Words For Wildlife by State licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator, James Orr
RAPTOR RAP
I was recently asked to help Red tailed hawk that had broken its wing. It was on the ground trying to fight off three Turkey Vultures when it was rescued. In order to have possession of any Raptor or migratory bird you must work under a Federal license. Even having a dead bird or feathers from such a bird is a Federal offense.
The hawk was x-rayed by Dr. Davis at the Davis Animal Hospital who also set the wing. It had to be caged with its wrap for at least 4 weeks. It seemed the hawk ate almost as much as my dogs, about a half pound of meat every day or two. Both its wings had to be bound to limit movement so the broken bone could “knit”, grow back together.
I had to wear Kevlar (bulletproof material) gloves to be able to handle Raptors with any degree of safety. They have long talons that are incredibly powerful. Great Horned owls are perhaps the most powerful and ferocious having been known to steal nests from Eagles. Each talon is capable of exerting 500 pounds of pressure per square inch. They cannot only penetrate skin but welding gloves as I discovered the hard way before investing in my Kevlar gloves. The gloves prevent skin piercing but do not prevent bruising from these powerful birds that can actually break bones with talon pressure.
I once had a young man arrive at the Refuge with an owl in his lap that needed treatment. “Its tame” the boy exclaimed when I expressed my concern for his future ability to produce children. What he did not realize and fortunately did not find out is that most animals become very lethargic and seem tame when in shock. This can change at any second and what seems like a friendly “tame” bird can quickly become a threshing beast with razor sharp talons and a powerful flesh tearing beak. They tell us in rehab class to control the talons first with exception of the Blue Heron that is more likely to try to pierce your throat with its beak. Any volunteers?
After the hawk had its wings unbound it then has to rebuild its dormant muscles before it can be released. This is accomplished either in a very large flight cage or by “Creance”, attaching a strung to the Hawk’s feet and flying it in circles like a remote control plane. Make that a fighter plane with wicked weapons. I think I prefer the cage technique and I am quickly trying to finish up construction of a large flight cage. It often takes a month ot two before the wing muscles are strong enough to resume the regiment of full time hunting.
A Few Final Words
A lot of Raptors have been lost this past year to the West Nile Virus. They are particularly susceptible because they eat a lot of birds in their diet which increases the odds of contact. Even several owls at the Little Rock Zoo died from the decease.
It is not uncommon for a bird that recovers from a broken wing to heal with wings out of balance making it difficult to fly. Nature compensate for this type of side effect at the next feather molting by growing more feathers where needed to rebalance the deformity.
Most Raptors drink little if any water and get their fluids from the prey they eat. They can be easily drowned trying to give them water.
DONATIONS NEEDED If you would like to help any donation amount it is greatly appreciated. Donations should be made out to Witter Wildlife Refuge and can be sent to P.O. Box 1118, Huntsville AR 72740.
See web page under "HOW YOU CAN HELP" for specific ways you can help us help wildlife
