January 16, 2011

Lila had such a busy day at Wild Bird Rescue.  She didn’t even get to my aviary until 10:30 this morning to feed me.  She had to drive out on Highway 281 to meet a couple of Highway Patrol officers.  A Red-tailed Hawk had been hit by a car and was down in the road.  Luckily this hawk had no broken bones, just head trauma.  Then an Eastern Screech Owl was brought under the same circumstances…hit by a car.  The prognosis is not good as it is bleeding internally.  The last bird in today was a Cedar Waxwing which had been shot by with a BB gun.  It appears to be a grazing wound but this little fellow is not out of the woods.   The infirmary is full!  Sadly, the “Bent and Broken” season is in full swing.  Disheartened for my feathered kin…Phee  Phew!

January 10, 2011

Brrrrrrrrrrr...it's cold!  Even though I am shacked up in the inside aviary, I can still feel the cold wind creeping through my window like icy fingers ruffling my feathers.  I am so glad I'm not living in my outside mew this time of year.  Have you ever wondered how wild birds which don't migrate stay warm in these extreme temperatures?  Well...so have I.  I borrowed Lila's laptop and put my toes to work googling this question.  Here's what I learned.  On cold, wintry days, most birds fluff up their feathers, creating air pockets, which help keep the birds warm. The more air spaces, the better the insulation. Some birds perch on one leg, drawing the other leg to the breast for warmth.   On sunny winter days, many birds will take advantage of solar heat by turning their backs to the sun.  Birds will also shiver to raise their metabolic rate and generate more body heat as a short term solution to extreme cold. Wow, I didn't know we birds had a built in furnace like that.  No wonder I've been ruffled all day...I just creating additional air pockets to keep me warm.  And you thought I was just getting fat!  Phee Phew!

January 7, 2011

Did you know that Texas has an Eagle Fest?  You heard me correctly!!!  Rains County is the Eagle Capital of Texas.  This year’s Eagle Fest will be held February 5^th in Emory, Texas.  The event includes a barge tour where a Bald Eagle might be spotted.  Dr. James Conrad from Texas A&M will be speaking on Bald Eagles too.  Last Chance Forever and The Blackland Prairie Raptor Center will have live exhibitions with their birds of prey.  Why…if I had both my eyes, I might just fly there myself.  Phee Phew!

January 6, 2011

Today a Bald Eagle was spotted flying over Lake Wichita.  Occasionally Wild Bird Rescue will get a call in the summer mistaking my kind-the Mississippi Kite for a Bald Eagle.  However, Bald Eagles can be found in Texas only during the winter months when Kites are long gone to South America.   Actually Bald Eagles share the same family with me, the Accipitridae family; which also includes hawks, all types of kites, and old-world vultures.  Bald Eagles were placed on the Endangered Species List in 1967 and remained there until 2007 when US Fish and Wildlife Service removed them from the list.  However, Bald Eagles are still protected by the Migratory Species Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.  Okay girls and boys…class is over for today.  Come back tomorrow to learn more about our National Bird, the Bald Eagle!  Phee Phew!

January 5, 2011

The game warden brought in a barred owl which had apparently been hit by a car.  Bob, Lila, and Steve did an initial exam which showed the owl to be blind but no other apparent injuries.  Head trauma often causes temporary or sometimes permanent blindness.  This owl was treated with Dexajet and eye drops.  This morning when Lila stopped by to feed me, she looked in on the barred owl.  It was bright, alert and appeared to have regained some of its sight.  With continued care, we hope this beautiful owl will be released back into the wild where it belongs.  Phee Phew!

January 3, 2011

Wow another year has come and gone.  Great things continue to happen at Wild Bird Rescue.  First, we have two new educational birds...Eastern Screech Owls.  One is a red phase and the other a gray phase.  The owls will take their rightful place in the education mew as soon as they are ready.  Secondly, Wild Bird Rescue has plans to build a new raptor aviary and a new shorebird aviary.  Hopefully construction will begin in 2011.  As for me?  I am still the same old fabulous Missi.  Be on the look out for me in 2011.  I'll be out at numerous events and presentations.  Hope to see you soon!  Phee Phew!