Caring for Birds of Prey in Captivity

At the World Bird Sanctuary, you will find over 200 animals, most of which are birds of prey.  From eagles to hawks to owls, WBS is home to numerous different species of raptors.  Keeping birds in captivity poses a few challenges that WBS staff and volunteers must work through every day.

Every single one of World Bird Sanctuary’s raptors gets fed a natural meat diet each day.  Bald eagles may get fish, and Great Horned Owls may get rats for example.  This food needs to be prepared on a daily basis for our 200+ animals.

Some birds get a little extra care.  For instance, older birds coping with arthritis get an arthritis supplement on their food.  Some birds get extra calcium sprinkled on their meals for added benefit.  Rehab patients may require daily medications in their food.  By feeding frozen/thawed food, our birds (especially those with disabilities) do not have any risk of injury during feeding as they might in the wild.  They simply get their meals served up to them on a silver platter.

The raptors at WBS are fed a natural diet each day-Duncan the Wedge-tailed Eagle enjoys his lunch (photo: Paige Davis)

In the wild, birds of prey are constantly scraping their talons on trees, rocks, and prey.  In captivity, sometimes the birds need a trim to help keep their talons from overgrowing.  Just as our fingernails continuously grow, so do raptors’ talons.  The staff at WBS must monitor each bird and make sure their talons are well kept.  It is like giving a manicure, but to much sharper and more deadly “fingernails.”

Birds of prey have talons that grow continuously like our fingernails; they must be trimmed on a regular basis (photo: Paige Davis)

Just as the talons continuously grow, so do birds’ beaks!  Birds’ beaks also need a trim (known in falconry as “coping”) once in a while if they do not keep it worn down themselves.  This can be an artistic task; shaping a bird’s beak requires a good eye and a steady hand.  Luckily World Bird Sanctuary has a great team of people for such a task.

Pictured is a before and after of Ivory after a beak coping (photo: Paige Davis)

In addition to all of these tasks, WBS staff and volunteers must also clean up after each animal and maintain their exhibits.  Birds do not have a bladder to hold waste, which makes them lighter.  It also makes for a lot of poop!  And let me tell you, raptor poop is like cement when it dries.  Caretakers often use a scraper to remove the waste before deep cleaning.  It can be a very dirty job full of bird poop, but it makes for some happy, healthy feathered friends once the work is done.

Submitted by Paige Davis, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Bogart Courts Trina

Bogart the Eurasian Eagle Owl was hatched and raised at the World Bird Sanctuary.

Bogart the Eurasian Eagle Owl (photo: Gay Schroer)

Watch our YouTube video  as he displays his hunting prowess for Naturalist Trina Whitener by showing her his “prize” – a rat that he was given for his meal.  In the wild this is how he would court a female Eagle Owl.

As with all of our resident animals, Bogart is available for adoption in our Adopt A Bird Program.  To find out more about this program Click Here. 

Submitted by Gay Schroer, World Bird Sanctuary Volunteer/Photographer

Video by Trina Whitener, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Spring is here!

 Spring is in the air, and with the coming of spring there is an eruption of baby birds in the wild. 

At the World Bird Sanctuary, our animal hospital receives about 400 patients a year.  These are mostly birds of prey such as eagles, owls, and hawks.  Sometimes we receive baby birds that are “rescued” that do not actually need our help, and this blog post will help you know when to help, and when to leave a baby bird alone.

There are a few questions to ask yourself when deciding whether or not to help a wild bird.  They are:

 

Is the bird injured? 
If you find any bird that is visibly injured or sick, this is a bird that needs help.  The presence of blood or flies around the animal is almost always a sign of injury.  You can help by contacting your local wildlife rehabilitator.

 This barred owl chick suffered from head trauma and was brought to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Is the bird feathered?
If you find a baby bird that is naked (without feathers) or covered in fuzzy down feathers, this is a baby that should still be in the nest.  If you do not see any injuries, often you can place the chick back into its nest.  If you do not see the original nest, you can make a homemade nest yourself out of a basket or a container with holes in the bottom.  Makeshift nests should be lined with paper towels—not dry grass, pine needles, or other vegetation (these can hold moisture and cause the babies to become chilled).  You can then hang the nest in a nearby tree out of harm’s way, and place the chick inside.  Watch for the parents to come back and care for the chick. Most birds will look for a missing baby bird for at least 4 days.  If they do not visit the baby within a couple of hours, call a wildlife rehabilitator.

