Donate A Car

Donate your Car to WBS before August 31^st, and get a FREE Return to the Wild or Sing-a-long Program!

Did you know that you can help World Bird Sanctuary to achieve our mission by donating your old car?

Image: Car

We'll take your old car off your hands and you'll get a tax-deductible letter acknowledging your donation.  If you donate your car between now and August 31^st, we'll give you a FREE Return to the Wild  OR Sing-a-long Program to thank you for your donation!

All proceeds raised from the cars donated to World Bird Sanctuary go directly towards the care and treatment of wild birds admitted to our wildlife hospital.

If you would like to take part in this program, contact Catherine Redfern at credfern@worldbirdsanctuary.org or at 636-225-4390 ext 102.

Javier Is Back!!

Birds in Concert Promo 2 – July 30^th 2012

Javier Mendoza at Birds in Concert this Thursday!

Join us this Thursday for our first Birds in Concert for 2012!  Our first featured artist is the ever-popular Javier Mendoza.

 Join us for the wildly popular Javier Mendoza concert

Javier Mendoza is a talented singer, songwriter, and performer, whose music inspires all with its honesty and spiritual power. Born in Virginia, raised in Spain and Germany, and now living in St. Louis, Missouri, he continues to work hard and gain fans one show at a time.

Throughout his twelve-year music career, he has received many honors such as Best Male Solo Artist in the 2011 Riverfront Times Music Awards, Best Latin Artist by KDHX Radio in 2009 and best St. Louis World Music and Pop artist 2000-2004. He has worked with some of the best musicians in the region and has shared the stage with Willie Nelson, Los Lobos, Idina Menzel, Duran Duran and many more.

The energy he delivers is truly amazing and must be experienced to be believed.

Javier is focusing on "Now" and what an incredible journey life can be if you let it. When the big record labels come knocking, Javier will be ready. Until then, he plans to make the most of every second!

Date: Thursday, August 2^nd, 2012

Time: 7.00 – 8.30pm

Admission & Parking: FREE!

See The Raptor Project, followed by Javier Mendoza.  

Play the Whole Foods Market prize wheel before the concert, and during intermission, for fun prizes!

Birds in Concert is Sponsored by Ameren Missouri. 

Bring your blankets and picnics and join us for a fun evening!

The Grateful Robin

Following is another fable by our talented storyteller Allison Brehmer whose “day job” is the supervising the day-to-day operation of the World Bird Sanctuary’s Educational Training Center (ETC).

THE GRATEFUL ROBIN

Once upon a time, as most stories begin, there was a Mother Robin with her nest of three eggs.  She had tended to them and diligently sat on them waiting for the day that they would poke their precious little heads out into the world.

One day while she was sitting on her eggs, a group of three young lads passed by under her nest.  Two of them happened to look up and notice the Mother Robin’s nest.  “Let us take that Robin’s eggs and make a meal of them,” one of them remarked.  The one agreed, but the youngest shook his head.  “Leave the poor thing alone.  Those eggs would barely be a mouthful.” The other two grumbled and continued on their way.

With a sigh of relief, Mother Robin flew down to the young man’s shoulder,  “Thank you kind Sir,” she bowed to him, “I have been sitting and caring for my eggs for such a long time and they are nearly ready to hatch.  You have saved my children and for that, we will help you.  Whenever you are in trouble, merely think of me, and my children will appear.”  The young man said that wasn’t necessary, but the Mother Robin insisted.  He thanked her and continued on his way.

A few days later, all of Mother Robin’s hard work was rewarded when two lovely daughters and a handsome son were born to her.  Time passed and they soon grew up into some of most beautiful Robins to have ever been seen. A few days before her brood was ready to set out on their own Mother Robin suddenly thought of the young man. She looked to her first daughter and said, “The young man that spared your lives before you hatched must be in some trouble. Go to him and see if you can help.”  “Of course Mother,” said the eldest, and flew off. 

