The Moody Eagle

When people ask, "What is your favorite bird at the World Bird Sanctuary," my answer has always been the Bateleur Eagle. I've had the immense pleasure to work with both Tsavo and Shadow, WBS’s Bateleurs, and I can't help but smile each time I get to handle one or the other.

Bateleur sunning at Veszprém Zoo, Hungary – Notice the beautiful wing pattern and short tail (photo: Wikipedia)

A little background on the species.

Their scientific name, terathopius ecaudatus, says a lot about them.  The name originates from the Latin words teratos ("marvel"), opos ("appearance"), and ecaudatus ("to lack a tail").

Bateleur is the French word for "street performer". The bateleur eagle got this name for its distinctive flying style, because they rock side to side (as if to regain balance like a tight-rope walker) while gliding at low-altitudes in search of prey. They also do amazing aerial acrobatics for courtship and mating displays, which is only possible because of their short tail (3-4 inches long) and long, narrow wings (5.5-6 feet). They only gain their distinct adult plumage after 6-8 years.  The juvenile eagles begin life with longer wing and tail feathers (makes it easier to learn to fly), but after each molt the feathers grow back in just a little shorter than before.

Tsavo – One of the World Bird Sanctuary’s stunningly beautiful Bateleur Eagles. (photo: Gay Schroer)

Now for why we've nicknamed them the moody eagles of the sanctuary.  The first thing you will see (and hear) is their territorial display when you get "too close" to their perch(s).  All the following antics would be performed in the wild if a rival Bateleur came into their territory.  They start off with a soft "kau kau kau", and when that doesn't scare you away they raise their half spread wings and scream a loud "koaagh koaagh". Most of the time this is just how they greet you when you enter their territory, but their face will tell you if it is okay for you to handle them or not.  Their face is typically a pale red to orange when calm and relaxed, but can turn bright red when really excited. If their face turns yellow, get away as soon as possible, because that is when they're really angry about something and need space to calm down.

Shadow - One of this bird’s most striking features is its beautiful facial coloration (photo: Gay Schroer)

Bateleur eagles are indigenous to Africa (sub-Saharan open woodlands and grasslands) in which they are on the near-threatened list due to loss of habitat, poisoning, and illegal captures. There are no ongoing conservation efforts known because they are a common sight in conservation areas, even though they are scarce elsewhere. I believe we need to start keeping a closer eye on this amazing species before they become just a memory for those lucky enough to have seen/worked with one.

Be sure to look for this stunning eagle when you visit one of our zoo shows or come to one of our special events. This summer Tsavo will be entertaining the crowds at the Milwaukee County Zoo, and Tsavo will be wowing the crowds at Grant’s Farm in St. Louis.  There is no mistaking this unusual looking raptor.  As with all of our resident animals, Shadow and Tsavo are available for adoption through our Adopt A Bird program.

Submitted by William Oberbeck III, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist/Trainer

365 Photo Project-October 2014

October at the World Bird Sanctuary has been a very busy month.  With special events and a busy travel schedule I have not had that many photo opportunities. 

I did however take one morning in between storms to take a leisurely walk on WBS property.  As staff, sometimes we get so focused on the area where we work (such as the Nature Center) that we do not stop and look at the other amazing birds we work with on a daily basis, at least from a photographer’s perspective.  I have to admit it is a very challenging process to pick just a few photos to feature here.

Sole, the Peregrine Falcon (photo: Cathy Spahn)

My first favorite photo is of one of the newest birds on our education team; Solo, the Peregrine Falcon.  Solo is a juvenile Peregrine Falcon whose egg was laid in a nest in Clayton, Missouri.  Before the eggs were hatched the female falcon suffered a severe wing injury and did not survive.  WBS rescued the three eggs and hatched all three in our incubators.  One baby did not survive; one was placed in the nest of another wild falcon pair and was fostered by them.   Unfortunately, Solo was hatched with a few deformities that do not allow him to use his feet properly and his beak is slightly askew; therefore, he has difficulties tearing food.  Because he could not be released he will spend his life as an education bird.  He is a great bird and can teach everyone so much.  On this particular morning when Solo was put outside in the Weathering Area at the Nature Center, he started flapping his wings, and I took the opportunity to get some photos.  I managed to take this photo of him with his wings out.  This photo was my favorite from my morning walk.