These robins have no feathers on their body, and they are not ready to be out of the nest.  They need to eat every half hour to keep growing strong.

If you find a baby bird that has its wing and tail feathers, this is a fledgling bird.  Baby birds will often leave the nest before they can fully fly.  The parents will care for these babies on the ground until they get the hang of flying.  Fledglings are vulnerable, and can be found hopping on the ground for days before they fly off.  If the chick is in danger from dogs, cats, or people, move the bird to a nearby bush for cover.  If possible, it is best to leave them where they are.  A baby’s best chance of survival is with its parents.

Pictured is a fledgling bird.  Even though it is a baby, notice the bird has feathers on its wings and tail.

Should I care for this baby bird myself?
No.  Caring for sick, injured, and abandoned wildlife requires extensive knowledge and skills.  It can also expose you to harmful bacteria and diseases.  The bird in need will have the best chance of survival in the care of a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.  Wildlife rehabilitators have all of the tools, medicine, and training necessary to give their patients the highest chance of survival.  Not only that, but it is illegal to possess wildlife without the correct permits.  By getting your bird to a wildlife rehabber as quickly as possible, it will have the greatest chance to be released back into the wild.

To find a local wildlife rehabber in your area, you can search the directory of rehabilitation centers by state at: http://wildliferehabber.org/

Submitted by Paige Davis, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Poet’s Corner: Sunshine

World Bird Sanctuary friend and poet Marge Biermann writes about Sunshine, the Short-eared Owl.  We named this bird Sunshine because Short-eared Owls are one of the few diurnal owls.

Sunshine

Need a little Sunshine to light up your day?

You could come and visit him….that’s one way.

This little one of just ounces under a pound,

Comes from Nebraska where he was found.

Hurt in a farm accident with a hay baling thing,

Now can’t ever again use his little right wing.

He will spend his days on the WBS display line,

Where visitors can meet this little ray of “Sunshine”.

Enjoy his beauty and his fierce determined stare

Oh, yes, we do have one secret about him to share.

Since an owl’s gender can be a bit vague,

We’ll just have to let you know if “he” lays an egg!

As with all of our animal residents, Sunshine is available for adoption in our Adopt A Bird program.  Click here if you would like to adopt Sunshine.

Submitted by Marge Biermann, World Bird Sanctuary Guest Author

A Brief History of Homing Pigeons

Rock Pigeons, or Rock Doves, are found all over downtown St. Louis and in most cities around the United States.

Pigeons perched (photo: the wikipedia files)

They are commonly considered a nuisance and even a potential health hazard in urban settings, but some of these birds have a distinguished history. Pigeons have been domesticated for thousands of years, and during this time have been used for multiple purposes, such as carrying messages.

Pigeons that were used to carry messages all had a common ability – the ability to find their way back to the same location even over long distances. Wild pigeons have this innate ability to a degree, but the pigeons we refer to as homing pigeons have been selectively bred for this trait.

Three thousand years ago, homing pigeons were carrying communications from one location to another. Of course, homing pigeons can only find their way back to one “home,” so pigeons were a one-way line of communication.

Pigeon in flight (photo: the wikipedia files)

 Homing pigeons were especially useful in times of war. During World War I and World War II pigeons were used to carry messages from the front lines. Pigeons were more difficult to intercept than radio transmissions. Even in the 21^st century, homing pigeons have been used to carry messages by certain police departments in India; however, in 2002 the pigeon messenger system used by these departments was discontinued.

 

WBS Homing Pigeons have often been released at weddings (photo: Gay Schroer)

Although homing pigeons are not often used to carry messages anymore, they can still be used for a number of fun occasions. At World Bird Sanctuary we have our own small flock of homing pigeons. Available for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and other special events, our homing pigeon releases are a beautiful addition to any occasion.

For more information or to book a Homing Pigeon release at your event call the World Bird Sanctuary at 636-225-4390.

Submitted by JoHanna Burton, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Whooo is THAT bird over there?

Visitors to the nature center at the World Bird Sanctuary often notice an unusual-looking owl in the weathering area.  The Naturalists at the nature  center often hear the question – “What is THAT bird over there?” – as the visitor points in amazement at our Mia, the Spectacled Owl.

Closeup of Mia (photo: Dawn Griffard)

Mia often gets much attention for her exotic markings.  She is a beautiful caramel and black color with a swooping beige “uni-brow” and has a seemingly extremely prideful gaze.