She soon found the young man sitting amongst several piles of twigs.  “It is I, one of Mother Robin’s children that you saved.  I have come to help you,” she announced herself.  “Loveliest of Robins,” he greeted her, “I seek the hand of the Princess, but she wants me to make a hundred baskets by the end of the day; but I don’t know how to weave.”  The Robin laughed and said, “That is no problem.  Rest your head and leave it to me.”

She bounced and twirled and soon all the baskets were made.  The young man thanked her and she flew back to her Mother.  The next day, Mother Robin thought of the young man again and sent her other daughter to him.  She found him sitting amongst a field of berry bushes.  “It is I, one of Mother Robin’s children that you saved.  I have come to help you,” she bowed to him.  “Fairest of Robins,” he greeted her, “The Princess has commanded me to pick all these berries and place them in the baskets that your sister made by the end of the day.”  “Rest easy,” the Robin laughed, “This will all be done before the sun sets.”  In no time, the Robin had picked all the berries and separated them into the appropriate baskets. 

The young man thanked her, and she flew back to her Mother’s nest.  The next day, Mother Robin thought of the young man again and sent her son to the young man.  He soon found him and said, “It is I, one of Mother Robin’s children that you saved.  I have come to help you.”  The young man greeted him, “Most handsome of Robins, the Princess has commanded me to assemble a chorus that will make her cry with sadness and joy.  I can play the lute, but I don’t think that even I can do that.”  “Have no fear,” the Robin laughed, “Tell the Princess that you will play for her tonight.  Merely begin to play upon your lute and I will take care of the rest.” 

That very night, before the Princess and her court, the young man began to play.  It was a soft song that grew louder with each note.  The court was impressed, but the Princess was not.  The young man could see that he was failing.  Just as he was about to give up, the Robin appeared and joined in the song.  Their song rose into the air and filled the place with such sweet music that the whole court burst into tears, but the Princess wouldn’t show any emotion.  Seeing this, the Robin called out and all the birds of the world poured into the court.  They sang, each in their own unique voice and song.  The song ended with the Robin’s voice.  The Princess cried with both tears of joy and sadness at the song. The young man had won her hand and they were married.

As for the Mother Robin and her children, they went their merry way and raised chicks of their own and everyone lived happily ever after.

Submitted by Allison Brehmer, World Bird Sanctuary ETC Supervisor

The Importance of Rehab

We’ve often been asked why wildlife rehabilitation is important?  Why spend large sums of money on an animal nobody owns, to get it back into the wild?  Does saving one animal and returning it to the wild really make a difference?

 A Mississippi Kite admitted to rehab with an injured wing

At World Bird Sanctuary between 300-400 wild sick, injured or orphaned birds are admitted to our wildlife hospital each year.  Our hospital staff does everything they can to treat them and get them back out into the wild.  Our release rate is high – about 50% of these birds are released back into the wild.  The remaining birds either have injuries that they will not recover from and have to be euthanized, or they die during hospitalization. 

So why does World Bird Sanctuary spend approximately $55,000 per year to cover the costs of running our wildlife hospital?  Why do we continue to treat and release birds? 

Walter C. Crawford Jr., Executive Director and Founder of the World Bird Sanctuary is emphatic about the Sanctuary’s commitment to wildlife rehabilitation:

 Executive Director, Walter Crawford, and Liberty, a Bald Eagle who is alive today only because of rehab

“Rehabilitation is a highly controversial topic.  Many conservation professionals and wildlife biologists feel that rehabilitation is a waste of time and money, rather than a productive avenue to species preservation.  Others, just as qualified, feel rehabilitation is necessary.

“On one hand, we must provide a service to help solve the problems that humans have created.  But we must do so in a professional manner that minimizes concerns, monetary expenditures and the energy of those who are responsible for regulating this area of wildlife protection.  Many will say that the money spent to rehabilitate a Red-tailed Hawk would be better spent on habitat management and the purchase of land.