Rochester, the Common Buzzard (photo: Cathy Spahn)

The next photo I took a few minutes after photographing Solo is a beautiful photo of Rochester.  Rochester is a Common Buzzard that is in training to join our education team.  Rochester is a sibling to Rodrigo a Common Buzzard that’s in training for the programs WBS presents at Zoos, theme parks and aquariums around the nation.  WBS recently also acquired Rochester’s and Rodrigo’s parents. Their parents are interestingly colored; one light colored bird and one dark, almost charcoal bird.  Rodrigo looks like one of the parents, while Rochester is a very rufous colored bird.  His beautiful color just gets more striking to me by the day.  We are currently training him to fly and he is really becoming an amazing performer.

Tsavo, the Bateleur Eagle (photo: Cathy Spahn)

The last photo I want to include is of Tsavo, the Bateluer Eagle.  The Bateluer Eagle is considered to be one of the most colorful eagles in the world.  This head shot shows off just some of that coloration.  It also captures his personality perfectly.

I find that at times, since I see these birds every day, I sometimes take them for granted.  This kind of walk gives me a chance to step back and appreciate the beauty of the animals that I work with every day.

Submitted by Cathy Spahn, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Shadow vs. Tsavo: An Insider’s Perspective on “Personalities”

I doubt that most people give much thought to whether or not birds of prey exhibit any kind of individual character or personality. 

Without question, many of the birds of prey I have worked with in captivity do seem to exhibit both individual personalities and behaviors, likes and dislikes.  Certain behaviors seem to vary not only with each individual bird, but can be different according to the individual human that is handling or even walking past a specific bird.  

Max, the Tawny Eagle--affectionately known as our "watchbird"

If you have been around the Environmental Education Center when Maximus, the Tawny Eagle is outside, you can hear her “bark” anytime she sees someone she knows.  Some people have watchdogs, but we have a watchbird.

Turk, the Turkey Vulture has definite opinions about certain humans 

Another example is Turk the Turkey Vulture.  She seems to exhibit a strong dislike for me, and I have no idea as to why.  She also has a definite distaste for some of our staff members that have had to catch her up for routine medical check-ups and maintenance.  That I can certainly understand, and we have several birds that give these particular persons the “stink eye” anytime they see them.  Unfortunately it is a part of the job that comes with the territory.  We know not to take it personally.

There are a few female Harris’ Hawks that don’t seem to care for me, yet they hold other staff in high regard.  However, it goes both ways--there are certain birds that seem to be friendlier to me and don’t particularly care for certain other staff.

Who can say what goes on in the thinking process of a bird, and why they choose to like or dislike certain people.  I am just pointing out that it happens, and I find it both interesting and entertaining.

I have worked in particular with two birds of the same species, but at opposite ends of the spectrum as far as personality goes.  I am referring to Tsavo and Shadow, our Bateleur Eagles. 

Tsavo has become one of my favorites

Tsavo has become one of my favorite birds to work with at the Environmental Education Center.  He exhibits a sweet and laid back demeanor and seems quite comfortable with me.  He has never shown any kind of aggressive tendencies toward me, and will make cute little barking noises when I am near.  This is a very different sound than a Bateleur’s aggressive barking noise, which I will mention again later.  Oddly, Tsavo is not as happy-go-lucky with all of his handlers, and on occasion has become slightly aggressive toward some.  Thankfully, I seem to be accepted into his flock, so it isn’t a problem for me.  I will miss him greatly this summer when he makes his way to star in a WBS educational bird show at a zoo.

