The Raptor Project

Looking for something different to do this summer?

Come join us for the first in our Birds in Concert series for 2009. IT'S FREE!!

On Thursday, August 6, we kick off our Birds in Concert series with our own talented Raptor Project.



They will perform old favorites, such as "Don't Be a DoDo" and "A Turkey Named Fred". These are only two of the songs featured on their popular children's CD, "Save The Future".


The children in the audience become part of the act when they are invited to join the DoDo Bird on stage or decide to do an impromptu dance.




Some of the songs are accompanied by the silent
flight of our birds, who swoop over the heads of the audience.

Be sure to mark your calendars for Thursday, August 6. Bring your lawn chairs if you like. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

For the safety of our guests and our birds, we ask that you bring no pets please.

Adopt A Pig - Inca

INCA'S STORY

Inca is a parti-colored Abyssinian guinea pig.  He was whelped in 2007 and came to us as a very young pup.  He has become a real favorite with staff and visitors alike--especially the little ones.

Inca spends most of his days greeting visitors to our Nature Center.  When he is not in his enclosure it's a safe bet to assume that he's traveling with our Education Department staff to one of the many schools, preschools, or other children's groups that he visits each year as part of our Fur, Feather & Scales, or Care For Critters programs.

Inca is a very important part of our education team.  He gives the children the opportunity to touch one of our animals, and helps us to explain the differences between mammals, birds, and reptiles.  He also helps us to explain to the children which animals make good pets and why some others don't.

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

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the animal of your choice!  Adopt A Pig parents receive:

* A personal visit with the animal you adopt!!  Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for your personal visit.

* Certificate of Adoption

* Color photo of the animal you have adopted

* Sponsorship card

* One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)

* Life History and Natural History of the animal

* 10% discount off WBS merchandise

* Invitations to special Sponsors Only events like Camera Day

* Discounts on WBS special events

* WBS decal

Some Pig!!

Meet Inca--our resident guinea pig!!

What does a guinea pig have to do with birds, you may ask??

That's a really good question, and at first glance there may seem to be no relationship whatsoever.  However, have you ever watched a small child's reaction to something new -- animals in particular?  Their first instinct is to reach out and touch it!  Since our birds are not touchable, having a small pettable animal in the programs appropriate for the 3-13 age group allows them to be able to satisfy the urge to "touch".  

Inca is a very important part of our Fur, Feathers and Scales and our Care For Critters programs.  He helps us to explain to the children what makes birds, reptiles, and mammals different from each other.  It also allows us to explain to them why some animals make good pets and others do not, and emphasizes that if you choose an animal for a pet there are certain responsibilities that go along with that choice.

For more information about our educational programs and how you can have them presented for your group, go to our homepage by clicking on the link on the right side of the screen.

Coming Soon!!!

Mark your calendars!!!

It's almost time for the start of our yearly FREE "Birds in Concert" series.  That's right--I said FREE!  

Come join us every Thursday evening in August for live entertainment by local entertainers, and flight performances by our stars--the birds!! 

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Performers will be our own Raptor Project, featuring environmental, family, folk and rock music while our birds soar overhead.  

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Features the very popular funk and flamenco stylings of Javier Mendoza.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Babaloo will have the kids, as well as the adults, joining in with his hilarious antics.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Bluegrass fans will love the ever popular toe tapping music of the Tyson Valley Ramblers. 

At intermission meet one of our talented Ravens who has learned to accept donations directly from the hands of audience members!

Get a really close-up look at our nation's symbol.

Mark your calendars--every Thursday in August.  Performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

For more information contact us at:  

(636) 225-4390

-or-

 education@worldbirdsanctuary.org

The New Arrivals!

Remember those barn swallows we showed you about two weeks ago?

The literature says that the longer the male's tail feathers are, the more attractive he is to

 the female.  This guy must have had some pretty good "tail feather appeal".  Look what they did! 

Right now these babies look somewhat like little martians!!

Even though it's hard to believe, this little guy will soon look like his beautiful 

parents!

Both parents have been busy feeding this brood of four (there is another one in there, even though you can't see him).  

Rodney - Good-by Old Friend

It is with a sad heart that I post the news that our Red Lored Amazon Parrot, Rodney, passed away today.

