Armadillos in Missouri

Many people who live in the Saint Louis area have lately noticed an increase in armadillo sightings. 

Rustle, the World Bird Sanctuary's nine-banded armadillo (photo: Cathy Spahn)

In the past we would only spot armadillos if we were heading to the southern part of Missouri.  However, they are finding their way up here, and there have even been some sightings as far north as the Missouri/Iowa border.  This is mainly because of climate change.  The warmer winters have made the northern section of Missouri more adaptable for them to migrate north.  So, it will not be uncommon to see these guys more and more as the years go on.

Since armadillos are becoming more common in the Saint Louis area, we should learn about them and why it is important to have them around.  Armadillos are mammals. They have a thin layer of hair covering their entire body. Their “shell,” which is actually bony plates with softer skin in between, protects their head.  They generally weigh between 11 to 14 pounds.  They have a long sticky tongue to help them catch their food.  Due to the fact that they have poor eyesight, they rely on their ears and nose to detect food and predators.  Mating season in this area occurs from July to August.  The female always produces maternal quadruplets.

Armadillos are most active from dusk until dawn.  During the winter months, you will only encounter one during the warmest time of the day.  They construct their home by building burrows, using their long sharp claws.  They use soil and grass to construct the habitats within their burrows.  They are even known to steal habitats created by other armadillos or tortoises.  Their self defense mechanism consists of them jumping straight up into the air; this is why they are often struck by automobiles.  They jump instead of run.

So, why do we need these guys as a part of our ecosystem?  They eat the insects and their larvae that “bug” us so often.  That is enough for me to appreciate these creatures being in existence.  If you happen to see one of these guys while you are at the park or on a walk, enjoy watching them, but do not make physical contact with them.  They are capable of contracting leprosy and transferring it to humans.  Not to worry about Rustle, though.  He’s been checked by our vet and is disease free.

If you want to see and learn more about armadillos, come and visit our resident armadillo, Rustle. He lives in the World Bird Sanctuary Nature Center, and is always a favorite with our guests.  You can also go to our website and adopt Rustle for $150.00.  This will help feed Rustle and pay for his medical care for one year.

Submitted by Erica O’Donnell, World Bird Sanctuary Front Office Coordinator

Mississippi Trip

On September 25, 2015, World Bird Sanctuary staff member Kelsey McCord and I packed the van with birds and all of the support equipment that goes with traveling for shows, and off we went on our adventure to Mississippi. 

This was our first year at the Arkabutla Lake Eagle Fest and my first ever trip to Mississippi.  We had a nice drive to Mississippi and arrived mid to late afternoon on a Friday.  Once we arrived at our hotel we got the birds set up in the hotel conference room.  It is always nice when the birds have their own room.

Lake Arkabutla (photo: Cathy Spahn)

On Saturday September 26, we got up early and headed to our program located at Arkabutla Lake.  Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc very nicely provided some fencing for the display area, so we set out the birds for their all day display from 10-4.  Because of close by trees we did not have to worry about shade for the birds, so we put the provided tent over the table we had set up with information about World Bird Sanctuary. 

Mortimer the Turkey Vulture was fascinated with the pinecones and pine needles (photo: Cathy Spahn)

Once we were set up we walked down to the shore of the lake and realized just how beautiful and large the lake is.  We had perfect temperatures for the display and programs.  Both Jersey the Barred Owl and Patriot the Bald Eagle were fascinated with something in the woods.  Mortimer, the Turkey Vulture, on the other hand was so excited to discover pine cones and pine needles.  He had a blast picking up the pine cones and tossing them and then chasing them.

We did two, 30-minute programs, free flying MacGyver, Harris Hawk and Mortimer, Turkey Vulture, and those two birds awed the audience.  Patriot then made her appearance.  You could see the excitement and awe in everyone’s face.  After the program I gave people the chance to have their photos taken with Patriot and Kelsey. 

After the first program there was a sunny spot in the birds’ weathering area and Patriot put on her sun display and started sunning herself to the delight of the passers-by. 