“Perhaps this is true, but who among you would tell a child or other concerned citizen that they should just kill an animal they’ve rescued?  Humans are responsible for causing the large numbers of injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife, so we should be held responsible for their care and treatment. 

 Our rehab team, Dr. Stacey Schaeffer, Roger Holloway and Joe Hoffman work to remove an arrow from a Hawk's chest

“For those individuals who say ‘let nature take its course’, this is not nature, but something we have created, are responsible for and must respond to in some way.  But this needs to be managed properly – with the right medical care, housing, nutrition, captive management and captive conditioning.  As much as we owe these creatures the treatment for what we have done to them, we also owe them the courtesy of preserving their integrity and quality of life. Mother Nature has created a unique system of life, but it is not the utopian state that many visualize.  All animals are born, struggle to live and then die.  We cannot change what evolution has developed.  Personal feelings must be put aside, and in many instances this can be difficult. 

 Sanctuary Manager, Joe Hoffmann, holding the arrow removed from this Hawk

“Most importantly, wildlife rehabilitation provides us with hard facts and scientific data on how humans are affecting the creatures that share the earth with us.  We also have a unique educational opportunity when rehabilitating wildlife.  Education is the key to the future and essential to our mission of preserving wildlife.  We have proof of humans interfering with the web of life.  What better way to get our message to the public?  Show them what is happening and explain what must be done to change it.”

The above article was originally printed in The Mews News in 2009 and we felt it was something we should share with our blog readers.

BARN OWL RELEASE

The flutter and calamity of fresh wings, the speckled brown against the blue sky, and the lighthearted feeling of freedom in the hearts of everyone involved….

….these are all the familiar signs of another bird being successfully released into the wild by the World Bird Sanctuary. 

However, the World Bird Sanctuary is no stranger to success.  They released well over 600 Barn Owls between 1981 and 1986.  These release numbers have decreased since then, but there are still many releases.  Barn Owls are not the only birds of prey the World Bird Sanctuary has released; they have also released Peregrine Falcons and Bald Eagles hatched at the Sanctuary. 

 Jeanne Sinquefield and WBS Director Jeff Meshach inspect one of the young Barn Owls before release into her barn

When releasing baby birds into the wild we use a process called hacking.  With this process it’s important we keep the birds from becoming dependent on hand feeding.  We use a box, or in the case of Barn Owls a barn, that acts somewhat like a nest.  For a few days we leave the birds in their “box” and leave them food every day.  After about a week, we open a hole in the box (or barn) so the youngsters can come and go as they wish.  Some leave the “nest” and don’t come back, hopefully successful in their endeavors on their own, but we keep leaving food for them for a couple of days just in case they are unsuccessful and need to come back.  Eventually, they all leave the “nest”.

On May 17, Director Jeff Meshach and I drove out to Jeanne Sinquefield’s property near Jefferson City, Missouri to place four Barn Owls in Jeanne’s barn.  I watched as one by one the baby owls stared into their new environment before spreading their wings.

 WBS Director Jeff Meshach about to release another of the Barn Owls

Captive breeding being one of the ways that the World Bird Sanctuary helps preserve threatened species, I felt extremely lucky to be a part of such an amazing experience.  Three of the Barn Owls were hatched this year in March and one seemed to acclimate to being in the barn very quickly.  Jeanne will feed them for the next week and then open the barn, continuing to feed them until they have all left the “nest”. 

Barn Owls are very important to the ecosystem, especially in farming areas.  Their diets are mostly rodents, which are pests in the farming communities. 

 Two young Barn Owls inspecting their new world

If anyone would be interested in donating the use of their barn, and their time, in helping with Barn Owl releases please don’t hesitate to get in contact with Jeff Meshach at 636-861-3225. 

If you don’t have a barn, but would like to help sponsor the release of a beautiful raptor back into the wild, you could sponsor a rehabilitated bird release or adopt one of our resident birds as part of our Adopt A Bird program.

For more information about the many other programs and activities The World Bird Sanctuary has to offer go to our website’s Home Page.

