Goshawk, Barred Owl, Red-tails, Broadwing, Nighthawk, & Great-horned Galore

Although baby season has slowed down for this season the clinic is still overflowing with patients. Let's start with a batch of good news. We enjoyed fantastic weather these past couple of weeks which is great for RELEASES. Watching the babies grow up is one of my favorite parts of the summertime. After seeing songbirds come in featherless and pinky-sized and raptors come in looking like abominable snowmen, it's the best feeling in the world to be able to watch them fly freely into the sky in the unruly, teenager phase.

These past couple of weeks gave way to several releases of this summer's babies, and we still have several more to go! Here's some photos of the birds before and during release. The list of released birds included several barn swallows, several Eastern phoebes, cardinal, yellow-rumped warbler (also known as a
butter-butt"), goldfinch, chipping sparrows, bluebirds, a couple of broad-winged hawks, turkey vulture baby, and 10 merlins. The following are photos of some of the released.

 Yellow-rumped warbler before release. See why they get the nickname "butter-butt"?

 Cardinal just before release

 Rehabilitator Brennan opening a box full of songbirds, first out of the gates, a beautiful bluebird

One of several barn swallows released. They all immediately took to the air and began to catch bugs!

 Although she's not quite ready for release yet, this Great-horned owl spends several hours in our long flight hallway each day.

 These two photos were taken right after release. This young turkey vulture graced the blog several weeks back as a white fluff-ball with a black face. After several weeks under the care of a foster parent, this young turkey vulture is soaring high above REGI daily with his new wild family!

We love releases here at REGI. It's always a reason to celebrate. The time and effort put into each individual bird adds up to countless man hours. Even though these birds were ready for release, new patients are coming in daily just beginning their rehabilitation process. We've admitted raptors, wetland birds, and a BABY GOLDFINCH within this past week (I'm not sure what the goldfinch's parental units were thinking when they decided that NOW was a good time to lay eggs). The next several pictures are updates from the clinic and their stories.

This Northern goshawk was found under someone's deck. It most likely had a run in with a window while hunting it's favorite prey... other birds. Her wings are now un-taped from her injury, and she spent several hours in our flight hallway today. The prognosis at this point is great!

This red-tailed hawk came in very thin and a little spacey with what we believe to be West Nile Virus (WNV). The virus is spread through bites of infected mosquitoes. WNV has several effects on birds. Everything from their eyesight to their feathers can be damaged indefinitely. 

 Great-horned owl that entered the clinic after being found in someone's front yard mid-day. Strange behavior for a GHO.

This common nighthawk was also found mid-day. Strange for a bird that flies nearly exclusively in the dusk and night hours. Although they have "hawk" in their name don't let it fool you, they only prey on insects. As of right now he eats every half-hour and can handle nearly 15 waxworms at a time!

Barred owl that came in very thin. He's been on a liquid starvation diet since admittance, and will likely begin to eat solid foods again soon

 Another red-tailed hawk exhibiting signs of WNV.

Getting just as much attention as the raptors is this little sora that was found under someone's vehicle. A strange place since they are mostly found in thick vegetation wetlands. He's thin, but is fattening up as we speak.

Although the songbird babies have flown the proverbial nest, the clinic is still very busy. WNV seems to be hitting the raptor world hard this year in the Wisconsin northwoods, and each bird that enters the clinic comes in a very critical state. Several of these birds come in very weak, emaciated, and spooked. One minute you look into their eyes and everything is okay, the next minute they are looking at you as if you were a giant purple monster and exhibiting more aggression. Each bird is handled with extreme care.

Time to head out for the day! Remember... REGI TOURS HAVE BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH SEPTEMBER! Tours will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10AM. Spots are limited, and pre-registration is required. Please call (715)623-2563 to reserve your spots!

- Katie Rymer, Assistant Avian Rehabilitator 

Grown Ups, Patient Updates, & Interns

Hey everyone, were still swamped in baby season here at REGI.

Here's a picture-filled blog full of updates!

