backyard birdfeeders at night, where they hunt from a perched position then swoop down to catch the mice that come to feed on fallen seed

√ this bird is fond of bathing and has been known to visit backyard birdbaths at night

√ although small, this owl is fearless and has been known to dive at dogs, cats and even humans when defending it’s young

Adopt A Bird profiles are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

Adopt a Bird Spotlight: Goblin (Barn Owl)

Goblin's Story

Species: Barn Owl
Hatched: 2/23/08

Goblin was hatched at the World Bird Sanctuary's breeding facility in Valley Park, MO. At a very young age he was given into the care of our Office of Wildlife Learning (O.W.L.) staff where he has captured the hearts of young and old alike. He is now being trained to participate in our education programs, where he will act as a spokesbird for his species.

Barn Owls are still considered endangered in Missouri, and the birds in our Education Department are one of the most effective education messengers available for this beautiful species. Goblin will soon be teaching thousands of audience members about the usefulness of Barn Owls in controlling rodent populations. Did you know that one barn owl family (5-7 birds) can consume up to 25,000 rodents in a single year? It would be a tragedy to lose this beautiful and useful species due to habitat destruction and the overuse of pesticides.

Your adoption fee will help pay for his favorite food--mouse tidbits!

To adopt Goblin, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $100 and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: GOBLIN. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents receive:

• A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
• your personal visit.
• Certificate of Adoption
• Color photo of the bird you've adopted
• Sponsorship Card
• One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
• Life History and Natural History of the bird
• 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
• Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
• Discounts on WBS Special Events
• WBS Decal

Natural History

common barn owl
Tyto alba

Description medium sized owl; long, sparsely feathered legs; rounded head without ear tufts; heart shaped facial disk has white feathers surrounded with a brownish edge; beak off white, long, and compressed; rounded wings and a short tail; back tawny brown, marked with black and white spots; underside grayish white with brown spots; one of the few owls with completely dark eyes; feet yellowish-white to grayish-brown; downy feathers and fringed wing feathers give silent flight; asymmetrical ear location—one ear higher on one side of the head than the other

Sex: both sexes similar in size and color; females usually larger, heavier, darker in color than males; females and juveniles generally more densely spotted; sexually mature at 1 year; mate for life

Age: high mortality in the first year; average age in the wild is 2 years; few adults live beyond 3-4 years; oldest recorded wild barn owl in North America was 15 years, 5 months; captive birds have a much longer lifespan

Length: 14-20” Wingspan: 3.5’ Weight: 8-21 oz.

Habitat: prefers open land, prairies, grasslands and agricultural area for hunting; nest in natural hollows in trees, cliffs, caves, nestboxes, barns and other structures

Status: legal status across the entire US as a whole is “Not Endangered”; however, legal status in many states, including Missouri, is “Endangered”; causes of mortality are: loss of nesting sites, grasslands and pastures; great horned owl predation; vehicle collisions; shooting; poisons used to kill rodents which the owls eat; other factors which affect the rodent population

Range: every continent except Antarctica

Behavior: breeding season March through October; mating and courtship involve much chasing and screaming; nest is a scrape lined with pellets and debris; not extremely territorial; may nest within ½ mile of other pairs; usually 4-6 solid white eggs, sometimes more; one egg laid every 2-3 days, but incubating starts immediately hence there may be as much as two to three weeks difference in age of chicks in same brood; generally 3-4 young survive; incubation period 29-45 days; young fledge at 7-10 weeks, but do not leave the area until 3-5 months old; may lay a second clutch of eggs when young start to leave the area; usually hunt from a perch; also known to fly low over open fields in a quartering flight pattern to locate small rodents in their runs
Diet: majority of prey is small rodents , but will also hunt birds, fish, reptiles and insects

Vocalization: does not hoot; communicates with grunts, raspy hisses and drawn out hissing screams; male’s courtship call is a shrill repetitive twittering; adults returning to a nest give a low, frog-like croak; when disturbed at the roost or nest it makes hissing and rasping noises along with snapping sounds known as bill snapping


INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT BARN OWLS


√ A barn owl family (5-7 birds) can consume 25,000 rodents a year; one pair may take as many as 1,000 mice during the nesting season alone to feed their brood

√ 200 pellets from a pair of barn owls roosting above the Smithsonian Institute Building contained 444 skulls, including 225 meadow mice, 179 house mice, 20 rats, and 20 shrews—all caught in the city

√ Can catch prey by hearing alone in total darkness due to asymmetrical location of the ears which allows them to triangulate sound

√ Because barn owls tend to live in damp areas, a fungus grows on their feathers, giving them a phosphorescent glow at night—hence the often used name “ghost owl”

√ Common nicknames: ghost owl, monkey faced owl, white owl, night owl, Sweetheart Owl, church owl,

√ Throughout history, barn owls have been associated with omens, witchcraft, and death; they were used as symbols, in myths and as part of superstitious potions

√ The female’s breast spots are believed to be a stimulus to the male, indicating the quality of the female. When a female’s spots were experimentally removed, the male fed the nestlings at a lower rate than if the spots were left alone

Adopt A Bird profiles are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

We never get tired of the eagle owls...