Submitted by Kaitlin Conti, World Bird Sanctuary Intern

Hearing...It's Not What You Think It Is

It’s that time again--time for another blog.  This time I wanted to share some interesting tidbits I discovered while researching hearing in the animal kingdom.

This Barn Owl's ears are not where you would expect them to be

Since spending so much time with a Barn Owl, I’ve become curious about the way they see the universe.  I already knew what little we go over in the time allowed during programs for the sanctuary (like how their ear flaps are situated so one is higher and further back on the side of the head than the other, or that their facial discs act like little satellite dishes and direct sound to their ears), but I was hungry for more.  And so, on to Google!

My first instinct was to search for the animal with the best ears and work my way down from there.  That, however, proved to be a mistake, as it turns out, an “ear” is not as static a concept as previously conceived.  There is more than one way to skin a cat, as it were.  Not all animals strictly use the ears on the sides of their heads for hearing, and many pick up vibrations through other parts of their bodies.

Sound is defined as a vibration through a medium.  In general, we here on Earth pick up the vibrations in the air around us.  Every time you have a conversation with a friend, attend a concert, or honk your horn at the jerk who just cut you off in traffic, your ears are picking up those vibrations in the air and sending them to our brains for interpretation.  Of course air is not the only thing that can carry vibrations, and in fact, air is actually one of the least reliable mediums in which to transmit sound.  So it should come as no surprise (though I have to admit it caught me off guard) that some of the best listeners in the animal world rely more on earth or water for transmission of vibrations.

 These African Elephants can hear with their feet!

Elephants come in towards the top of the list for the sheer range of hearing.  These giants of the African savannah can communicate for up to thirty miles over land.  You might not think this is too terribly unrealistic; they do have some impressive ears.  No, the impressive part is that they are not listening with their ears, but rather, with their feet.  Ultra-low frequencies are generated in the chest of the first elephant, perpetuated through the Earth, and received through the feet of other elephants.

This Bottlenose Dolphin "hears" through it's jaw

Dolphins find themselves on the other end of the spectrum.  They too have found a way to communicate over great distances, and like the elephant, have found the “ear” rather unnecessary.  Dolphins are able to pick up ultra-high frequencies through their jaws.

We have peered into Pandora’s Box.  Now we know.  Our search for the best auditors has only just begun, but Mother Nature is not going to give up her secrets without a fight.  We have found two animals occupying the extremes of the audible spectrum.  I’ve got some work to do.  Check out my next blog and we will continue our adventure.

Submitted by Neal Cowan, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Guided Nature Hike

Hey! There's Nature in My Woods!

Family-friendly guided nature hikes! 

Join us for a leisurely two-hour hike through our oak hickory forest to see what kind of nature is in our woods.  An expert naturalist will lead you on your hike - where you may see birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.  Learn about trees, rocks and who knows what else?  Each hike will be a new experience as the seasons change and we encounter different creatures.

  

·       Fourth Saturday of every month from April through October.

·       9am - 11am (registration at 8.30am)

·       $9 per adult; $7 per child

Reservations required - call 636-225-4390 ext. 0

Bring your family!  Bring your friends!  Bring your camera!  Bring your picnic!  And join us outside in May for fun family entertainment!

Free Electronics Recycling

Recycle your old electronics, FREE!

Join us at Whole Foods Market Town & Country this weekend!  Help World Bird Sanctuary and Whole Foods Market preserve habitat by recycling your old electronics, for free, this Saturday!

Keep trash out of landfills

Did you know that you can recycle just about anything?  If you have any old electronics, metal or other listed items, bring it by Whole Foods Market Town & Country this Saturday, and RNA Worldwide will Recycle it for you, at no cost!  A cheaper alternative than paying a recycler to take it off your hands, and you get to help the environment!

All electric/metal items are accepted (including large appliances) – if it plugs in to a wall, runs off of batteries (or the batteries themselves) they will take it.

