What is a Buzzard?

When you hear or see the word “buzzard”, what do you think of?  Does a picture of a vulture pop into your mind?  I am going to tell you what buzzard really means in this blog.  Also I will focus on a very special bird and her personal history, species’ natural history, and some wonderful and quirky facts about this specific bird.

Keeoo, World Bird Sanctuary’s dark morph Augur Buzzard (photo: Lisbeth Hodges) 

The special bird I would like to introduce is an Augur Buzzard (Buteo augur) and her name is Keeoo.  She is one of my favorite birds that I work with at the World Bird Sanctuary.  She was hatched in our propagation department at the sanctuary in 1992, so this year she is celebrating her 22nd year at WBS.  She has a great personality.  She is patient with new handlers, curious about her surroundings, and will vocalize when she recognizes people she knows, like me. 

Augur Buzzard in Flight_Uganda (photo: by Tom Tarrant from the Wikipdia files) 

Augur Buzzards are native to central Africa, more specifically south Sudan, eastern Congo, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Somalia.  The type of habitat they thrive in varies from plains to grasslands to forests in Africa.  Like many other Birds of Prey, these beautiful birds are monogamous (one single mate) during breeding season.  Some of these birds will even stay together after the breeding season is over.  They build their stick nests on cliffs or in large strong trees.  The female will lay from one to three eggs per clutch (group of eggs or chicks) and will start to incubate the first egg immediately after it is laid.  Because of this, usually only one chick will survive if all the eggs hatch.  The first chick to hatch will be older and stronger, therefore fight for more food.  The females will stay at the nest with the clutch most of the time, except when she needs to feed herself.  As with all Birds of Prey, they are carnivores (meat eaters).  An Augur Buzzard’s diet consists of eating small mammals, reptiles, other birds, and large insects. 

A light morph Augur Buzzard_Lake Manyara, Tanzania (photo: by D. Gordon E. Robertson from the Wikipedia files) 

Now let’s define what buzzard really means.  Most Americans see a vulture and immediately think buzzard.  In Europe, Asia, and Africa buzzards are what people from the U.S. call hawks.  When European settlers came over to North America, they noticed the vultures and mistook them for the buzzards they would commonly see in Europe. Unfortunately the buzzard name stuck with our American vultures.   Augur Buzzards are the most common “hawks” in Africa just like their closely related relative in the United States.  If you were thinking the Red-tailed Hawk as the closely related relative, then you’re right! 

A view of Keeoo’s tail feathers_note the similarity to a Red-tailed Hawk (photo: Gay Schroer)

View of Keeoo with wings raised_note the similarity to a Red-tailed Hawk (photo: Gay Schroer 

The lifespan for animals in captivity and in the wild can be vastly different.  Wild animals will almost always have a shorter lifespan then captive ones.  Augur Buzzards range from 20-25 years in the wild while captive Augurs have been known to live 35-40 years. 

These beautiful birds also weigh less than you may think.  They only weigh about 2 – 3 ½ lbs (1000g-1500g) with females being larger than the males.  It’s also pretty amazing that these birds can be two different color morphs; a light morph or a dark morph.  Keeoo is a dark morph while one of the others pictured in this blog is a light morph.

Keeoo is available for adoption in our Adopt a Bird program.  To find out more information, call 636-861-3225 or visit the Adopt A Bird section of our website HERE.(LINK)  All adoption donations are tax deductible. 

This season Keeoo can be seen at the Monsanto Environmental Education Center (also known as the visitor’s center) at the World Bird Sanctuary, which is open daily from 8am-5pm.  Keeoo is a very beautiful bird.  You should stop on by and visit her! 

Submitted by Lisbeth Hodges, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist 

Eagle Days Are Here Again!

Join World Bird Sanctuary as they celebrate Bald Eagle season around the region!

At this time of year, the holidays are behind us, the weather has turned cold and nasty, and we’re all looking for something to do besides watch TV and hold down our recliners.

For those of us who live along the Mississippi flyway the colder temperatures herald the arrival of some of the most admired and magnificent creatures of them all.  No—not reindeer.  This is the season for eagle watching!