Further adventures with the tennis ball (with a little nudge from me).



Eurasian eagle owls are the largest owls in the world. They pose a significant threat to the dreaded tennis ball and work ceaselessly to rid the office of this round yellow pest. That is, when they aren't napping or eating (or napping).

Adopt A Bird spotlight: Sirrocco (Peregrine Falcon)

Sirrocco's Story

Species: Peregrine Falcon
Hatched: Unknown

Sirrocco is a captive bred bird who came to us from another facility. In 1996, he was working at Scott Air Force Base as part of the Bird Air Strike Hazard program (B.A.S.H.). This program saves many lives every year by using falcons to deter other birds from flying in the vicinity of airfields, thereby preventing midair plane/bird collisions.

That year, while chasing a dove that flew toward a chain link fence, he was unable to veer off in time and collided with the fence, breaking both wingtips. At first it was thought that he would never fly again. However, after his wings healed one of our dedicated staff membersactually taught him to fly again, and he joined the BASH group at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. Unfortunately, it soon became clear tht he would never be able to manuever well enough to resume his air force career. He was returned to WBS to join our office of Wildlife Learning and began a new career as an education bird. When he's not traveling throughout the country with our education staff as an ambassador for his species, he can be found in the weathering area behind the Visitor Information Center at WBS headquarters in Valley Park, Missouri.

To adopt Sirrocco, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $100 and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: SIRROCCO. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents receive:

• A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
• your personal visit.
• Certificate of Adoption
• Color photo of the bird you've adopted
• Sponsorship Card
• One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
• Life History and Natural History of the bird
• 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
• Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
• Discounts on WBS Special Events
• WBS Decal

Natural History

peregrine falcon
Falco peregrinus

Description: large falcon; short tail; pointed wing tips; slate-gray above; black helmet on head; whitish neck; buff beneath; lightly barred breast; wing tips almost reach tail tip when perched; regional variations exist (very dark in the northwest to pale in the north

Sex: females have more brown than males

Age: juveniles are a dark buff color with heavy streaking underneath

Length: 16-20”

Wingspan: 3-3.7’

Weight: 1.6 lbs.

Habitat: open country, cliffs, cities

Status: once found across all of North America until pesticides such as DDT eliminated eastern populations, almost to extinction; pesticide banning and captive-breeding programs have helped with their recovery; seen year-round in the US, but uncommon to rare in the winter

Behavior: don’t build nests; lay 2-4 reddish, darker flecked eggs in cliff hollows; bare rocky outcrops, bridges or tall building ledges; 28 day incubation period by both parents; chicks leave the nest at 5-6 weeks; hunts by flying very fast and making dramatic swoops to catch prey in midair

Diet: small birds, large insects, small mammals

Vocalization: rapid “kek kek kek kek”, repeated “we chew” at nest

√ World Bird Sanctuary’s reintroduction program put over 300 peregrines back into Missouri’s wild

√ Peregrines are the fastest animals on earth and have been clocked diving at 287 mph

√ Three subspecies exist: pacific (Peale’s), tundra and the interior west.

Adopt A Bird profiles are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

Adopt A Bird spotlight: Osiris (Egyptian Vulture)

Osiris's Story

Species: Egyptian Vulture
Hatched: 1998

Osiris is the only Egyptian Vulture to be hatched by the World Bird Sanctuary. She was named after one of the oldest Egyptian gods, who was believed to be the god of life, death, and fertility.

Osiris is a real trooper with a long list of credits. She has appeared at the Milwaukee County Zoo, Grants Farm, Roger Williams Zoo in Rhode Island, the Boston Zoo, WBS Office of Wildlife Learning here in Valley Park, the Busch Gardens show in Virginia as their "Halloween Bird," and most recently, the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena.

Her trainers tell us that Osiris is VERY SMART, so smart, in fact, that they sometimes have to be very inventive to keep one step ahead of her when teaching a new behavior. They tell us that she is a great flyer, has a good memory, learns quickly, and likes to chew on her leash.