Mia is a beautiful representation of her species, which is indigenous to Mexico, Central America and the northern part of South America.

Mia's beautiful color and markings often draw "oohs" and "aahs" from visitors (photo: Dawn Griffard)

Spectacled Owls prefer dense tropical rainforests but can also be found in dry forests, treed savannah habitats and open areas with scattered trees. Like most raptors, Spectacled Owls are generally not social birds.  This owl is nocturnal. Because of deforestation of rainforests, the Spectacled Owl may be in trouble in the near future.

Spectacled Owls are not particular when it comes to their diet. They will eat just about anything that ventures into the area they are patrolling. To catch their prey, they will simply drop from the tree branch on which they are perched with a swooping pounce. These owls will dine on anything from caterpillars and beetles to frogs, mice, smaller birds, opossums and skunks.

Nesting season is generally from January to August. They are cavity nesters, as are many other species of owls.  The incubation of their eggs lasts about 36 days.

Fledglings are ready to fly at about six to eight weeks. These little ones will not acquire their full adult plumage for up to five years. When hatched, they are beige/white with black, heart-shaped faces.

Our Mia was hatched at the North Carolina Zoo and was hand-raised so that she would be easy to work with in our educational programs. In 1994, she became a part of the World Bird Sanctuary’s spring/summer program at Grant’s Farm in St. Louis and since then went to Tampa, Florida to be in the sanctuary’s show at Busch Gardens.  More recently she has also made appearances at the winter Owl Prowls here at WBS and has starred in many educational programs.  She has free flown in WBS’s bird show at Stone Zoo in Boston.

Mia sunning in the weathering area (photo Dawn Griffard)

Now retired from free flying in shows, Mia still engages crowds by appearing in our programs as a glove-handled bird. She enjoys playing with sticks and leaves in the weathering area and can be a great conversationalist as she chatters with her “pup-pup-pup-pup-pup” and warbling hoot. Mia is now 22 years old, and according to those who have known her for a good part of her life, she only gets sweeter with age.

Mia is available for adoption through our Adopt-A-Bird program! For a mere $100.00, you can become Mia’s “adoptive family”, helping to care for her for an entire year.  You will also receive the following:

• Certificate of Adoption with a full color photograph
• World Bird Sanctuary sponsorship for one year
• One year’s subscription to our newsletter – the Mews News – printed three times per year
• Natural history and life history of your special adopted animal
• Plush bird toy
• Reusable WBS shopping bag
• 10% discount on all World Bird Sanctuary merchandise in our gift shop
• 10% discount on all public programs offered at World Bird Sanctuary, such as Owl Prowls, Nature Hikes, etc.
• Visiting privileges and photo opportunities with the special new member of your family (just call ahead first to make sure she will be here).

We hope that you will consider adopting our Mia and become a part of the World Bird Sanctuary family!

 

Submitted by Dawn Griffard, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Bill Size and Shape

One of my favorite things to do, during migration season is to identify birds.  Many aspects of bird watching combine to make this the world’s number one hobby; the hunt through the binoculars for that wind-blown leaf you thought was a bird;  the sudden realization that you’re facing the wrong direction in a valley; following a song for an entire afternoon just to get a glimpse of that fellow who sings his heart out. 

When I do finally see that special bird, I have to take quick mental notes on size, color, foot type (if I see a bird feeding), bill type, and behaviors.  Although behavior is a really big part of identification, I enjoy using bill type as a guide for those really tough ones.  This is especially true when you consider that many species depend mostly on a specific food for survival.  Whether it feeds on seeds, insects, nectar, or other animals, its bill will be specially adapted for feeding.

Members of the parrot family have beaks that are designed for gripping and cracking seeds and nuts.  (photo: Leigh French)

Seedeaters need to have a bill that is strong enough to crack through the thick hard hulls to get to the meaty fruit inside.  Their bills are often thick and arrow shaped having hard ridges to aide in grip, like a wrench.  Parrots are a great example of this.  Their bills are very thick and their upper mandible has serrations on its underside, out near the tip, so that they can grip nuts and crack them.  Also, cardinals have a thick, strong bill for smaller seeds.

Shorebirds are a wonderful example of diversity within a habitat.  Gulls and terns have bills adapted for fishing.  They dive into the water from the air or from floating on the water. 

Roseate Spoonbills have a bill shaped for shoveling around in the lake bottom debris for their food. (photo: Gay Schroer)

Some Ducks and wading birds have a specialized bill for shoveling around in the water for invertebrates. 

