Tequila educates the humans...

Here is another bird from a recent weekend program, Tequila the harris hawk. At our weekend programs, visitors get the chance to see our birds in action and our birds get their necessary exercise. These short, informative shows occur every Saturday at 11:30 AM and 2PM and Sunday at 1:30. They are free, so come out and see us!

Tequila hones in on one of her trainers like a guided missile.

She flies directly over the heads of delighted audience members...

...straight to a training perch where she is rewarded with tasty rat bits. Yum!

Cooper's hawk rescued chick

Here is a video of another of our birds currently in rehab. In most cases, the best thing for baby birds is to be left alone. Most of the time their parents are still caring for them, and birds don't have a great sense of smell. They won't abandon their chicks because they "smell" like humans.

Hawk rescue

Another baby that has been brought to us for rehabilitation is this little broad-winged hawk:



World Bird Sanctuary relies on donations from our supporters to feed and care for our injured birds. Veterinary care is often expensive, but always worth it, especially when you see the bird released into the wild. If you'd like to help us with the cost of care, you can make a secure donation here on our blog by clicking the "donate" button, or visit our website at: http://worldbirdsanctuary.org/ and choose a fun option for donation!

Goodbye Travis

Travis, our red tailed hawk, died in her sleep Thursday evening. Rather than add new posts this week I'll be adding remembrances from those who knew and loved Travis to this post. Regular posts will resume next Sunday.



Travis was illegally taken from her nest as a chick and raised on a horrible diet of hot dogs and bologna which led to rickets and permanently bowed her legs. She was confiscated by the Missouri Department of Conservation and given to the World Bird Sanctuary in 1987. For 21 years she held a special place in our hearts.

After arriving at WBS, Travis was nurtured and fed an appropriate diet, but the early damage to her body could not be undone. In spite of this, she became a fixture in our education programs around the country. In 2003, Travis retired to our lower site where she lived a peaceful life surrounded by those who loved her.

During her time with WBS, Travis not only educated the public, but also our staff, interns, and volunteers. Our donors and sponsors made caring for Travis (who needed a lifetime of care and medicine) possible, and many took a special interest in her case. It is impossible to say how much this hawk meant to all of us, but here are some words in honor of Travis:

In memory of Travis, our magnificent hawk

Angela K: I'll never forget how happy Travis always was at feeding time. The eager sounds she made at the sight of a meal, and the way she'd jump right up to the perch for it, will always be something I will happily remember.

Jennifer B: She was a sweet bird who trained many staff and volunteers, and educated thousands of people in her life. We will miss her.

Stephanie P: Travis was a marvelous hawk. She taught me more than I can say. I'll miss watching her watch the squirrels around her mew.