In our educational programs, Osiris demonstrates an amazing behavior developed by Egyptian vultures in the wild. They use tools! Osiris demonstrates this remarkable accomplishment by picking up stones on stage and dropping them on an ostrich egg to crack it. How her species originally developed this behavior is uncertain, but the use of tools by any animal is considered a landmark accomplishment.

During the off season, Osiris resides in the Education Training Center at the World Bird Sanctuary headquarters in Valley Park, MO. Because she does not live in an area normally open to the public and performs at zoo shows during the summer, adoptive parents will need to call 636-861-3225 to schedule a visit with her.

To adopt Osiris, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $100 and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: OSIRIS. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents receive:

• A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
• your personal visit.
• Certificate of Adoption
• Color photo of the bird you've adopted
• Sponsorship Card
• One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
• Life History and Natural History of the bird
• 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
• Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
• Discounts on WBS Special Events
• WBS Decal

Natural History

Egyptian vulture
Neophron percnopterus

Description smallest of all the European vultures; adult plumage white with some black feathers in the wings and tail; juvenile plumage is dark brown, gradually turning white by age five; beak long and slender with a blackish tip; facial skin yellow, turning orange during breeding and nesting seasons

Sex: plumage identical; female somewhat larger than male

Age: 37 years

Length: 33”

Wingspan: 5.5’

Weight: 4.5 lbs.

Habitat: plains, wetlands, uplands and mountains

Status: Endangered; Indian population has crashed due to use of NSAID Diclofenac in veterinary medicine, which enters the food chain of the species

Range: Southern Europe, North Africa, Western and Southern Asia

Behavior: Breeding display consists of flying high into the air and diving down, grasping claws on the way: pairs mate for life; nesting sites are rocky ledges and cliffs, preferring well sheltered areas with many cavities as they are colonial nesters; nest, consists of branches and sticks lined with garbage and food remains; 1-3 white eggs with dark brown spots laid between March and April; incubation is 42 days; young fledge at around 90 days

Diet: mainly carrion; also small mammals, insects, rotting vegetation and eggs; only vulture species to use tools; has learned to break ostrich eggs by picking up and flinging rocks and stones in the egg’s general direction until the egg cracks, then the bird enlarges the hole with it’s beak to get to the contents

Vocalization: generally silent

√ First recorded bird ever to be protected by law; one Pharoah felt so strongly that their job as a natural cleaner was so important he declared killing the bird was punishable by death. The vulture was always seen on the front of the pharaoh’s crown.

Adopt A Bird profiles are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

Adopt A Bird spotlight: Tobin (European Barn Owl)

Tobin's Story

Species: European Barn Owl
Hatched: 2003

Tobin was bred at the World Bird Sanctuary and is believed to be male. He was integrated into the education department in 2003. He has been hand raised by our staff to make him comfortable with humans.

Tobin was the first European Barn Owl flown by the World Bird Sanctuary. He was soon flying in programs. At first he was easily distracted due to age and inexperience. However, today he is a seasoned performer who is featured at many of our special events and programs.

Tobin is very popular with audiences and even our seasoned staff refers to him as "a cutie." However, he does have "attitude" when necessary.

Your donation will help to fund the cost of training, housing, and caring for this popular member of our Education Department, as well as supplying him with his favorite food: mouse tidbits!

To adopt Tobin, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $100 and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: TOBIN. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents Receive:

• *A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
• your personal visit.
• * Certificate of Adoption
• * Color photo of the bird you've adopted
• * Sponsorship Card
• * One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
• * Life History and Natural History of the bird
• * 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
• * Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
• * Discounts on WBS Special Events
• * WBS Decal

Natural History

European barn owl
Tyto alba alba

Description medium sized owl, smaller and lighter in color than American cousin; long, sparsely feathered legs; rounded head without ear tufts; heart shaped facial disk has white feathers surrounded with a brownish edge; beak off white, long, and compressed; rounded wings and a short tail; back tawny brown, marked with black and white spots; underside grayish white with brown spots; one of the few owls with completely dark eyes; feet yellowish-white to grayish-brown; downy feathers and fringed wing feathers give silent flight; asymmetrical ear location—one ear higher on one side of the head than the other which allows them to triangulate sound for hunting

Sex: both sexes similar in size and color, with females tending to be larger, heavier, and darker in color than males; females and juveniles generally more densely spotted; sexually mature at 1 year; mate for life

Age: high mortality rate in the first year; average age of a wild barn owl is 2 years; few adults live beyond 3-4 years; captive birds have a much longer lifespan

Length: 16” Wingspan: 2.5’ Weight: 9-13 oz.

