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 

The Passing of Clarence our Northern Goshawk

( Photo: Clarence as a fledgling having just finished a meal.)



(Photo: Clarence during his molt to adult plumage. He was almost fully slate gray when he died. )



( Photo: Our beautiful Northern Goshawk, Clarence passed away. He is pictured with staff rehabilitator Alberta. )

We have sad news today. Our Northern Goshawk affectionately known as Clarence after my late father, passed away.

It is a sad day when we lose member of the REGI family. Our education birds are members of the REGI team. From the day they arrive at REGI they are treated with respect and gentle affection. That is wonderful thing for all of us. Our gentle handling is rewarded when they become the wonderful, calm and inquisitive education birds.

Losing an education bird and team member however is difficult for everyone at REGI.

Clarence came to us when just a baby. He was captive bred by Dale and Jim Kitzman in Oak Creek, WI. Kitzman Goshawks are well known in falconry circles and recognized as superior birds. A few years back we helped the female goshawk that would one day be Clarence's mom, through West Nile Virus. We were elated to give Clarence a permanent home as an educational bird.

Northern Goshawk occur naturally in our region, however they are not often seen because of their secretive ways. They are spectacular birds and when adults have slate gray plumage and red eyes. The Northern Goshawk population is in decline through-out their normal range. For those reasons being able to have this magnificent species represented in REGI public education programs was all the more important.

Clarence was only three years old when he died suddenly. We were shocked to find he had died just minutes after I last saw him alive and peering from the window in his mew. Most of our education birds live long lives with us at REGI. Clarence's young age made his passing even harder to understand. The preliminary necropsy report indicated that he died of a sudden heart arrhythmia. He was in perfect feather and body condition with no other obvious sign of disease of illness.



( Photo: Clarence as a youngster.)

We will miss our handsome Clarence and we know our audiences will as well.

Marge Gibson 2009