This Scarlet Ibis has a very specialized beak for probing for food in soft mud and under plants (photo: Gay Schroer)

Birds like the sandpipers, oystercatchers, godwits, turnstones, and plovers have bills that are shaped for finding invertebrates that have tunneled into the sand or mud.  Their bill is sort of shaped like the prey for which they forage. 

Herons and egrets use their bill as a spear.

This Great Blue Heron uses his bill as a spear and then swallows the fish whole (photo: Gay Schroer

…whereas this Yellow-crowned Night Heron snatches his preferred diet of crayfish with his long pointed bill

…and then turns it, pinchers side out, and crushes it with the powerful upper portion of his bill before swallowing it

Moving away from the shore, there are other smaller birds that flit about after tiny gnats and flies.  These birds have small bills and are a bit more difficult to identify because they are usually small and fast.  These are typically gnatcatchers and flycatchers. 

Prothonotary Warblers have small thin bills for catching insects and snails which they pry out of their hiding places

Ruby-crowned Kinglets are such tiny little birds and they are the most difficult for me to see clearly.  That’s when I listen to any calls or songs they may be making.  Woodpeckers have a bill that is like a chisel.  They bang away at trees looking for insects crawling under the bark and inside the wood.

Finally, I think crows and ravens are a good transition into birds of prey.  They are very adept and intelligent.  They hammer and poke and tear and pull their food.

Meat eaters are probably more diverse because they may feed on certain animals based on their habitat.  Owls, hawks, and eagles have bills that are great for tearing meat.

The Eurasian Eagle Owl has a beak that is supremely well adapted for tearing meat (photo: Gay Schroer)

So, when you are having trouble narrowing down that bird species, perhaps you can get a good look at the bill to figure out a bit about it.

The next time you visit the World Bird Sanctuary, pay particular attention to the different beak shapes that you will see on our display birds and the birds that visit our bird feeders.  Try to guess what each bird’s preferred food would be.

Submitted by W. Leigh French, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Homing Pigeons Are Dedicated Parents

Homing Pigeons can lay eggs any month of the year.  January and February can seem quite cold, but we here at the World Bird Sanctuary have had our Homing Pigeons laying eggs even in the traditionally coldest months in Missouri.

One of the birds from our Homing Pigeon flock (photo: Mike Zieloski)

We have even had one hatch in January.  Can you imagine the dedication the parent birds must have to hatch an egg when some nights are below freezing?  And I did mention birds (plural), because both the male and the female incubate the eggs.   My Pigeon mentor, Charlie Klipsch, told me that both parents take turns at incubating and brooding (keeping the chicks warm).

I’ve also noticed that at certain times almost all the hens (females) were taking their turns at incubating at almost the same time.  And other times when you go into the pigeon Loft, all the cocks (males) would be on the eggs.

The eggs aren't much bigger than a quarter (photo: Mike Zieloski)

The eggs take 17 days to hatch.  The females lay 2 white eggs, slightly bigger than a quarter.  The babies grow so fast that they seem to double in size each of the first 5 days.  Once the babies are 27 days old, they look like the parents, with fully feathered bodies.

Our Homing Pigeons are available to come to your event.  The last event the birds participated in was a person’s Surprise 50^th Birthday Party.  Everyone enjoyed learning about Homing Pigeons and watching the birds take off into the sky.

You may call 636-225-4390 x101 if you would like to schedule the birds for your next event.

Story by Michael Zeloski, Director of Education, World Bird Sanctuary.

The American White Ibis

For as long as I can remember, one of my favorite birds has been the American White Ibis (Eudocimis albus).  I wouldn't be able to explain why I like them so much--I just know that I do.

The American White Ibis is mostly white with black primaries visible during flight (photo: the Wikipedia files)

As you have probably guessed, the American White Ibis is white--well, mostly.  It does have black primary feathers on its wings.  Its long legs and webbed toes (but not quite as webbed as a duck) are pale orange.  The same is true for its face.  During the breeding season (usually June and July), though this pale orange turns into a striking bright pink. 

American White Ibis’ have a very long bill like an egret, heron, or stork, but unlike those birds the White Ibis' bill is curved and very sensitive to movement.  This is important because of how they find their food.  They use their bill to grab small fish, amphibians, insects, and mostly small crustaceans.  They can get food directly out of shallow water or even in shallow sand or mud.  If there is vegetation in the water the Ibis will slowly walk through and stomp on the vegetation to get its prey to come out. 