Habitat: prefers open land, prairies, grasslands and agricultural area for hunting; nest in natural hollows in trees, cliffs, caves, nestboxes, barns and other structures

Status: European Barn Owl populations have been declining severely in much of their range. Due to loss of nesting habitat, only about 2,000 pairs remain in the wild in Britain

Range: British Isles, western France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and countries bordering the Mediterranean

Behavior: breeding season is March through October; mating and courtship involve a great deal of chasing and screaming; nest is a scrape lined with pellets and debris; not extremely territorial; can nest within ½ mile of other pairs; 4-6 solid white eggs (occasionally as many as 12); female lays one egg every 2-3 days, but starts incubating immediately hence there may be as much as two to three weeks difference in the age of chicks in the same brood; generally 3-4 young survive; incubation period 29-45 days; young fledge at 7-10 weeks, but do not leave the area until 3-5 months old; breeding pair may lay a second clutch of eggs when the young start to leave the area; in addition to hunting from a perch they are also known to fly low over open fields in a quartering flight pattern to locate small rodents in their runs
Diet: majority of prey is small rodents , but will also hunt birds, fish, reptiles and insects

Vocalization: does not hoot; communicates with grunts, raspy hisses and drawn out hissing screams; male’s courtship call is a shrill repetitive twittering; adults returning to a nest give a low, frog-like croak; when disturbed at the roost or nest it makes hissing and rasping noises along with snapping sounds known as bill snapping

√ Common nicknames: ghost owl, monkey faced owl, white owl, night owl, Sweetheart Owl, church owl

Adopt A Bird spotlight: Dawn (American Barn Owl)

Dawn's Story

Species: Barn Owl
Hatched: 2001

Dawn, a female barn owl, was hatched at the World Bird Sanctuary's breeding facility. She was carefully raised and trained by our handlers to be one of our education birds. She has worked at our Busch Gardens Tampa programs, and is currently traveling with our Education Department staff to teach audiences about the role Barn Owls play in the environment.

Dawn is a real trouper. Every year she amazes thousands of audience members by demonstrating the barn owl's silent flight. Your adoption fee will help to keep Dawn traveling with her message of conservation, particularly for those children who otherwise would never have the opportunity to see this beautiful creature of the night.

To adopt Dawn, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $100 and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: DAWN. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents Receive:

• *A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
• your personal visit.
• * Certificate of Adoption
• * Color photo of the bird you've adopted
• * Sponsorship Card
• * One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
• * Life History and Natural History of the bird
• * 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
• * Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
• * Discounts on WBS Special Events
• * WBS Decal

Natural History

common barn owl
Tyto alba

Description: medium sized owl; long, sparsely feathered legs; rounded head without ear tufts; heart shaped facial disk has white feathers surrounded with a brownish edge; beak off white, long, and compressed; rounded wings and a short tail; back tawny brown, marked with black and white spots; underside grayish white with brown spots; one of the few owls with completely dark eyes; feet yellowish-white to grayish-brown; downy feathers and fringed wing feathers give silent flight; asymmetrical ear location—one ear higher on one side of the head than the other

Sex: both sexes similar in size and color; females usually larger, heavier, darker in color than males; females and juveniles generally more densely spotted; sexually mature at 1 year; mate for life

Age: high mortality in the first year; average age in the wild is 2 years; few adults live beyond 3-4 years; oldest recorded wild barn owl in North America was 11 years, 6 months; captive birds have a much longer lifespan

Length: 14-20” Wingspan: 3.5’ Weight: 8-21 oz.

Habitat: prefers open land, prairies, grasslands and agricultural area for hunting; nest in natural hollows in trees, cliffs, caves, nestboxes, barns and other structures

Status: legal status across the entire US as a whole is “Not Endangered”; however, legal status in many states, including Missouri, is “Endangered”; causes of mortality are: loss of nesting sites, grasslands and pastures; great horned owl predation; vehicle collisions; shooting; poisons used to kill rodents which the owls eat; other factors which affect the rodent population

Range: every continent except Antarctica

Behavior: breeding season March through October; mating and courtship involve much chasing and screaming; nest is a scrape lined with pellets and debris; not extremely territorial; may nest within ½ mile of other pairs; usually 4-6 solid white eggs, sometimes more; one egg laid every 2-3 days, but incubating starts immediately hence there may be as much as two to three weeks difference in age of chicks in same brood; generally 3-4 young survive; incubation period 29-45 days; young fledge at 7-10 weeks, but do not leave the area until 3-5 months old; may lay a second clutch of eggs when young start to leave the area; usually hunt from a perch; also known to fly low over open fields in a quartering flight pattern to locate small rodents in their runs