The best reaction I have ever had from a program came at the end of the second program.  As I finished the program Kelsey turned with Patriot and was walking out of the pavilion.  A young boy, about 8-10 years old, spoke up very loudly, saying, “That was Awesome!”  That was the best compliment of the weekend.  We had a ton of compliments, everyone loved the birds and the program, but that one moment was the best.

My first WILD nine-banded armadillo (photo: Cathy Spahn)

After we packed up at the end of the day and thanked everyone, we got on the road, and that is when the day got even better and I photographed my first wild nine-banded armadillo.  We did not think the trip could go any better and then that happened.

We are looking forward to returning to this great festival at a beautiful peaceful location!

Submitted by Cathy Spahn, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist/Trainer

Year Three of My 365 Photo Project

May has been a very busy month with lots of photography options.  My first opportunity came with a work adventure.

One of the Osprey parents circling overhead (photo:  Cathy Spahn)

 World Bird Sanctuary works with many organizations when it comes to bird issues.  In this case it came with an Osprey that had nested on a crane over 180 feet in the air.  The organization wanted to help the birds, yet the crane was needed.  So, several of us went on an adventure to rescue the eggs.  I stayed on the ground taking photos, since I have a very large fear of heights.

An unhappy Osprey parent (photo: Cathy Spahn)

Walter and Adam adventured up in a lift to the nest to rescue the eggs.  While taking photos of what was going on I took a few nice photos of the Osprey parents as they hovered overhead.   The eggs were taken to World Bird Sanctuary to be put in the incubator.  If the eggs hatch we will then raise the young for release back into the wild.

The next photo opportunity came at World Bird Sanctuary’s Annual Spring Camera Day.  I usually work the event, so I do not have a ton of time to take photos, but I can usually take a few.  There are two photos that came out of this day that I really like.  The first is Rustle, the Nine-banded Armadillo.

Rustle the Nine-banded Armadillo (photo: Cathy Spahn)

This year I decided to try something different and went for Rustle.  Rustle is a very challenging subject to photograph because he does not sit still.  We put Rustle on table with logs, leaves, flowers, and rocks.  He went to town plowing it all over and knocking about 80% on to the ground.  Then he discovered a small colony of ants that came out of the log and he got a nice big snack!  He had a good time and will be a guest again at camera day, but possibly in a different set up.

Oliver (above) & Timber (in box) demonstrating the two Screech Owl color phases (photo: Cathy Spahn)

The next Camera Day photo opportunity came at the end of the day.  I really wanted to try getting a few photos of our two Eastern Screech Owls Timber and Oliver in the same photo.  First the trick to this photo was to keep the birds separated so they could not get to each other.  The first set up involved a large log and one screech owl up high and one down low.  That was a good idea, but the photo was still very distant.  Then I remembered that we have a screech owl box set up.  We put Timber inside the box, since he does not mind the box.  Then we put Oliver on top, since he was not sure of the box earlier in the day.  They both sat perfectly!  This was my favorite of the two birds and a nice way to show the two different color phases.

Jim, the farmer, and me with two of the babies (photo: Jeff Meshach)

The last work adventure that resulted in many photos was a sudden trip.  One day I was leaving to head out bird watching when Jeff Meshach, WBS director, pulled up and asked if I would like to go with him to place Barn Owls for release.  Away we went heading south to a farm with 6 Barn Owls to be hacked into the wild. 

The Barn Owl fledglings adjusting to their new environment (photo: Cathy Spahn)

Hacking is the process of putting young birds into an artificial nest, or in this case a barn.  The nest is closed for a period of time (so the babies can’t leave) and humans provide food.  Then the doors are opened.  As the babies fly to and from the artificial nest, humans provide food for anywhere from a few days to a week.  This supplements food they may catch as they develop their flight skills.  The young are then off and on their own.  This method has been used for a long time and has helped to bring many endangered species back from the brink of extinction, such as the Peregrine Falcon.  This photo was taken by Jeff of Jim the farmer and me with two of the owls ready to go.

So these are just a few of my photos for the month.  Sometimes the photo opportunities are planned and other times they just happen.  I have had people say they want to come with me to take photos.  I can fully admit sometimes it really is just dumb luck on what comes about.  What makes the big difference is just getting out and taking photos--not just sitting at home waiting for something to happen.

Submitted by Cathy Spahn, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist