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This week Jennifer arranged for us to have an up close experience with a Raptor Rehabber. What amazing creatures he had to show us! The kids LOVED being up close and personal with the large variety of owls, and the falcon and hawk. The rehabber had been doing this for twenty years. He had a lot of great stories to share. |
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This is a saw-whet owl. I had never heard of this type of owl. They are actually all over North America. Like most owls, the biggest threat is from humans causing lack of habitat. They live in conifer trees, and weigh only about as much as a robin! I want you to notice his cute little raptor type feet...soon, you will see some massive raptor feet!
Raptors are different from other birds because they eat only meat. Of course, there are other birds who eat only meat, but the distinction with raptors is, they hunt solely with those feet.
Not much is known about the saw-whet owl, but they are considered to be one of the highest populated density owls. They are small, and very illusive with no defined patterns.
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To the right is the Eastern Screech Owl. While similar in size to the above Saw-whet Owl, this guy can be grey or brown, but has very distinct ‘tufts’ on his head. Some owls have tufts, and some don’t. There have been reports of these owls pressing themselves against the bark of an oak tree to hide. These are also fairly common, and much less illusive than the Saw-whet.
I like him because he reminds me of the owl on Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood!!
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On the right you can see one of the most recognizable owls around...the Barn Owl. The are also one of the most threatened owls around. Some states have even put them on the endangered species list. Why? You guessed it...destruction of habitat. You see, as many family owned farms give way to housing developments and corporate farms these guys have no where to go.
These guys are really beautiful. Below, you see some really big talons!
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This is an owl near and dear to my heart...The Barred Owl. Okay, until a few years ago, I didn’t even know this owl existed. But, in recent years I have had encounters with this guy in my own yard. Unlike other owls who are illusive, this owl is curious, and will perch in a tree with ten kids running and screaming all around. I know this, because it has happened on more than one occasion at my house. And, even though the koi guy, and now the raptor conservancy guy say they don’t—they eat koi fish. I saw it. And, they are frequently seen hunting around my koi pond. Now I have made a bamboo stick grid to go over my pond to try and save the fish. This has been successful, but one thing you don’t want to use around a pond is filament string. It is clear, and unobtrusive to view, but, if an owl comes in they could become tangled and hurt themselves badly.
Here is more about these: |
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This is the king (or in this case, Queen) of the owl world. The Great Horned Owl. This gal was handled from birth and imprinted on humans. Therefore, although there is nothing wrong with her, she had no fears of humans. She was rescued plucking hot dogs from somebody’s picnic lunch! She has taken her handler on as her mate, and while he was talking to us, she had plenty to say. Also, what was really funny, was when it was time to go back in her crate she had to ‘talk’ to him about it. She was not feeling very happy about all of us being too close to ‘her man’—As you can see from the picture on the right!
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We finished out our Raptor talk with a falcon and a hawk. What a great experience for the kids to see these amazing birds up close.
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