World Bird Sanctuary staff members and some of the eagles you may meet at our Eagle Days programs

The nearby rivers make for great eagle watching, particularly near Locks and Dams.  Bald Eagles migrate south along the Mississippi River, looking for good fishing in water that hasn’t frozen solid.

If you can bear braving the cold and wind along the river, chances are that you will see wild Bald Eagles in action, hunting their prey, perching in a tree, or soaring up above.  Eagle watching is an annual tradition for many of us, even those of us that are lucky enough to see and work with them every day.

If you want to see a live bald eagle up close and in person, you can visit the World Bird Sanctuary, or catch one of the displays or presentations below:

Alton Visitor’s Center

Alton, IL

January 4, 11, 18, and 25

from 10 am – 2 pm

Eagle Meet & Greet

Meet a live bald eagle and talk to a naturalist to learn about their habits, behaviors, and how they survived almost becoming extinct.

Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days

Lake Ozark, MO

January 4 and 5

Hourly programs from 9-3 Saturday, from 10-2 Sunday

All About Eagles Programs, Traveling Talons Gift Shop

Did you know that Ben Franklin wanted the turkey as our national symbol instead of the Bald Eagle? Get an up close and personal view of a Bald Eagle and learn the reasons it was chosen instead of the turkey.

Audubon Center at Riverlands

West Alton, MO

January 5, 12, 19, 26, February 2, 9

10 am – 2 pm

Eagle Display

Ever meet a live bald eagle before?  Join us for this fascinating program.  Learn about their habits, behaviors, and how they survived almost becoming extinct.

Quad Cities Eagle Days

Rock Island, IL

January 10 - 12

Raptor Awareness programs with Eagle

Features birds of prey including falcons, hawks, owls and vultures. Not only will you see different species of raptors, but you'll also learn a vulture's secret weapon and how to identify a bird of prey in the wild. Sit back and enjoy an up close view as some of the birds soar right over your head!  At the end of the program, meet a live bald eagle!

Prairie Commons Branch Library

Hazelwood, MO

January 15

7:00 pm

All About Eagles Program

Join us for this fascinating look into the lives of Eagles.  Learn about their amazing eyesight.  Get a close-up view of our national symbol.

Missouri Department of Conservation

Chain of Rocks Bridge

January 18 – 19

Programs from 9 am – 3 pm

All About Eagles Programs

Get an up close and personal view of our national symbol, the Bald Eagle, and learn the reasons it was chosen as our national symbol instead of the turkey.   Learn how the Bald Eagle came back from the brink of extinction.  This may be your once-in-a-lifetime chance to get a good look at a Bald Eagle from only a few feet away.

Keokuk Eagle Days

Keokuk, IA

January 18 and 19

Saturday: programs from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Sunday: programs from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Raptor Awareness Program with eagle

Do you know what happens if a vulture is attacked by another predator?  Learn the answer to that question and many more at this program, which also features other birds of prey, including falcons, hawks, owls and vultures.  Learn how to identify a bird of prey in the wild. Sit back and enjoy an up close view as some of the birds soar right over your head!  At the end of the program, meet a live bald eagle!

Clarksville Eagle Days

Clarksville, MO

January 25 and 26

Saturday: programs from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Sunday: programs from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

All About Eagles Program

Where else can you get an up close and personal view of a Bald Eagle and learn the reasons it was chosen for our national symbol instead of the turkey.  Did you know how to tell the approximate age of a young Bald Eagle just by looking at its feathers?  Learn the answer to these questions, and many more, at Clarksville Eagle Days.

Fort Bellefontaine Park

St. Louis, MO

January 25

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Four bird display featuring a bald eagle and other birds of prey.  Naturalists will be on hand to talk about the animals and answer your questions.

National Great Rivers Museum

East Alton, IL

February 15 – 17

Shows at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm each day

Masters of the Sky Programs and Eagle Display

Join us for this fascinating program that features birds of prey including falcons, hawks, owls and vultures. Learn about some of the secret weapons possessed by vultures to evade other predators.  In addition learn how to identify a bird of prey in the wild.  Sit back and enjoy an up close view as some of the birds soar right over your head!  At the end of the program, meet a live bald eagle!

Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower

Hartford, IL

February 15

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Eagle Display

Have you ever seen a Bald Eagle from a few feet away?  Meet a live bald eagle and talk to a naturalist to learn about their habits, behaviors, and how they survived almost becoming extinct.