_____ All Grown Up _____

These merlins made their debut on our last blog (above), look how grown up they look now (below)

Hard to imagine that just several weeks ago these striking falcons were just white puff balls with large eyes, sharp beaks, and quick feet. Merlins go from hatching to flight in only one month, and we can attest to that here at REGI. This has been the summer of the merlins. We've seen seven fluffy babies come through our clinic doors. All of which are currently flight training in an outside enclosure!

The Virginia Rail is doing great, and enjoys fresh duckweed and insects daily

Look at who else is growing up! REGI's Virginia Rail is no longer cotton ball size! He stirred up quite an array of followers on our Facebook, and would like to thank everyone for their monetary donations to support his bloodworm addictions! He still has expensive tastes, and has moved up to waxworms & small minnows.

This baby turkey vulture had a high-speed migration in a car from the University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota contacted us this past week with an interesting request. They had acquired a turkey vulture chick that had fallen from its nest into a large body of water, and he needed a foster parent. Kayakers found the little one flapping around in the water and were able to pull him up into the kayak and get him to the University of Minnesota. Here at REGI, we have several successful turkey vulture foster parents, some of which who have fostered Minnesota vultures in the past. It appears that these two are over the whole Packer/Viking feud, and are getting along great!

_____ Patient Updates _____

This young broad-winged hawk came into the clinic just yesterday. His parents may have kicked him out of the nest because he appears to be fully blind in his left eye.

This red-tailed hawk came into the clinic starving and has an injury to a leg. Cases like this lead us to believe he she had some sort of collision with a car which left her unable to hunt.

This great-horned owl came into the clinic very thin. A male great-horned owl weighs over 2 lbs, and a female can be over 4 lbs. This one came into the clinic weighing just over 1 lb. Release is a long way in the future for this owl... but we are crossing our fingers/toes for success

_____ Summer Interns _____

 Licensed rehabilitator Alberta & intern Alyssa tubing one of several fledgling eagles in the clinic

The interns this summer are doing a fantastic job! They truly get the whole rehabilitation experience here at REGI. Although they work long hours (as all of our former interns will remember), their spirits stay strong. The following are all photos of the interns learning experiences to date. They have seen a vast array of different species come through the clinic doors, and never know which one could be next!

Licensed rehabilitator Alberta & intern Maddie tubing another fledgling eagle

Intern Kerry holding a belted kingfisher while he anxiously awaits a larger box in the clinic

Interns Maddie and Sarah tubing the 1 lb great-horned owl

Intern Molly enjoying some alone time with our education peregrine falcon

_____ Summer Tours _____

 Molly, our education director, leading a tour past our crows & raven

Our education peregrine falcon poses for the tour group. Come meet our peregrine up close on one of our on-site tours

Summer tours are still soaring strong. Tours run Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the second Saturday of every month. Most tours still have spaces for both the 10AM & 1PM time slots. Call the education office at REGI to reserve your spots ahead of time (715) 623-2563.

Enjoy your week, it sounds like we finally have some rain in the forecast!

- Katie Rymer, Assistant Avian Rehabilitator

American Kestrel with a Wing Fracture Admitted, Lots of Patient Updates, UWSP Continuing Education LIFE Tour,

It has been another busy day. I have a feeling that will be our daily mantra until fall.



( Photo: This adult male American Kestrel was admitted from Mead Wildlife Area with a wing fracture.)

We admitted a beautiful American Kestrel with a wing fracture. He was also very low in weight. That usually means he broke his wing at least a few days before he was rescued. He'd been without food for that period of time. Wildlife lives on a narrow margin. Everything has to be perfect for them to survive. The good news is that since he was admitted, he has gained 20 grams. We expect he will make a full recovery and be able to get back home and back to the business of having a family.



( Photo: Our passerine ( songbird) incubators now contain 22 babies. Gratefully, all continue to thrive and grow including the tiny robins from a few days ago.)



( Photo: Some of our newest patients sharing a common nursery bowl in the incubator. they are House Finches and American Robins.)

