Banding Birds Before Release
It would be great if we could put telemetry on all the raptors we release, but telemetry is expensive some rarely have that opportunity. Putting numbered leg bands on the birds costs nothing but our time, so all raptors are banded prior to release. Friday we banded a Red-tailed Hawk and a Great Horned Owl that Samantha returned to Walla Walla and released. Below, Samantha and I are banding the owl. The orange marking paint on the owls legs was to differentiate him from two other owls housed in the same flight pen.
A Few Great Horned Owls are Still at the Hack Site
Some of the Great Horned Owls hacked out at a hack site a couple of miles from the center are still returning for food. Typically the owls would stay with their parents into the fall so this is normal behavior. Kirsti captured this Great Horned Owl perched in a window of the barn when she was bringing food one night. The owl flew as soon as she climbed the stairs. The owls like the rats we provide, but they have no use for people.
Breakfast is Served
In the wild, the preferred prey of Golden Eagles are Jack Rabbits. In captivity they don’t seem to mind that we substitute domestic rabbit. Over the years I have met a number of rabbit breeders who appreciate that the rabbits they need to cull can be food for eagles (the rabbits are never fed live). It is a win-win situation.
Can you spot the photobombing owl?
Kirsti Strandberg is spending several weeks at the center. In addition to helping out in many ways, she is documenting her experience with pictures and sharing them with us. Thank you Kirsti!