Submitted by Catherine Redfern, World Bird Sanctuary Development 

A Day At The Hospital - Part 5

The Real Deal!

Now that our intern has been coached, has practiced her technique, and practiced again, it's time to use what she's learned.  

Under the close supervision of her mentor she is ready to move a hawk from one enclosure to another!  

This raptor isn't quite as cooperative as our "stand-in bird", but because of her careful training our young intern is successful!  She's just had an experience that she'll never forget!

The World Bird Sanctuary's internship program is a one of a kind experience for students from around the world.  It provides hands-on experience that integrates with many college curriculums.  

For more information about our internship program go to our website by clicking on the link to our home page on the right hand side of this screen.

A Day At The Hospital - Part 4

Practice, Practice, Practice!!

Now that our intern has received her "classroom instruction", it's time to practice the technique--but not on a real live bird just yet.  

Here you see her practicing the techniques demonstrated by our veteran staff member.  Our intern will practice these moves with our "training bird" until our staff member is certain she fully understands the necessary moves and can do them smoothly without hesitating.  

This is essential for the safety of both bird and human.

Check back for our next installment to see how our intern's training progresses.

A Day At The Hospital - Part 3

The Explanation...

In our last hospital installment you saw our young intern being handed a hawk to hold for medical treatment.  However, being handed an already restrained raptor, and catching one up yourself, are two different things.  Let's take a peek at the training involved in teaching a new intern or volunteer how to catch up and handle a less than willing patient.

Here you see an experienced staff member explaining in detail each step of the process to our intern.  Our staff member goes over each and every move in minute detail, explaining why it is done that way and what reaction she might expect from the bird. 

Once our staff member is certain that the student understands the process, she enlists the aid

 of our long suffering demonstration hawk.  The

details she had previously explained are demonstrated again, using our life size stand-in.

Check back for our next installment to see our young intern's progress.

Hawk Rescue

NOT ALL WBS RESCUE EFFORTS INVOLVE OUR STAFF BEING PHYSICALLY PRESENT!

  

About three weeks ago our Director of Operations, Roger Holloway, received a call from a concerned citizen who had found some hawk babies in a nest that had been blown out of a tree in a violent storm.  After ascertaining that the babies appeared healthy and uninjured Roger advised them what to do.

See the amazing story at the following website: http://leswins.smugmug.com/gallery/8373155_HDVEx/1/549528991_mu93W

A Day At The Hospital - Part 2...

Each year our Wildlife Hospital receives between 250 to 300 patients.  Some, like the little red tailed hawk in our last posting, are fortunate and have no serious injuries.  Others are not so lucky.  Those patients may spend weeks or even months in our care being treated for injuries, and if possible, being rehabilitated for release.  

All of this intensive treatment requires a large investment of our time, money, and man-hours.  The World Bird Sanctuary is fortunate to have a wonderful group of staff, volunteers, and interns who are dedicated to the care of these animals.  However, each and every volunteer and intern who wishes to work directly with the birds must receive a large investment of our staff's time to insure that they are taught the correct procedures for handling the animals in our care.  This is to ensure the safety of the animals and the humans who care for them.  

Following are some photos of such a training session.

One of our veteran staff members demonstrates the technique for removing a defensive hawk from it's enclosure while one of our new interns watches 

closely.

Once our intern has been coached in the techniques of safely restraining a protesting bird of prey, our staff member administers an antibiotic.

Mission Accomplished!!  Our intern has learned a valuable lesson in bird handling, and our patient has been given the medication needed to hasten his recovery.

And then, of course, there's the ever present paperwork!

Feeding The Birds

When you feed the birds, you feed ALL the birds!

I was startled the other day by a loud THUMP! against the wall of my house.  I immediately recognized it as the sound of a bird hitting (I thought) the kitchen window.  Some of the new crop of woodpecker babies are having trouble figuring out how to land on the nut feeder, and frequently thump into the window, although not hard enough to do any damage.  But this thump was LOUD!  