The American White Ibis gather in huge colonies during the breeding season.  They do not mate for life, but every year, after a pair bonds, the male will bring sticks and vegetation to the female in a tree and then she will construct the nest.  They usually have 4 eggs, but sometimes less.  After the chicks hatch they usually leave the nest within just 2 weeks. 

The American White Ibis has been known to interbreed with the Scarlet Ibis in areas where their territories overlap (photo: Gay Schroer)

You can find these pristine looking birds in and around the Caribbean along the coasts of southern North America and South America and many islands along these coasts.  They are very abundant in the wild and are very often seen in Florida.  Their breeding range runs along the Gulf and Atlantic coast of North America, and along the coasts of Mexico and Central America.  Populations in northern Venezuela overlap with the range of the Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber), and in some instances they have been known to interbreed with these vibrantly colored birds.  There is some speculation in the professional community that these two birds should be classified as a single species.

There are currently no conservation efforts in place to help these birds because they are doing so well on their own in the wild.  They are classified as a species of "least concern" by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).  However, the plans to restore the Florida Everglades should benefit these wonderful creatures immensely.

Submitted by Mike Cerutti, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist/Trainer

Ooh! Baby, Baby

Here at the World Bird Sanctuary Wildlife Hospital we receive many calls regarding young birds that seem to have fallen from the nest.

A baby Great Horned Owl (photo: Sherry Seavers) 

If you find a baby bird the best thing to do is leave it alone.  The parents will find it and continue to take care of the baby, wherever it is.  If the bird is in immediate danger of being attacked by a cat or dog, whenever possible, remove the cat or dog from the area until the bird is able to fly (1-2 weeks).  Put the bird in a nearby bush, shrub or on a tree limb out of harm’s way. 

Most birds have a poor sense of smell and the parents will not abandon a baby bird touched by humans.  If you happen to find a baby with little or no feathers and you know where the nest is, go ahead and return the youngster to its nest.

If the nest is destroyed, cannot be found, or cannot be reached safely, make a substitute nest using a small basket or margarine tub. Punch holes in the bottom and line the container with paper towel – not with grass, as moisture in the grass can cause birds to become too cold. Secure the new “nest” with duct tape in a branch fork near the old nest.

If you are certain the bird is an orphan, prepare to transport the bird to a rehabilitation facility.  Carefully place the baby bird in a small open container lined with paper towels and place both in a cardboard box.  Do not attempt to feed or give water to an orphaned bird.  A bird’s diet is very particular and they have a feeding schedule that must be followed if they are to survive.

If you are tempted to keep the baby bird---don’t!  Migratory birds, including songbirds, are protected under federal law.  Possession of a bird, its nest or its eggs without a permit is illegal.

Submitted by Joe Hoffman, World Bird Sanctuary Rehabilitation Hospital Manager

Grant's Farm Bird Show 2015

Last year I had the pleasure of working with the World Bird Sanctuary's Animal Encounters team at Grant’s Farm.  The crew there was a real joy to be with on a daily basis.  They really know how to enjoy a job.  That is why I am excited to once again join them on stage and offstage this year. 

However, there will be a few changes this year.  One of the biggest and most exciting changes is working with fellow WBS staff members JoHanna Burton and Paige Davis.

McGwire the Bald Eagle will be one of two birds in the posing area to have his photo taken with guests (photo: Gay Schroer)

Throughout the season we will be taking turns in the posing area with Bald Eagles McGwire and Sanibel. This is a photo op where a photographer will take photos of guests posing next to one of these Bald Eagles.

Marz the Red-tailed Hawk...

...and Shadow the Bateleur Eagle will be two of the birds greeting visitors in the weathering area (photos: Gay Schroer)

On display in a special area will be Shadow the Bateleur Eagle, Carmelita the Great Horned Owl, Prius the hybrid Gyrfalcon/Peregrine Falcon, and Marz the Red-tailed Hawk. 

Scarlett the Red-shouldered Hawk...

...and Otis the Abdim's Stork will be two of the birds entertaining visitors on the Grant's Farm stage (photos:  Gay Schroer)

We will also be working with a few new birds onstage--Scarlett the Red-shouldered Hawk, Emerson the Eurasian Eagle Owl, and Otis the Abdim’s Stork.  These last two birds are fairly new to me and I look forward to learning their individual personalities and behaviors.  So far it has been a great learning experience.