Passerine nestlings continue to come in. I wish they had all been discovered in an accident or storm which took their nest down. I say I wish, because sadly this week we have had many come into rehab by landowners or renters who found the nest annoying and just HAD to take it down. It was only later they found themselves with nests of needy baby birds. All of these birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is against federal law to tamper with or destroy a nest, eggs or young of native wild birds. Many people seem unaware all indigenous birds, with the exception of House Sparrows and European Starlings (both are from Europe), are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This might be a good topic for a blog someday when I have time.



( Photo: Alberta examines the Broad-winged Hawk admitted two weeks ago with a wing fracture.)

The Broad-winged Hawk admitted two weeks ago has healed beautifully. Birds' bones are hollow and therefore heal more quickly than those of mammals. Today his wrap came off, and he was put into a small flight to begin his physical therapy looking toward release. Patients are first put in small flights and then in a few days he will go to a larger flight where he will be able to fully regain his muscle strength. Broad-winged Hawks are all business and have zero sense of humor. You can see from his expression he wishes he was anywhere but in rehab.



( Photo: The Broad-winged Hawk as Alberta released him to the recovery flight.)



( Photo: The UWSP LIFE Group ( Learning is Forever) toured REGI with plenty of umbrellas and enthusiasm during a heavy rainstorm. Notice our smiling albeit wet staff and birds (rt.) were excited with this terrific group as well. )

We had a wonderful tour the other day with the LIFE group from Stevens Point. The group is a UWSP Continuing Education Program, UWSP LIFE (Learning Is ForEver).
The day was less than perfect for a tour, but the hardy souls decided to brave the rain to see the birds and REGI. What troupers! The weather was nothing a bevy of bumbershoots couldn't fix. Thanks, everyone, for your patience and enthusiasm even on a wet day.



( Photo: Education Director Steve Fisher, with our Golden Eagle, braves the rain. )

Off to feed nestling passerine babies again. It is a full-time-job-plus. We are in serious need of volunteers to help with repairs on the facility and SO many other things. Please call if you have some time to offer. 715-623-4015 (clinic)

Have a wonderful tomorrow everyone.

Marge Gibson © 2010

Busy Day with Six Admissions, Saw-whet Owl, Broad-winged hawk, Coopers Hawk, American Goldfinch, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Mourning Dove

( Photo: This adult male Coopers Hawk was admitted from the Mosinee area. He has stunning red eyes. He was shot illegally and has a wing fracture. )



(Photo: This Saw-whet Owl weighed only 54 grams when admitted.He has a broken wing. His prognosis is very good for a full recovery. )

We are often asked to describe a typical day here at REGI. The thing is, we don't have a "typical" day ever. Each day is new and different with both challenges and joys. A few days ago we took several more calls than usual after our normal hours. By morning we had five patients waiting for transport from the Wausau area. Oddly each patient has a broken wing.

The Saw-whet Owl above was likely hit by a car near Hatley, WI. He was in the middle of a highway when spotted by an alert driver. He has a wing fracture but has a great prognosis for a full recovery. That would not have been the case had he not been removed from the road. The tiny owl is also low in weight. Migration exhaustion could be the cause of his low nutrition. When birds migrate they lose weight. If the little one landed in another Saw-whet Owls territory ( breeding has started for this species) he would be chased out. Finding a comfortable place to hunt and relax is not as easy when resident birds are breeding.



( Photo: A cat got this male American Goldfinch. Cats mouths harbor deadly bacteria. Birds injured by cats need immediate antibiotic treatment if they are to survive.)

American Goldfinches are lovely little members of the finch family. Our most recent American Goldfinch is a brightly colored male. In the spring and summer we admit hundreds of cat caught passerines. This tragedy has an easy "fix" if only cat owners understood the importance of keeping their pet indoors, especially during this sensitive season. Adult birds are often killed while defending their nests or young. In the end it is not one bird killed by a cat, but the entire family if the parent is not longer there to feed babies.



