Category: Educational

One Hawk, Three Releases

After a month an half stay, a healthy Ferruginous Hawk was released back into the wild and then released back into the wild and then released back into the wild.

This Hawk had been stuck in a barbed wire fence, a barb caught deeply in her wing. She was found hanging from the fence. When she arrived, her wing drooped. Signs of the damage can still be seen, however, she healed up well and is flying good.

Martin also included some discussion about the differences between a Harris Hawk and a Ferruginous Hawk.

Eight Months & Ten New Tail Feathers Later…

This hawk arrived in November of last year. The hawk had damage to primary feathers of one wing and was also missing 10 of 12 tail feathers. Someone ripped them out.

The hawk stayed with us for eight months until the feathers grew back.

🔹Time Stamps🔹

00:00 – 01:45 November: Introduction about the damage done to the Red Tailed Hawk
01:45 – 05:00 January: Update: tail feather growth and blood feathers
05:00 – 06:04 March: Update about feather growth

06:04 – 12:23 July: Update about feather condition and discussion about “Imping” – the process of replacing feathers rather than waiting to let them grow in naturally.
12:23 – 18:13 The Release of this Red Tailed Hawk

🔹First video about this Hawk 🔹
Raptors Need Their Tail Feathers
December 17th, 2019

3 Eagles, 2 Falcons & 6 Hawks! | Update from Martin

00:35 – #1: Ferruginous Hawk
02:56 – #2: Peregrine Falcon
04:07 – #3: Scout the Golden Eagle Wildlife Ambassador
– Please learn more about Scout & Martin in this playlist
04:38 – Please help Scout become the first Golden Eagle to receive a YouTube Silver Creator Award!
05:58 – #4: Baby Golden Eagle
– Video “Baby Eagle Found Alone and Hungry”
06:44 – #5: White Belly Bald Eagle
– Video “Rescued Rare White Belly Bald Eagle”
07:11 – #6: Helen the Peregrine Falcon Wildlife Ambassador
– Please learn more about Helen in this playlist
08:18 – #7: Belle the Harris Hawk Wildlife Ambassador
– Please learn more about Belle in these playlists:
— Playlist 1
— Playlist 2
09:40 – #8 & #9: Young sibling Cooper’s Hawks
– Video about these Cooper’s Hawk coming soon!
11:02 – #10: Red Tailed Hawk
– Video about this hawk “Raptors Need Their Tail Feathers”
12:07 – #11: Baby Swainsons Hawk
– Video about this Baby Swainsons Hawk coming soon!
14:02 – Update on the little birds
– Videos about the recent little birds:
— Little Birds Big Ruckus!
— Little Birds move outside
– Video about little birds and hummingbirds coming soon!
15:00 – Three ways you can help us help critters!
– Buy Martin’s book, Healer of Angels
– Visit our Charity Wishlist at Amazon
– Call Rodent Pro to send us a gift certificate

Frequently Asked Questions about Eagles

Frequently Asked Questions about how to help Wildlife

Livestream about Imping: Falconry Feather Fix

00:40 Definition of “imping”
01:10 Flight Feathers
02:00 Why Martin does not “replace” feathers very often
02:20 Deck Feather from Belle the Harris Hawk
02:40 The importance of properly matching each feather.
03:40 Feather collection & imping process ONLY by Rehabber, Falconer or other licensed individuals.
04:10 Deciding if imping is needed
04:55 Process of replacing of feather
09:30 Drawbacks to imping
11:00 Showing how the bird is handled for the process: “casting”. * Warning: a recently deceased hawk is used for this example, skip to 14:00 *
14:00 Limitations on number of feathers replaced
17:00 Question: Does the bird feel the process?
18:00 Question: Have you experimented with other materials?
19:10 Question: Can they still preen that feather afterwards?
22:00 GPS tracking system for Falconry birds
25:35 Question: Does imping interfere at all with natural molting?
29:30 Question: Can a bird with an imped feather go back into the wild?
32:55 More about the memory of a very special Swainson’s Hawk
36:30 About banding Rehab birds
37:50 Question: Can hawk be preserved for educational usage?
40:00 Question: How do you preserve the feathers until you need them?
40:40 Question: Can removed feathers be damaged beyond repair?
42:00 Question: How are Scout, Belle & Helen doing?
44:30 Introducing the Mystery Guest
46:30 Feeding the Mystery Guest
48:48 Why we do not name Rehab birds
50:10 Question: Are there any birds you give plaques to?
52:50 Question: How will the little hawk learn how to hunt for food without mom and dad?
56:30 How you can help: book, Amazon Wishlist & Rodent Pro

Barn Owl Demands His Freedom!

On June 29th a young Barn Owl arrived at the rescue center. The young one was skinny and lethargic.

After a first quick meal, the owl was put in a rehab chamber to begin gaining strength. This owl recovered well while mostly left alone.

Disturbed briefly on July 8th, the owl was moved to a bigger chamber to allow room for a new Cooper’s Hawk. The owl was very lively, and near ready for release.

On July 11th, this very feisty and vocal Barn Owl was released back to the wild where he belongs.

Baby Eagle Found Alone & Hungry

On June 25th Martin was called out about a Golden Eagle. He and Susan rushed out to meet the people who called about the eagle. They met them on the edge of town where the eagle was in the back of their car. They had been in area where they could not call, so put the eagle in their car.

Martin noted they were very lucky not to have been injured. The eagle was too weak to put up a fight. It is generally best to leave the animal be and note down as much information as possible to share with those trained to handle the animals.

After examining the Golden Eagle, Martin saw it was a youngster, maybe 12 weeks old and still growing feathers. Back at the rescue center, the young eagle perked up slightly, enough to take down a small meal. Martin kept a close eye on the eagle throughout the night. The next day, he put food in with the eagle to see if he would be able to feed himself. It took some time, but eventually, the eagle did “pull” his own food. Recovery looks likely though Scout will have a young neighbor for awhile, possibly until August.

This young Golden Eagle that arrived back in June is released back to the wild!

Learn more about Eagles, our FAQ

This Young Kestrel Falcon needs no help

On June 21st, Martin was called out to check on a young Kestrel Falcon in a person’s yard. Upon arrival, Martin saw the nest nearby. Based on the size and age of the Kestrel, Martin knew the parents were still around to care for the young one. In this case, the Kestrel was in no danger and knowing he was all right, the home owner’s were happy to share their home and leave him be.
For more information about helping wild birds, please visit here.