When I looked outside I saw this Cooper's Hawk feeding on a dove that he had apparently caught when it took off from our patio.  It must have been close enough that predator and prey hit the wall of the house.  Of course, I ran for the camera, and proceeded to photograph the hawk plucking the dove through my kitchen window.  I won't tell you how many photos I took.  Let's just say "Thank God for digital".  

I know there are some who would be distressed by this situation.  However, the hawk needs to eat just as does the dove, and this is Mother Nature's way of keeping the species strong.  

Adopt A Bird - Trucker

Trucker's Story

Species:  Swainson's Hawk

Hatched:  Spring 2004

We estimate that Trucker is a probable male due to his size.  Usually the males are smaller than the females.  (It is often difficult to tell the sex of a raptor without doing an invasive procedure to be certain.)

The World Bird Sanctuary acquired Trucker from a rescue organization in Nebraska, where he had received extensive medical treatment.  Upon arrival at our Nature Center he was released into one of our large mews for observation, where it soon became obvious that he had become too accustomed to humans to be released into the wild.

It was decided that he would make an excellent education bird, so he was fostered by staff members for the next three months to accustom him to situations he would encounter during the programs presented by our Office of Wildlife Learning (O.W.L.)  Since April of 2005 Trucker has become a valued member of our Education Department, traveling to venues throughout the country with our Education Department staff.

Like all creatures, Trucker has his own individual little traits.  He has a rubber turtle friend that he loves to toss around and beat up, loves to fling food and make a mess, and does not like the color red.  

To adopt Trucker, simply click our DONATION button, make a donation of $100, and specify in your payment notes:  Adopt-a-Bird:  TRUCKER.  Also be sure to 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 bird of your choice!  Adopt-A-Bird parents receive:

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

° Certificate of Adoption

° Color photo of the bird you've adopted

° Sponsorship Card

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

° Life History and Natural History of the bird

° 10% discount off WBS merchandise

° Invitations to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day

° Discounts on WBS Special Events

° WBS Decal

Natural History

swainson’s hawk

Buteo swainsonii

 Description:      Slender raptor, slightly smaller in size than a Red-tailed Hawk, with a slightly longer wingspan and slimmer wings than other soaring hawks; common color pattern is dark brown plumage with a brown chest and pale belly; in flight, holds wings in a shallow “V” and teeters in flight like a Turkey Vulture; in-flight diagnostics are pointed wings and two toned effect of pale wing linings and dark flight feathers; adults have a pale body with dark “bib” on chest and noticeable white throat patch; there are two color variations—a light morph and a dark morph

Sex:                 Sexually mature at 2 years; monogamous

Age:                high mortality from traffic collisions, shooting, electrocution

Length:            17-22”

Wingspan:       4-4.5’

Weight:            1.5-2.5 lbs

Habitat:            open grasslands, prairies, farmlands and deserts that have some trees for nesting

Status:             fairly common

Range:             summers and breeds in the plains of western North America, as far north as Alaska and as far south as Mexico; winter range is the pampas of Argentina, with a few wintering in Florida

Behavior:         nests are built of sticks and lined with greenery, usually placed low in a tree, bush or shrub; female lays 2-3 eggs, incubated 34-35 days; young fledge at about 6 weeks; known to congregate in large flocks during winter migration; will follow tractors or stay close to prairie fires in search of disturbed prey

Diet:                mainly large insects such as dragonflies, but will take rodents, reptiles, amphibians, bats and young or disabled birds during breeding season

Vocalization:   mostly silent; gives a shrill “kearrr” similar to a Red-tailed Hawk when alarmed or disturbed, or during an aggression display

 

 

Trucker's New Wardrobe!

Meet Trucker, our beautiful Swainson's Hawk!

When Trucker first arrived at the World Bird Sanctuary in 2004 he was sporting his juvenile plumage.  To be sure, it was quite beautiful, and like any teenager he would often strut his stuff by displaying his full wingspan.  However, these feathers would not be his permanent coloration.  

While waiting for his adult plumage to grow in, he traveled with the staff of our Office of Wildlife Learning to school programs, where he wowed the audiences with the beauty of his juvenile plumage.  

Even though his first feathers were quite handsome, his new adult plumage is something to behold!  When you visit the World Bird Sanctuary look for the bird with the gorgeous mahogany brown feathers.  If you're lucky, he may spread his wings and display for you.

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.