Diet: majority of prey is small rodents , but will also hunt birds, fish, reptiles and insects

Vocalization: does not hoot; communicates with grunts, raspy hisses and drawn out hissing screams; male’s courtship call is a shrill repetitive twittering; adults returning to a nest give a low, frog-like croak; when disturbed at the roost or nest it makes hissing and rasping noises along with snapping sounds known as bill snapping

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT BARN OWLS

√ A barn owl family (5-7 birds) can consume 25,000 rodents a year; one pair may take as many as 1,000 mice during the nesting season alone to feed their brood

√ 200 pellets from a pair of barn owls roosting above the Smithsonian Institute Building contained 444 skulls, including 225 meadow mice, 179 house mice, 20 rats, and 20 shrews—all caught in the city

√ Can catch prey by hearing alone in total darkness due to asymmetrical location of the ears which allows them to triangulate sound

√ Because barn owls tend to live in damp areas, a fungus grows on their feathers, giving them a phosphorescent glow at night—hence the often used name “ghost owl”

√ Common nicknames: ghost owl, monkey faced owl, white owl, night owl, Sweetheart Owl, church owl,

√ Throughout history, barn owls have been associated with omens, witchcraft, and death; they were used as symbols, in myths and as part of superstitious potions

√ The female’s breast spots are believed to be a stimulus to the male, indicating the quality of the female. When a female’s spots were experimentally removed, the male fed the nestlings at a lower rate than if the spots were left alone.

Adopt A Bird spotlight: Bogart (Eurasian Eagle Owl)

Bogart's Story

Species: Eurasian Eagle Owl
Hatched: 1997

Bogart is assumed to be a male due to his size and the deep timbre of his "hoot." Since there are no visible differences between the sexes other than size, only egg laying, DNA testing, or surgical sexing would confirm or disprove this supposition.

Bogart is a great favorite with audiences. His five foot wingspan makes him a most impressive sight when he flies over the heads of audience members during a Raptor Awareness program.

Despite his imposing appearance, Bogart is considered a sweetheart by his handlers. He loves to dig nesting holes in his mew, and hopes to find the right human for his potential mate. For more on eagle owl love, see our Monday Morning Haiku post from March 17th. Bogart is also a very cute bather!

To adopt Bogart, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $150 and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: BOGART. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents Receive:

• *A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
• your personal visit.
• * Certificate of Adoption
• * Color photo of the bird you've adopted
• * Sponsorship Card
• * One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
• * Life History and Natural History of the bird
• * 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
• * Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
• * Discounts on WBS Special Events
• * WBS Decal

Natural History

Eurasian eagle owl
Bubo Bubo

Description similar to the great horned owl, but much larger; prominent ear tufts are usually laid back; streaked breast, mottled brownish feathers; some have orangish-brown feathers on the face, underparts, wings, and back; orange-yellow or deep fiery orange eyes; adults and juveniles similar in appearance

Sex: coloration the same for both sexes; females larger than males; call of the female is slightly higher pitched than the male’s

Age: once past first year, into the 20’s in the wild; recorded into their 60’s in captivity

Length: 24-30”

Wingspan: 5-7’

Weight: 3,5-9 lbs.

Habitat: rocky outcrops and coniferous forests; hunt in open plains areas; warm deserts; can be found in taiga, farmlands, steppes, semi-arid areas, grasslands

Status: never common; can be considered rare and locally endangered; have been shot and trapped extensively; affected by deforestation

Range: northern Europe through Asia and into northern Africa

Behavior: nests are shallow depressions scratched out on rock ledges or in caves; lay 1-4 eggs at 3-day intervals from the end of February to the end of April, depending on food supply; the female does the majority of the incubating for 31-36 days, while the male hunts; the chicks fledge at 7-8 weeks, but are cared for by the parents for 20-24 weeks; if the next is on the ground they may fledge earlier; swoop down on prey when hunting; can catch prey from the air or the ground, or may be seen plunging into water

Diet: medium sized mammals and birds, like opossums, hares, foxes, ducks, quail, and pheasant; also eat insects and small rodents; roe deer fawns; coastal residents may feed mainly on ducks and seabirds

Vocalization: long, booming “oo-hoooh”; females sometimes make a coarse “kraah” sound during mating season; chicks make the “kraah” sound as well; when threatened they may bark and growl

√ Eurasian eagle owls are the largest owls in the world and have no real predators except electrocution, collision with traffic and shooting

Adopt A Bird profiles are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.