( Photo: Lance Holm examines a Broad-winged Hawk with a wing fracture. )

Broad-winged Hawks travel as far as Argentine for the winter. We admitted an adult male with a broken wing. Broad-winged Hawks are fascinating. They are demure and chunky looking members of the buteo family just as Red-tailed Hawks. This patient likely just arrived from his winter migration when he was hit by a car.



( Photo: This male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker broke his wing, but is comfortable in captivity as he heals. He loves the hang out on a vertical perch and eats tons of waxworms. If you look close you can see a waxworm in his mouth. )

As always it is the public that finds these birds and brings them to us so they can have a second chance at life. Thanks everyone for stepping up and helping the wild ones when they are injured.

I have been occupied with the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill. I will post news articles that ran during the past few days. I am on call to go to help out, but no one knows where the oil will come ashore or when. There are many more unknowns than solid facts at this point. We are organizing to respond when needed.

Going along with that thought. A friend, Ed Clark, posted the warning below on his blog. I will use it because he said it well.

"Many groups are soliciting fund to help oiled wildlife in the Gulf. WATCH OUT! The only group working this spill is Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research. They are being paid by BP! Others claiming to be caring for oiled wildlife are either not telling the truth, or doing something other than removing crude oil from ...feathers! Watch out for predatory fundraisers capitalizing on your compassion!"

Have a great day everyone.

Marge Gibson 2010

Loon Release Photos and Video Is HERE, Along With Release of Red-tailed Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk and Merlin!

What a whirlwind of a week it has been. Less than a week ago Don and I threw a few things into the car along with a Red-tailed Hawk, a Broad-winged Hawk, a Merlin and a very famous Common Loon from Duck Lake and we were off on a fast trip to the Gulf of Mexico. The trip began just for the Loon, but we had several other birds that were ready for release but were not in the right climate. Ordinarily we would hold these birds over for the winter and release them in the spring. That means several months more of captivity for them. Since we we were traveling south, they just hitched a ride with us. To say we had a full car is an understatement.

We released the Red-tailed Hawk in Southern Illinois. Red-tailed Hawks move a bit south in winter. He will have easier hunting in Illinois and will likely be back on his home territory in the spring. He was an adult Red-tailed Hawk from the Rib Lake area. He was hit by a car and came in with a wing fracture on October 16th.

( Photo: Don prepares to release an adult Red-tailed Hawk in Southern Illinois. His hunting will be better in the open farm area than in snowbound and frigid Northern Wisconsin. You can see his photo and story when he was admitted on the blog of October 16th) )

( Photo: Red-tailed Hawk flying on mended wing is free after 2 months in captivity at REGI.)

The Merlin, a beautiful small falcon, was released much further south near the Florida, Alabama line. He was also hit by a car and injured in the fall.

( Photo: Don looks on as I fill the Merlin's crop one last time with beef heart. The next meal was on his own.)

Broad-winged Hawks migrate to Central and South America, but a few stay in Florida. We thought it best this young male bird spend the winter hunting in Florida. Broad-winged hawks have a wide prey base including insects, reptiles and frogs as well as rodents. He was released in an area of Florida where Broad-winged Bawks were reported recently. He and the others will catch the northern migration in April. This hawk left the box so fast I never got a photo. It seems he agreed with our decision to release him.

In less than a week we are home with lots of stories including snowstorms and closed roads in Tennesse. We left many miles behind us. Since it is so late tonight and we are exhauted from traveling I will sign off for tonight and post the loon story tomorrow. I promise it is worth the wait.

Have a good night.
Marge Gibson © 2009

Broad-winged Hawk Needs Trip South, Cedar Waxwings Admitted,

( Photo: This handsome male Broad-winged Hawk should be in Central America by now!)

What do we do when birds are injured on the way south on migration? The answer is it really depends on the kind of bird and how south they need to go before they reach their winter destination. Sometimes we network with wildlife rehabilitators in other states. In the case of passerine birds like robins or bluebirds, once they are have recovered, we can transport them to a state where flocks of their species are still moving through. In many cases the Southern U.S. is their winter destination. That is not going to work for this Broad-winged Hawk however nor for the species of birds that winter in Central or South America.