We will be there with a Bald Eagle, a snake and a recycling raven.  So come and learn about the importance of recycling from some of our feathered friends whose habitats are threatened while getting rid of your unwanted or broken items.

Date: Saturday, July 21^st, 2012

Time: 8 am – 2 pm

Venue: Whole Foods Market Town & Country parking lot

Address: 1160 Town and Country Crossing Drive, Town and Country, MO 63017

Do your part and recycle those unwanted items for free this weekend

Sponsored by Whole Foods Markets

Birds in Concert--Coming Soon

Birds in Concert is back!  Meet the new bands!

It's almost time again for Birds in Concert 2012! 

   Sometimes everybody gets into the act

World Bird Sanctuary’s in-house band, “The Raptor Project” performs songs from their popular children’s environmental education CDs "Save the Future" and "All Along the Watershed" while birds fly just inches over your heads.  Fun songs include “Turkey Named Fred”, “Roadkill Shiver”, “What’s the Matter”, “Animal Noises” and others.

 Our in-house band, The Raptor Project, plays while our birds perform

“Raptor Project” performances are followed by performances by local artists, including Javier Mendoza, Babaloo, The Rebounds and the Augusta Bottoms Consort.

  Our first Birds In Concert will feature the ever popular Javier Mendoza

Join us from 7.00 – 8.30pm, every Thursday evening in August

August 2nd - Javier Mendoza

August 9th - Raptor Project

August 16th - Augusta Bottoms Consort

August 23rd - Babaloo

August 30th - The Rebounds

Admissions and parking are FREE.  No reservations required.  Just bring yourself and your picnic.  Concessions will be on sale.

Watch this space for more about each of the artists that will be performing.

Sponsored by Ameren Missouri

Parrots Galore: Part 5

Welcome back to the final issue of the Parrots Galore series.  Today’s subject is Jazz, my Green-cheeked Conure.  If you would like to read about my other birds, which are budgerigars, I encourage you to explore the rest of this site. 

 Jazz--my Green-cheeked Conure

I found Jazz at a pet store five years ago.  I visited him once a week for six weeks before I finally decided to bring him home with me.  His “personality” was amazing!  He would step up to my finger with ease and then travel up my arm onto my shoulder and into my hair.  The price I paid for him was the most I had ever spent on an animal, but he was well worth it.  His big personality makes up for his small size.  He is about 10 inches long and weighs in at about 75 grams (about 2.5 ozs.).  I have owned budgies for over 16 years and when I brought Jazz into the flock he was at least twice as large as my other birds.  Budgies are about seven inches long and weigh between 30-40 grams so I really had to get used to his size difference.

I give Jazz a variety of foods, which consist of pellets, seeds, some fruits and vegetables.  Pellets are a scientifically made food product that consists of all the nutrients to fulfill the needs of animals.  Dry dog or cat food is very similar to bird food in pelleted form.  You may have to go to a pet store to find pelleted bird food, as it is not commonly found in most grocery stores.  Jazz’s favorite seed is the safflower seed.  Usually most parrots that I’ve encountered favor sunflower seeds above all others, but not Jazz.

In the wild Green-cheeked conures are found in South America, more specifically Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil.  Their lifespan ranges from 20 to 25 years.  Their diet in the wild includes various seeds, fruits and nuts. 

There are many different species of Conures. Green-cheeked Conures are one of the smaller species.  Conures range from 9 inches to 19 inches in length and weigh from 60 grams to over 300 grams.  There are over 40 different species and over 100 subspecies of Conures in the world today. 

Green-cheeked Conures have five different color mutations that include cinnamon, yellow-sided, pineapple, turquoise and green/red/blue mutations.  The last mutation is the rarest mutation of them all. 

 Jazz is very affectionate

Jazz is the most interactive parrot I have ever owned.  He absolutely loves attention, is very social and has many toys he likes to play with during the day.  His favorite toys are bells and balls with bells inside them.  In addition, Jazz also loves to preen my hair, especially when it’s wet.  Whenever he is in his cage or on the platform of his door, he can be seen hanging upside down swinging from side to side.  He has a lot of energy to expend every day and does a great job doing it! 