He began exhibiting signs of weakness and lack of appetite earlier this week.  He was immediately seen by our vet, and two different kinds of medication were prescribed.  When he showed no improvement he was taken to the vet's office to have blood drawn and to be x-rayed.  It was found that he had a cancerous tumor that was inhibiting his ability to swallow his food, that there was already internal damage to his other organs, and that there were no other treatment options.  With great reluctance the decision was made to humanely euthanize him.

Rodney was brought to the Milwaukee County Zoo's bird show in 1985 by a family that could no longer care for him.  We are not quite sure how old he was at that time, since it is believed he was a wild caught bird.  

Rodney quickly adjusted to life as an education bird, and has helped to entertain millions of people during his lifetime.  He was a real favorite with staff and visitors.  He would entertain visitors to our Nature Center by greeting them with a cheery "Hi", "Hello", or "Hello Cookie".   He could also squeal like a guinea pig, and meow like a cat.  Occasionally, he might be heard to say "I want my ball back".  He will be sorely missed by one and all.

Adopt A Bunny - Hazel

HAZEL'S STORY

Species:  Mini Rex Rabbit

Whelped:  2007

Hazel was whelped at the Ralston Purina farm in Grey Summit, Missouri.  She was part of their rabbit nutrition study program, which monitored the health and growth rate of rabbits when fed different foods.  As she matured she became one of their breeders as a continuing part of the program.  Hazel has had four litters.  When Purina was purchased by another corporation the rabbit nutrition program was phased out, and we were fortunate to acquire Hazel and another rabbit for our education department programs.

Hazel is a classic example of a coloration pattern known as a Castor.  Mini Rex rabbits come in a multitude of colors (approximately 18), and are a very popular breed because of their plush coat, which feels like velvet when stroked.  They are often referred to as The Velveteen Rabbit, after the children's book of the same name.  This breed is very prolific and they are very good mothers.  They also excel in the sport of Rabbit Hopping.

When Hazel arrived at our facility she was a bit nervous about being handled, but after just a few days of being handled and stroked by our staff she has become very calm and seems to enjoy the contact.  

As a part of our Education Department, Hazel will greet visitors at our Nature Center, and will also travel with our staff as part of our Critters for Kids and Fur, Feathers and Scales programs to hundreds of schools and preschools.  She will help to demonstrate the differences between mammals, birds, and reptiles.  Since our birds are not touchable, Hazel will be a very popular part of those programs, since the children will get to actually touch and pet her.

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

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the animal of your choice!  Adopt A Bunny parents receive:

* A personal visit with the animal you adopt!!  Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for your personal visit.

* Certificate of Adoption

* Color photo of the animal you have adopted

* Sponsorship card

* One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)

* Life History and Natural History of the animal

* 10% discount off WBS merchandise

* Invitations to special Sponsors Only events like Camera Day

* Discounts on WBS special events

* WBS decal

Send a Friend a Brick!

Did you know that our bricks are not just for memorials?

Our Buy a Brick campaign to pave the stairs and amphitheater area is off to a good start with a number of bricks being purchased as memorials to friends and loved ones who have passed on.  

However, did you know that memorials are not the only occasion for which you might like to purchase a brick?  They could be purchased to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, to honor a friend or relative who means something special to you, or as a family, to celebrate a family reunion.

Groups, such as families, scout troops, schools, or a school class could pitch in and combine their funds to purchase a brick which would be a lasting memory to commemorate a special occasion.  

How fun would it be ten, fifteen, or twenty years from now to bring your children or grandchildren to the Sanctuary and be able to tell them, "See that brick?  When I was in second grade our class (or school) pitched in and bought that brick for the Sanctuary!"

Since we are planning to begin the paving project at the top of the stairs and work our way down, the commemorative bricks will be one of the first things visitors see when they visit our site.  

We're very excited about this project, and hope you will be too!!

Adopt A Bunny - Patches

PATCHES' STORY

Species: Mini Rex Rabbit

Whelped:  2005

Patches was whelped at the Ralston Purina farm in Grey Summit, Missouri.  She was part of their rabbit nutrition study program which monitored the health and growth rate of the animals when fed different foods.  As she matured she became one of their breeders as a continuing part of the program.  Patches has had several litters.  When Purina was purchased by another corporation their rabbit nutrition program was phased out, and we were fortunate to acquire Patches and another rabbit for our education department programs.

