Anasazi: Then and Now

What a difference a year (and proper care) can make!  Anasazi (formerly known as Baby G) came in malnutritioned to the point where she couldn't even support her own weight.  The proper amount of Calcium is critical to a bird's diet!  Without it, they develop a condition (among others) called bendy bone where the bones actually bend as they are growing. This type of damage is generally irrepairable.  Anasazi is not releasable because of this condition, but she is a fiesty and curious student in our Education program.

This is Aurora, our newest bald eagle.  She came from a rehabilitator in Wisconsin about a year ago.  She was quite a challenge initially as she had learned how to intimidate anyone other than her original handler.  She was a perfect angel on our last Show Low program at Fool Hollow Lake.  Here she is checking out a squirrel that is not very happy with her presence!  Thanks to John Glitsos for the photo.

Up in Pinetop earlier this year. (Did a show in Show Low)  Great weather and the birds loved being out in the cool.  Next show is this weekend!  (July 7)

Sara and Acoma

Here is Sara with the love of her life...Acoma, the Red Tail Hawk.  They are actually about the same age!  Liberty visits the Gilbert Riparian about once a month.  Check out our calendar @ http://www.libertywildlife.org/public-calendar/ for an event near YOU!

Nigel gets TWO girlfriends!

Nigel (Left) is a Northern Saw-whet owl and earns a living as an Education bird at the Montana Raptor Conservation Center. He recently got the opportunity to share his humble abode with 2 females currently being rehabilitated.  Notice the OMG! look. :-)   (Thanks to Director Becky Kean for the photo.)

Even though he only weighs about 3 lbs., Quanah gives my left arm a workout! Did you know Turkey Vultures are big conservationists?  From their dihedral flight, to their urohydrosis (they pee on their legs) method of cooling, to dropping their body temperature up to 11 degrees (F) over night, to absorbing heat with their built in "solar-panels" (like Quanah is doing in the pic), their methods seem to focus around energy conservation.  If only they could teach the rest of us!

It is almost time for the Decorah Eagles to nest!  In 2011, the first egg arrived on Feb. 23rd. The Raptor Resource Project is a non-profit that specializes in the preservation of falcons, eagles, ospreys, hawks, and owls. They have set up several web-cams for us humans to watch the wonders of these majestic animals.