The young Broad-winged Hawk in the photo above was admitted to REGI in late September. He had a fractured wing. The "kettle" of other Broad-winged Hawks with whom he was migrating, continued on their way. He healed quickly and is now flying. He needs a few weeks of stamina training in the flight building to assure he is back in perfect form however by that time others of his species will be enjoying the weather in Central and South America. He is stuck here in cold Wisconsin. How the heck do we get his there? That is the question.

We could find a private pilot to fly this youngster to Texas or Arizona, but this late in the season, he would be alone. Crossing the International Border into Mexico is not something that we are allowed to do. That limits the options for this youngster. In the end he and many others will "winter-over" with us at REGI. They will rejoin the flocks of returning birds in late spring. Over-wintered birds are kept in a heated area indoors until the weather is acceptable for their particular species. Next fall he will have the chance to travel to distant countries.

Wildlife rehabilitators have to have a strong network of many people from other wildlife rehabilitators, birders, biologists and even pilots to help assure the best success for our patients once they are released.



( Photo: This young Cedar Waxwing was wet and suffering hypothermia when Connie rescued him from the street. )

Connie drove a young Cedar Waxwing over from the Stevens Point area this evening. He was in the street wet and hypothermic when she found him. He had some bad luck earlier in the day but his luck changed when Connie found him and got him help.
Many thanks to her for making a difference for this little one. He is doing much better tonight. While he still prefers to sit by a heat lamp, he is eating and making friends with several other Cedar Waxwing patients currently in care at REGI. He doe4s have a broken wing, but we expect him to make a full recovery.

It is a good thing when we have other patients at REGI of the same species. The stress level of captivity is decreased when they know they are not alone at this place.

I have had questions this past week about Cedar Waxwings. Many appear to be in trouble. In the interest of time I will cut and paste a reply I offered someone that found several Cedar Waxwings in his yard that had died.

>>>>>snip >>>>>
When we find more than one bird in a yard recently dead there are a few things we think of.

Leading the list is:

1. Poisoning or toxin.

Most homeowners that care about wildlife and birds do not use pesticide. That does not preclude your neighbors from using products that are hazardous to birds. Cedar Waxwings eat both insects and berries. Either of which can be either sprayed or somehow "treated" with a toxin in efforts to prevent a fungal problem or parasite.

Even lawn treatments when freshly applied can be mistaken for seed.
The chemical can absorb into the skin of an insect and then be ingested by birds. Many hummingbirds for instance are killed when flowers are treated with powered fungicide which first absorb into the bodies of aphids before hummingbirds eat them. Even a bit of the actual powder can be ingested accidentally.

2. Shootings by neighbors.

We have come across a situation where a youngster has a new b b gun and shoots his neighbors birds. That is particularly true with flocking birds during migration. It is not always visible that the bird has been shot. This is strictly illegal, but unfortunately does occur more often than I want to admit.

3. Intoxication on berries
Odd as it seems berry eating birds can become intoxicated on berries and crab-apples. The temperature changes causes the berry to ferment. Just like fermented berries are used to make wine the same thing happens to the birds when they eat the berries. Simply put they become intoxicated. That condition causes the birds to go into a low metabolic state. If the weather turns unseasonably cold the birds can die as they are unable to get their heart rate up and therefore their body temperature. That does occur and would apply in our recent weather in WI this past week.

Disease is possible but not likely unless the birds are carrying a chronic problem. That can overwhelmed the birds when cold temperatures hit. Low body weight could be an issue in very cold temperatures. Cedar Waxwings have a wide food base so lack of natural food does not usually apply. It was a problem for many species this spring however including all species of swallows, Purple Martins and other insect eating birds. Even Sandhill Cranes colts were affected when their died before they were thermo regulating and after hatch when it was so cold.

Even with WNV we don't find birds grouped together unless it is a family that dies together simply because they refuse to leave each other.

>>>>>snip>>>>>>>>

Hope you found the information helpful.
Have a good night everyone.
Marge Gibson ©2009