Please, come see our shows and say hi.  We are always happy to meet you and answer your questions.  Education is what we love here at World Bird Sanctuary and there is a never-ending supply of it.  We are always looking up into the skies and ready to identify what we see and we absolutely enjoy spreading that knowledge to others. 

Submitted by W. Leigh French, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist/Trainer

Food, Glorious Food!

It finally happened.  Well, OK--it happens to everyone at one point or another…writer’s block.  For some reason this month I had a lot of trouble coming up with a topic for my blog.  After a brainstorming session I realized some of my best blogs were based on questions people have asked about our birds. 

An assortment of food items cleaned, chopped, and ready to be delivered to the birds (photo: Leah Tyndall)

This month I decided to answer a question we hear frequently at World Bird Sanctuary shows and on site, “What are you feeding them?”  An excellent question!  We feed our birds an all-natural diet.  If they eat it in the wild, we feed it to them in captivity…as long as it is feasible.  For our meat-eating birds of prey we have a variety of options such as mice, rats, rabbits, pigeon, fish, chicken, and venison.

The omnivores such as crows, ravens, seriemas and cranes get meat as well as delicious produce and soaked dog food.  It may sound a little strange, but dog food is an excellent source of protein and well balanced for omnivores; also for many of the birds it is their favorite part of the meal.

The parrots have a special dry diet that looks remarkably like cereal (but doesn’t taste like cereal), as well as freshly chopped produce.  They also get nuts, over-ripe bananas and hard-boiled eggs.

One of our parrots watching intently as his bowl is filled with produce (photo: Leah Tyndall)

Raw eggs are given as enrichment to the omnivores and vultures.  Each species, and sometimes each individual, has their own unique way of eating them.  Crows and ravens poke the shells, vultures pick them up and drop them, seriemas slam them to the ground.

Since we process our own deer meat (donated by generous hunters –or-- road-killed deer brought to us by the State Highway Department), we often have deer leg bones that we give to the vultures.  Their specialized beaks can remove the meat from the bone more cleanly and thoroughly than we humans could ever hope to achieve.

Much of our food is donated to us by various generous individuals and organizations.  Without them our organization’s budget would be severely impacted.  Not that we don’t spend a large part of our budget on food for the birds, but donations help tremendously when you have about 200 birds to feed.  Since our birds get an all-natural, whole food diet we have to do some prep work before it can be fed to the birds.

Be warned this next section is a bit graphic!  In the wild, birds of prey will catch their food and often remove the lower digestive tract or “guts” before enjoying their meal.  In order to make things easier on ourselves in terms of cleaning, and for the health of the birds, we remove most of the guts before feeding meat to our birds.  Yes ladies and gentlemen, we have to gut and cut up rats and rabbits and deer (oh my) every day.  Keep this in mind if you ever plan to work with raptors.

Hunter, a Eurasian Eagle Owl, eating a tasty piece of rat meat after a lovely bath in his tub; room service and a bath--what more could an owl ask?  (photo: Leah Tyndall)

We also must cut up produce everyday and soak dog food.  Down at the behind the scenes area of World Bird Sanctuary we spend over half of our day doing food prep.  It’s a dirty, messy job, but someone’s gotta do it!

“But Leah,” you may be thinking, “do you ever feed your birds live food?”  Another excellent question, hypothetical audience!  We do not--for a couple of reasons.  The first is that we do not want our birds to associate movement with food.  Many of our programs take place outdoors and we don’t want our birds taking off every time a squirrel runs by or a songbird wanders into the theater.  The second reason has to do with the bird’s safety.  All of our birds were raised in captivity or must remain in captivity due to injuries that prevent them from hunting properly.  This means a bird either never learned to hunt or cannot do so and pitting them against live prey could result in the bird becoming injured if the prey fights back.  The only time we use live prey is with birds that are being rehabilitated to be released back into the wild.  We need to be sure that they have fully recovered and can hunt on their own after being fed by humans during their treatment.

A diet as similar as possible to their wild counterparts is important to the health of captive birds.  Through generous donations we are able to feed our birds the best food for them.  This may look a tad unappetizing if you come to visit, but please know that it is the best possible nutrition we can give our animals.  It’s this knowledge that makes all of the countless hours of food prep, the scissors hand cramps, and the over familiarity with mammal and fish digestive tracts completely worth it.

 

Submitted by Leah Tyndall, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist/Trainer