Green-cheeked Conures are not great at mimicking sounds, but can learn to mimic a few words and phrases.  Jazz’s vocabulary includes such phrases as “Jazzy bird”, “cutie”, “huh?”, “What are you doing?”, and “look at you!”.  Out of all of the phrases that he can say, I did not teach them to him purposefully (this is something all potential parrot owners must remember, for parrots will pick up bad words and phrases).  I was quite astounded when I first heard him repeat my words to me.  His first words were, “What are you doing?”  I couldn’t believe it, but it was true.  I’d had him for about six to seven months before he repeated words and phrases.

A very funny example of how endearing his behavior can be is this: One evening I went into the bathroom and shut the door.  Jazz was in the other room free flighted (not in his cage).  Moments later, he flew down to the bathroom door, put his head towards the bottom of the door and said “What are you doing?”.  That was so hysterical! He does not put his phrases or words into context very often, but when he does I enjoy it very much.  When I leave him and the other birds in the morning to go to work, I say “good bye” and “I love you” and Jazz in turn says “Look at you!”  This seems to have become our morning ritual.  I have been trying to teach him to repeat, “I love you,” for well over two years now, but he still has not said it.  I am determined that he will learn it so I am not giving up. .  I have the feeling that he will say it one day out of the blue when I am least expecting it.

At night when he goes to sleep, he climbs into a fuzzy blue tent that hangs at the top of his cage.  Once he is in it, all you can see is his tale sticking out.  He has slept in that tent for over four years now.  I would think he would get tired of it, but he must love the feeling of his “little nest”. 

Jazz is the happiest bird I have ever known and I love him very much.  I'm sure all of you bird owners out there can understand that!  Enjoy your time exploring the rest of this site when reading about other bird encounters and stories! 

Submitted by Lisbeth Hodges, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Join Us For A Sing-a-long

Learning CAN be fun with World Bird Sanctuary’s Sing-a-Long Programs!

 Children are invited to sing along with a live band member

Are you looking for a new and entertaining way to teach children about the environment?  Something that will hold their attention AND teach them about the creatures that share our planet?  Have you considered a Sing-a-Long  Program?

The World Bird Sanctuary’s in-house band The Raptor Project has released two popular environmental education children’s music CD’s.  “Save the Future” features songs about birds that share our sanctuary with us, and includes favorites like Turkey Named Fred, The Vulture Song, The Owl Song, Hawk of the Highway and Wonderful Birds.

The new CD, “All Along the Watershed” explores wider environmental themes with songs about watersheds and the importance of water in our everyday lives.  These important topics are covered in an entertaining way through songs like Clean Water, Mr. Frog Blues, White Pelican, Birds in my Backyard, Animal Noises and What’s the Matter.

 Educational facts are presented in a unique and entertaining way

These themes are explored in a unique sing-a-long program where children can sing along to the songs performed live by a band member, interspersed with more information about the animals in the songs.  This program uses live animals to help interpret the messages in the song, and includes your choice of “Save the Future” or “All Along the Watershed” CD.

Call our Education Department at 636-225-4390 ext. 0 to book your Sing-a-Long program today! 

You can sample songs from each CD here:

“Save the Future” 

“All Along the Watershed” 

If you are interested in purchasing either of the CD’s, you can do so here .  100% of the proceeds of Raptor Project CD sales go directly towards the care and treatment of birds admitted to our wildlife hospital.

Submitted by Joe Hoffmann, Sanctuary Manager

Meet Minerva

Up until now we’ve only given you quick peeks at one of the most endearing residents at the World Bird Sanctuary.  Now we want you to meet Minerva in all of her irresistible charm!

Can you do this?

Everyone’s first reaction when introduced to this feathered bundle of personality is a resounding “Aaaaw!” 

