Wild and Tame

Here's a little look at the Peregrine falcon who is a fixture at the Wildlife Rehab Center. He's long ago healed up and has a permanent home there. Every day he gets to come out of his house and sit on top of his perch, where he likes watching everyone. He doesn't need to be tethered or anything. He rules the roost, so to speak.

When we get busy with things elsewhere, he amuses himself by going to the edges of what he must feel is his permissible territory because when one of us passes by and actually notices he's not on the top of his house, he looks a little like a kid who emptied the cookie jar and he hops back into what he must feel is the place we expect him to be. It's a crack up.

Here I found him standing on a perch next to his cage -- He doesn't hop so fast, so he must not have been feeling very guilty that day, lol. But he does do the hop.

Forgive my voice-- I had laryngitis that day.

Wild and Tame

Here's a little look at the Perigrine Falcon who is a fixture at the Wildlife Rehab Center. He's long ago healed up and has a permanent home there. Every day he gets to come out of his house and sit on top of his perch, where he likes watching everyone. He doesn't need to be tethered or anything.
He rules the roost, so to speak.

When we get busy with things elsewhere, he amuses himself by going to the edges of what he must feel is his permissable territory because when one of us passes by and actually notices he's not on the top of his house, he looks a little like a kid who emptied the cookie jar and he hops back into what he must feel is the place we expect him to be. It's a crack up.

Here I found him standing on a perch next to his cage -- He doesn't hop so fast, so he must not have been feeling very guilty that day, lol. But he does do the hop.

Forgive my voice-- I had laryngitis that day.

This Is How We Learn

If Laura M is coming here to visit, please scroll down and don't miss the bunny video in the two posts below this one.

We have a variety of raptors and owls who come to the Rehab Center with concussions, broken wings etc. If it was awhile before someone found them they may be dehydrated too. Injuries often happens as a result of man, though not always. It's man who brings them in and man -- woman in our case -- who tries to save them, so I supposed there is some balance in the world.

See this nice, but REALLY BIG bird -- with the sharp beak? And the intense claws?

Well I had to administer a tube feeding of one just like it the other day.



Oh yea, that's right -- I was just finishing up with the squirrels and one of the women who run the place came over to me with a big syringe (about 6" high and 1/2" circumference) filled with a formula of Pedialyte + nutrition. Instead of a needle it had a long, very skinny tube on the end of it. She handed it to me and within seconds was back holding a bird much like the one above. There is a special way to grip these birds so you can care for their injuries. With ultra-thick gloves on you must grasp them between the ankles with your thumb and two fingers to protect you from the talons and hold them still (If they are very distressed, it helps to cover their eyes while doing an inspection).

She sat down while I stood and told me: You are going to see a hole in the middle of his throat and pockets on either side. You are to stick this tube down either pocket and inject the fluid slowly. Be sure to not go to fast.

If I either put the tube down the hold or any liquid came backing up too fast and went in there I'd kill him... no pressure! Apparently that is like his windpipe. I was both terrified and eager to become capable. I was thinking how squeamish we all feel at the thought of them putting a tube down our throat in the hospital, let alone being the one to DO it. But, focusing on my desire to help, I overrode my fear.

She opened his beak with her other hand and extended his neck at the same time. Sure enough, things were as described, but it was awfully dark down his throat. I marshalled every bit of my over-40 eyesight and gently aimed for the left pocket and smoothly as possible threaded the tube in. At this point she told me when I hit some resistance I'd know it was his stomach and to stop there. The concept gave me a shiver but I did just fine. Then she told me to push the plunger, but to make sure that none of the liquid would back up... which I did and it didn't. Got through the whole giant syringe, and I pulled the tube out, and the bird went back into the comfort of his dark cage with a little mouse for dessert.

It was one of those things that's terrifying but with a life in hand, you reach new heights of ability and concentration. In truth, once this is done a few times, it probably is a no-brainer. But having no prior warning or experience, it was a big deal for me. She had no one else on hand who could do it, and the bird needed lifesaving fluids. This is why I love the Center so much. I watch, I ask questions, I study, I am careful, and because these lives depend on you, you learn to do things quickly and correctly.

Who needs to climb mountains or sky dive for a thrill? I'm kept on my toes by the feathered and furry every day.