Patches is a Mini Rex, also known as Velveteen Rabbit.  Her coloration pattern is known as Broken Castor (Castor is the name for the dark patches).  Mini Rex rabbits typically weigh between 3 to 4 1/2 lbs. (Patches weighs slightly more than that right now.)  The Mini Rex was derived from the Standard Rex breed, which is larger (typically weighing between 7 1/2 to 10 1/2 lbs.)  

Now that Patches is a part of our education team she will spend her days meeting young visitors at our Nature Center in Valley Park, and traveling to schools and preschools as part of our Critters for Kids, and Fur, Feathers and Scales programs.  

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

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the animal of your choice!  Adopt A Bunny parents receive:

* A personal visit with the animal you adopt!!  Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for your personal visit.

* Certificate of Adoption

* Color photo of the animal you have adopted

* Sponsorship card

* One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)

* Life History and Natural History of the animal

* 10% discount off WBS merchandise

* Invitations to special Sponsors Only events like Camera Day

* Discounts on WBS special events

* WBS decal

Bunnies At A Bird Sanctuary???

Why do we have bunnies, you may ask....

Meet Patches and Hazel, our two newest residents.  They came to us from Purina's Research Farm when the Rabbit Nutrition Study program was phased out.  

Patches is a Broken Castor color Mini Rex rabbit.  She is 4 years old and has already had several litters.  When Patches arrived she was already very calm and didn't seem to mind being handled and petted.

Hazel is 2 years old and has had several litters also.  She too is a Mini Rex rabbit and a good example of the Castor color.

When she first arrived at WBS Hazel was docile, but a bit jumpy about being stroked.  However, since our animals are handled on a daily basis, she is already finding that being stroked by humans isn't such a bad thing, and now seems to be enjoying the contact with our staff and our small visitors. 

This brings us to why there are bunnies at a Bird Sanctuary!  A great many of our outreach programs are presented at preschools and elementary schools, for audiences ranging from two to fourteen year olds.  The first impulse for this age child is to want to touch the animals.  Unfortunately, our birds are not touchable.  However, the bunnies and guinea pigs are very touchable and satisfy this urge.  Plus, they help us to explain the differences between birds, mammals and reptiles to the children.  So....the bunnies are very important members of our education team.

When you come to visit, be sure to stop by to see and pet Patches and Hazel.  When you pet them you'll realize why this breed is also referred to as "The Velveteen Rabbit".

Barn Swallows are back....

They're back and they're busy!!

The barn swallows are back from their annual trip south.  These beautiful, gregarious little birds migrate as far south as Mexico, the Lesser Antilles, Costa Rica, Panama and South America every winter.  (Hmmm, maybe I'll come back as a swallow in my next life.)

Every summer they return to breed throughout North America.  This particular pair chose to make their nest on top of a light fixture on a dock at Lake of the Ozarks.  I love to watch

 these graceful little creatures as they swoop and dive after insects over the lake.  Even more amazing is their ability to get a drink by dipping their beaks into the lake as they skim over the water.

This pair is relatively fearless as they go about their nesting duties right over the heads of the  

 swimmers, boaters and fishermen who regularly use this dock.  

It's Not Too Late!!

It's not to late to join the World Bird Sanctuary group on our Alaska Trip!!

I just spoke to our travel agent, and she tells me there are still a few cabins left aboard ship for our July 26th sailing!!  

We'll be departing from Seattle, WA. aboard the m.s. Westerdam on July 26th and returning on August 2nd.  Our itinerary will include a full day of cruising beautiful Glacier Bay, with stops in Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria, B.C. 

 There are a multitude of shore trips offered for each of these ports--or you are free to explore on your own.

If you've been considering an Alaska cruise and would like to join a fun loving group to explore Alaska's Inside Passage, just call Melissa Garrison at Altair Travel & Cruises at 314-968-9600 or 800-794-9271.  Tell her you would like to join Walter Crawford's World Bird Sanctuary group aboard the m.s. Westerdam on July 26th.

Water Play

On a hot summer day our birds are like kids playing in the backyard sprinkler.

Here are some "before" and "after" photos.

Meet Chrys, our magnificent Long Crested Eagle!  OK--so let's see how YOU look right after stepping out of the shower!

Max, our Tawny Eagle seems to be able to look stately whether he's wet or dry.

Then there's Skyler, the Lizzard Buzzard, who manages to look "cute" no matter what he does!

Come out and meet these three characters in our weathering area.  They always have a tub of water available for impromptu bathing sessions.