  How about this?

As I was trying to photograph her for her “official” Adopt A Bird photo she insisted on demonstrating for me the many amazing angles at which an owl can tilt its head.  Not only can she turn her head almost all the way around, but as you can see, she and all owls can turn them in a number of other interesting positions that would send any human directly to the chiropractor. 

  Let's make it a little easier....how about this?

Owls have fourteen vertebrae bones in their necks, which is twice as many as humans. This gives their neck greater flexibility, so they can turn their head around to 270 degrees. They have to do this because, unlike us, they cannot move their eyeballs at all in any direction.  This is a very dry and mundane explanation for something that produces such an “AAAAW!” factor.

  Sheesh!  Can you at least do this one?

Is it any wonder that she’s become the darling of all the staff and visitors?

  OK...I'll give you a really easy one!

Minerva was hatched at the World Bird Sanctuary’s behind the scenes breeding facility.  Her clutch was part of our Barn Owl reintroduction program.  However, as in Minerva’s case, we will occasionally keep one of the owlets to be trained to become an ambassador for their species.  The rest of her nest mates were released into the wild to help repopulate Missouri’s dwindling numbers of wild Barn Owls.

Minerva’s training began as soon as she was ready to leave the nest.  She has been learning about all the different creatures and situations she will encounter during her career as an education bird.  She has already been exposed to things that would be very scary for a wild owl--large groups of people, other animals such as large dogs, umbrellas, strollers, etc.--all things she might encounter at fairs, festivals and schools.  If you can acclimate a very young bird to these situations, they take them in stride as adult birds.  To her credit, Minerva has taken it all in stride.

  OK--the photographer tells me she has to have an "official" portrait, so here it is...she's no fun at all!

When she is old enough she will begin the next phase of her training--learning to fly in education programs.

You can help to further Minerva’s training during the coming year by becoming her Adopt A Bird parent.  To adopt Minerva and receive your Adopt A Bird packet  Click Here to go to the Adopt A Bird page on our website.   Adopt A Bird packets make an ideal gift for that “hard to buy for” person.

Adopt-a-Bird Parents receive:

·      A personal visit with the animal you adopt!!!! Call ahead to schedule a time for your personal visit and to make sure your bird is on-site

·      Certificate of Adoption

·      Color photo of the animal you’ve adopted

·      Sponsorship card

·      One Year’s subscription to Mews News

·      Life History and Natural History of the animal

·      10% Discount off WBS merchandise

Invitation to Sponsors-only events such as Camera Day

·      Discounts on WBS Special Events such as Owl Prowls, Nature Hikes, etc.

·      WBS Decal

Your adoption donation will help to feed, house and further Minerva’s training during the coming year.

Submitted by Gay Schroer, World Bird Sanctuary Volunteer/Photographer

Free Program For You or Your Organization

Donate your Car to WBS before August 31^st, and get a FREE Return to the Wild or Sing-a-long Program!

Did you know that you can help World Bird Sanctuary to achieve our mission by donating your old car?

We'll take your old car off your hands and you'll get a tax-deductible letter acknowledging your donation.  If you donate your car between now and August 31^st, we'll give you a FREE Return to the Wild  OR Sing-a-long Program to thank you for your donation!

All proceeds raised from the cars donated to World Bird Sanctuary go directly towards the care and treatment of wild birds admitted to our wildlife hospital .

Image: Rehab

If you would like to take part in this program, contact Catherine Redfern at credfern@worldbirdsanctuary.org or at 636-225-4390 ext 102.

Amazing Animal Encounters Are Here Again!

Visit World Bird Sanctuary this summer and experience Amazing Animal Encounters!

Ameren Missouri brings you free, family-friendly, fun and educational Amazing Animal Encounters at World Bird Sanctuary, all summer long!

  

Free, fun, family-friendly environmental education programs are presented by our naturalists, using snakes, parrots, birds and mammals to teach you about the amazing creatures that share our planet, and what we can do to help them survive.