 Shadow, expressing his opinion of me

At the opposite end of the spectrum is Shadow.  I worked with Shadow at Grant’s Farm over the summer.  It was challenging, to say the least.  Shadow seems to have taken a serious dislike toward me and makes no bones about demonstrating how he feels.  If I am within eyeshot, he begins lifting his head and wings and posturing.  He starts calling out in angry tones, barking wildly, and even banging his beak on the ground (never hard enough to hurt himself).  It is quite a display.  If I were a bird, I would definitely head in the other direction.  However, I have to work with this bird, snotty attitude or not.  It is something one gets accustomed to, and we learn appropriate measures and methods of how to deal with this type of behavior.  On the other hand, Shadow seemed to become quite enamored with Lisbeth, who also worked with him at Grant’s Farm.  It was amazing to see how differently he reacted to each of us.

So who knows what it is about someone that a bird of prey seems to either love or deplore.  And who knows if they really do have their own personality.  I just find it to be a fascinating aspect about the feathered friends that I so admire and am privileged enough to work with.

Submitted by Billie Baumann, World Bird Sanctuary Outreach Coordinator

The Rookie Files: Tsavo

Greetings from Milwaukee all you loyal readers! A new season of educational bird shows produced by WBS Trainers has opened at the Milwaukee County Zoo, which means a lot of new things. Including new people, new behaviors, a new location, a new script to learn and of course a new batch of rookies including Tsavo.

Tsavo perched in a tree

Tsavo is a nine year old, male Bateleur Eagle. He made his show debut for the World Bird Sanctuary as a bird that just sat on the glove in the Grant’s Farm show last year. This year we are a little more ambitious and he’s flying from glove to glove. Before we could fly him though, he had to pass a series of tests. First we attached him to a creance line ( a long spool of heavy string tied to his jesses).  This allowed him the freedom of flight, but should he make an unexpected detour we would be able to stop him. Next in the series was placing him in various trees ( which we found out he’s scared of) and on rooftops ( also not a fan) and calling him back into the theater. Finally we had him do some very long flights in an area where he couldn’t see the theater and had to come straight to our glove. I’m happy to say that he passed all of his tests with flying colors!

Telemetry equipment needed to monitor some of our free flying birds

 Now, I’m sure you’re wondering “what’s with all the tests and trials?”. The simple answer is that Tsavo is a bateleur eagle, which in the wild will travel anywhere from 300-500 miles in a day in search of food. Since Tsavo is meant to travel such long distances we want to make sure he has a good recall to his home base, the theater. As an added precaution we also attach a transmitter to his leg before the show starts. That way if he gets frightened by something, or blown off course by a freak gust of wind, we can easily find him.

Close-up of Tsavo showing his unique facial area

He’s also a very unique looking bird, with a bright red face and feet. Bateleur eagles can actually change the color of these two areas depending on their mood. The blood vessels are very close to the surface and they can control blood flow to these vessels. A bateleur’s face can be anywhere from an orange-yellow when they are calm and relaxed to a brilliant red when excited ( like say during breeding season). These red feet are also unique because they have shorter toes and thicker scales on the tops of their feet than other birds of prey. These adaptations help to protect them from the bites of venomous snakes, their favorite tasty treat in the wild.

In the wild those red scaly feet would protect him from the bites of his favorite prey

Tsavo does some beautiful flights in the show, flying to the speaker and then right over audience members. His species is capable of some truly gorgeous spins, tumbles, and barrel rolls during courtship, due in part to their short tail (only about 3 inches long) and their very long wings. In fact Bateleur actually means acrobat or tumbler in French. Tsavo may not perform any courtship flights in the show, but we still encourage you to come out to Milwaukee to see him. His excited bawking noises before he takes off are worth the trip. Besides, where else other than Africa is a Bateleur Eagle going to fly over your head?

Submitted by Leah Tyndall, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist