Must be Predators

BWSmith · 10-24-04, 06:22 PM

It must just be predators in general that I have a love for. I am working on falconry at the moment in addition to the never ending learning curve of herps. Yesterday I finally got approved for Screech owls and assisted on some public education while working with them. They are soooooo cute! You can't help but love a 6" tall owl.

I kindof went out of order a bit. Screech owls were supposed to be the first, but I got some hands on experience with the Barred Owl last month. Still am not checked off on them yet, but I have got her out of her pen, fed her, and have done general maintenance.

My adrenaline rush for yesterday was having to capture a very irate adult Red Tail Hawk. The talon strength is more than you can imagine. We had to capture her because her pen-mate was having some serious problems and went blind. So we had to administer about an hour of medical treatment to her. Very interesting stuff. With birds, there is a fine line between a little sick and dead. She was not expected to make it through the night. Hopefully I will get an update tomorrow. Poor girl.

Invictus · 10-24-04, 06:37 PM

Congrats on your new ventures, man. This is something I"ve long been interested in myself, but there are too many restrictions in place in Canada, not to mention, a very aggressive climate that isn't very conducive to giving these creatures outdoor pens.

lostwithin · 10-24-04, 06:48 PM

I would Love to get into falconry, I have looked into it a few times, but would always hit dead ends. It is definitely a goal of mine for the future.

Devon

Katt · 10-24-04, 07:36 PM

Canadian Falconry is alive in well. In fact there's a falconry meet in Alberta sometime between now and end of this year.

There are great places to hunt in Alberta and SK. I invite any wanna be falconers to join the CanadianFalconry list on YahooGroups.

blazinreps · 10-24-04, 10:02 PM

wow what a coincidence me and my cousin were just talking about falconry before i red this post. we thought it would be a really interesting skill to learn. So i did a searcha nd found a school for it 40 minutes from toronto and am thinking of checking it out its 600 for 5 straight days of teaching. i was just wondering where u learned and any info u could give me about the sport/skill.

marisa · 10-24-04, 10:16 PM

There is an supposedly really nice falcon place near me (about an hour north of TO) in Ontario. They have many species, and one day I want to check it out. Cool pics!

Marisa

BWSmith · 10-24-04, 11:31 PM

I don't really have any profound advice at this point except learn all you can. Birds of Prey are much more complicated than herps (at least to me). I told them when I started volunteering to treat me as a novice who knows nothing. So basically, we are trading herp info for BOP experience. Basically the only thing I am confortable with at this point is gloving (much more complicated than I thought). Oddly enough, I am getting more experience on vet treatments on them than handling as the facility I volunteer with gets mostly rehabs for release. I have already helped force feed 2 hawks. And by help, i mean holding feet. I am no where near ready to shove my fingers in a hawk's mouth! I just wish my schedule allowed for more time there. As it is, I only get down there about one day a month.

bistrobob85 · 10-25-04, 12:07 AM

Wow, i would REALLY like to deal with BOP like that! Those are also amazing animals with amazing behavior! I've dreamed of falconry for a long time...

phil.

RepTylE · 10-25-04, 02:48 PM

You're lucky to be able to work with owls. Around here you hear them at night but never see them lol. Screech Owls are cute little buggers

crimsonking · 10-25-04, 08:08 PM

Cool! I have said before that if I had the time and resources I'd be into the raptors probably more so than snakes. We have a few screech owls in my yard and I've watched them for years. At work I am lucky to watch red shouldered hawks every day and sometimes they come to within a few feet while I work. Ospreys are always around as well and have nests on the property. Impressive no matter the size.
:Mark

Jeff_Favelle · 10-25-04, 09:31 PM

Cool! I watch the dude down the road (field) from work almost every day with his Peregrine. That thing is FAST!

BWSmith · 10-25-04, 09:56 PM

There will defiantely be more pics when I get to the Red Tailed Hawks and Red Dhouldered Hawks. They also have a Broad Wing Hawk rehabbing at the moment. Butt he Great Horned Owl will probably be the next. Gotta get through all the owls first. Oddly enough, the vultures are the most intimidating to me. They got a little overzealous when I went into their pen to feed them.

They have some mammals too. I need to upload the Beaver Shots