Dates: Every Saturday and Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day

Time: Saturdays at 11.30am and 2.00pm; Sundays 1.30pm. 

Admission: Admission and parking is FREE.  No reservations required.

Sponsored by:

It's A Party!

It's a party!  And you're invited!

St. Louis Sprout and About  is a great resource for local St. Louis parents looking for things to do as a family.  Next weekend, July 14, St. Louis Sprout and About is celebrating it's second birthday with a party at Purina Farms, and World Bird Sanctuary will be there.

  

Meet some interesting creatures from WBS at the STL Sprout & About Celebration next weekend.

Date: Saturday, July 14^th, 2012

Time: 10am – 2pm

Place: Purina Farms

There is limited space for this FREE, fun, family-orientated and entertainment-packed party, so RSVP today by clicking here 

We hope to see you there.

Looking For A Budget Friendly Summer Activity?

Include a visit to World Bird Sanctuary in your  summer plans for something educational, entertaining, fun and free!  Get the kids out of the house and into nature and the outdoors. 

 Look for our entrance--on the right--just before Lone Elk Park

World Bird Sanctuary offers outdoor and indoor exhibits that include birds of prey (eagles, owls, vultures, hawks, falcons, etc.), parrots, mammals, reptiles and more.

Check out the interactive displays at our Environmental Education Center.  Visit our 15’ Burmese Python and our 9-banded Armadillo at the Nature Center. Visit Dorothy, our juvenile Andean Condor, on our exhibit line.  Also on the exhibit line, bring some quarters and feed some of the  most unusual chickens you will ever see.  Peek in on some of our patients through the viewing window at our Wildlife Hospital.   

You can see most everything in just a few hours, or pack a picnic lunch and spend the whole day.  WBS is open daily from 8 am – 5 pm, 363 days of the year (except for special/private events and occasional bad weather closures).  There are several picnic tables and a few pavilions available on a first come – first serve basis.

Need to burn off some excess energy?   Take the family on a hike on one of our trails.  For a short hike, try the Hickory Trail or Turtle Bob’s Trail.  If you want a serious workout, take to the Chubb Trail (14 miles round trip).  The Chubb Trail Head is located just 200 yards past the WBS entrance, as well as parking for the trail.

 Be sure to catch one of our free weekend Animal Encounters

Make sure to catch one of our Free Animal Encounters shows (every weekend, Memorial Day through Labor Day).  Animal Encounter times on Saturday are 11:30 am and 2:00 pm, and on Sunday there will be a show at 1:30 pm.  All shows are held in our Amphitheater, located just outside of our Nature Center.  No two shows are alike.

Want to make your visit even more educational?  Purchase a Bird Bundle in our Raptique Gift Shop, located in our Nature Center.  Bird Bundles can be purchased for $5 each and are available in two levels.  Level I is for K – 2^nd grades and Level II is geared for grades 3 on up.  Bird Bundles include activities that can be completed during your visit.

Looking to keep idle minds occupied this summer?  Check out our Resource Nest Boxes.  These boxes are available in four different topics and are filled full of hours of educational entertainment.  They can be rented for a two-week time period for a fee of $25, subject to availability. Topics include: Protect Our Planet, Rocks Rock, Talon Tote and Where We Live.  See our website for more information.

 Join us for our free Birds in Concert performances every Thursday in August

Be sure to check out our online calendar for upcoming events such as Birds In Concert which is a FREE CONCERT held every Thursday in August at 7 pm.  These concerts feature a different guest musician or group each week, as well as our own in-house band, The Raptor Project.

When you are ready to depart World Bird Sanctuary, you might want to visit our neighbors at Lone Elk Park.  This drive-through park features Elk, Bison and Deer.

There’s plenty going on this summer at World Bird Sanctuary to ward off boredom and to answer the age-old question, “What are we doing tomorrow?”  Hope to see you soon!

Submitted by Billie Baumann, World Bird Sanctuary Outreach Coordinator