|
The Southwestern Raptor Club Celebrates International Migratory Bird Day in
Frankfort
|
|
On Saturday, May 8,2004 members of the Southwestern Raptor Club
Traveled to the Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort, Kentucky, to take
part in the in the celebration of International Migratory Bird Day. A total of
twelve club members were present at the event. Although our sponsor, Mrs.
Frances Carter, was unable to attend we were joined by our Co-sponsor, Mr.
James Cox, along with five parent volunteers. We also brought seven of our birds
along with us. Among these birds were Hoo-Doo and Cleo, Screech Owls; Saucy,
a Barred Owl; Typo, a Great Horned Owl; Edgar, a Raven; Nakomis, a Red-
Tailed Hawk; and Indy a Bald Eagle. The following is a sample of some of the
information covered during the presentation.
|
|
Cleo (Screech Owl) - Her wing was broken when she was hit by a car in Perry
County.
|
|
Saucy (Barred Owl) - He was found in Owsley County. He had been taken
out of his nest as a baby and was kept as a pet. Since this is illegal he was
confiscated by the Game Warden. The people who had him are getting State
and Federal charges brought against them.
|
|
Typo (Great Horned Owl) - He was found in Casey County hung in a barbed
wire fence. Great horned Owls can turn their heads 270 degrees because they
have extra vertebrates. Their ears are not level, one is high the other is low.
This helps them pen point where their prey is. Great Horned Owls have 500
Ibs. of pressure in each of their talons. Owls are often hit by cars because
their eyes are fixed in their head. And when they become focused on their
prey, they must turn their heads to see around them. This often causes them to
get hit by a car or run into fences. If a GHO got in a fight with a Bald Eagle
the GHO would win because they are so determined.
|
|
Edgar (Raven) - He was found in Letcher County his right wing was broken
and had to be amputated. We're not really sure what happened to him but
since Ravens are supposed to be such "smart" birds we joke that he probably
ran into a tree. In fact if we had his tongue cut a certain way, he would be
able to talk but he makes enough noise already.
|
|
Nakomis (Red-Tailed Hawk) - His right Wing was Broken when he was hit by
a car in Owensboro. He was sent to the Science center in Owensboro for a
while but since they were never going to be able to release him they sent him
to us. Red Tails are the Largest and most common hawks in Kentucky. Red-
Tailed Hawks see in picks so if they watched TV they would see in individual
frames, not the whole picture like the rest of us do. They can also see their
prey up to a mile away and have 250 Ibs. of pressure in each of their talons.
|
|
Indy (Bald Eagle) - We received him from the Memphis Zoo. He was shot
over Reel Foot Lake and, as a result his wing was amputated. However, such
an operation would now be illegal. Bald Eagles have 1200 Ibs. of pressure in
each of their talons. Our golden Eagle, Lakota, from Cody,Wyoming, has two
full wings but he has arthritis.
|
