You hold your wrist straight at his legs and press into them a little and say "UP". That should make those strong claws grab onto the glove. Then you hold your hand up and higher than your shoulder. The bird feels comfortable being high up and he won't feel the need to try to fly away. If your arm starts to sag with the weight, birds will start to crawl up to reach the height they see on your shoulder, or hey, maybe your head. OK with a parrot, but not these killer feet!
Look at him!!! Magnificent! His life was saved by the Wildlife Rehab and Education Center but he was not able to be released into the wild, which is their main goal. If an animal can't get away from predators or eat properly, or are not 100% in the noggin due to some kind of fall or accident, they are kept by the center, or a zoo or the like to be an ambassador for their species. Hence the educational part of the Center's title.
This bird as well as the Peregrine Falcon, the Red Tailed Hawk, the Screech Owl and the Hedgehog go out for public talks and do a great service. But to take them out, they have to be trained a little, so they behave well in public and so their own stress level is minimized.
He was sitting out because Kinky Freeman came to visit, with a small group of folks he had with him. I guess he was speaking for the SPCA the next day, and has some kind of animal preserve of his own. This owl was part of the welcoming committee.
Then I got to put away the gorgeous and fluffy Red Tailed Hawk. Neither bird cooperated so well on my first try but that's what you have the leg straps for. They have custom made little leather leg straps and gromets in the center where they can attach to a rope, so if they do fly, they don't go very far. It's as much for their own safety as ours. It was easier with the Hawk than the Owl. And after the initial moment of taking in what I'd learned wore off, it hit me what I'd just done.
I may have lost the thrill of New York City but Mother Nature is a formidible match. I just can't believe I get to do this stuff!
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13 comments:
i am happy for having a good soul out there and someone like you must be commended for this heroic deeds.....thanks for sharing this one, hope this could set as an example to others.
Hey Syd-
My senior year of high school I volunteered at a bird of Prey rescue place. We had hawks, owls, falcons and eagles. I never held any eagle since they are so big, but I did the others. They are beautiful creatures up close. And scary. Most of my work was cleaning mews and feeding. I did an internship in the summer before heading of to college in Wyoming to study wildlife management. Alas I did not graduate and now I work inside all day at a computer. But I get to talk to my cyber friends.
I love reading about the city girls adventures with wildlife. You are like a little kid in a candy store. Eating every little bit of nature that comes your way.
My WV is humpa - What??
Margo
Very cool to be able to work with such magestic birds.
We found a Great Horned Owl in our chicken coop one morning. Boy were we surprised, plus we were missing one chicken. Mr. Owl was so stuffed we had to give a little prod (gently)with a rake to get him out of the coop.
Lolit -- thank you for your lovely comments always. You are such a support ... I think that you must be quite an animal lover yourself
Margo -- I had no idea! That's so interesting. And boy, did you hit the nail on the head.. I didn't realize that but all it takes is someone with an objective outlook to show you yourself. I like that image.
And I think humpa may be a premonition about the next video I uploaded for tomorrow, lol.
Hello Crochet lady! What a great story! I'm trying to picture a WHOLE chicken in the belly of an owl. I guess they wound it and eat it bit by bit, because that's what they do to what we feed them, but when I read your comment I just pictured a bird with a chicken sized belly.
Of course he didn't want to move. I imagine staying in the coop would be like breakfast in bed the next day!
Off Topic-
I'm ready call me Margarita Girl. I travel to internet putting a little twist in everyone's drink.
Margo
Actually that sound gross - I'll have to work on it.
He's such a gorgeous bird! It must've been an incredible experience holding him.
I can't believe it either..lucky you!!! He's awesome!
~ Carol ~
Very cool indeed.
On another note I notice you changed your icon, that too is cool. Although seeing you on your bike always made me smile.
I love owls..we have a wildlife park here and they rehab wounded animals also.
We got to see a Turkey Vulture up close and a
Barred Owl..SWEET
This is very cool! I've seen more owls this year than any one human deserves, but would see another in a skinny minute if opportunity provided, captive or wild.
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