Bald Eagle Release
We got the privilege of helping another rehabber with a pre release check up and the release of an adult male bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). This guy was amazing.
Tagged: “raptor”
First Baby Bird of the Season! Great Horned Owl
We told y’all it is baby season. We took in this little guy on Tuesday. Baby great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) approx 7-9 days old in this picture. All charts say this is the point they open their eyes. You can still see the egg tooth that is used to break open the egg when they hatch. Home owner found it Saturday and tried getting it back to mom, but unfortunately that did not work out. Was dehydrated and a touch thin when we got it. Recovering well and devouring food. These owls eat a ton of food as they grow. You can also see the pin feathers starting to come in around the beak and the wing edges.
Cooper’s Hawk Release
Took in this adult female Cooper’s hawk 6 weeks ago. She came in with a broken wing. After giving her time to heal and some physical therapy, she was ready to go back home.
Red-tailed Hawk Released After Being Shot
We were notified January 7, 2018, of a hawk that was shot. We drove over an hour, late at night, in the rain to meet Hunt County Scanner to pick up the hawk. The bird suffered a broken wing and some tissue and muscle damage. After almost two months of care which included resting the wing so it could heal and physical therapy to get the wing strong again, she was finally ready for release. We drove 90 miles to return the hawk to where she came from so she could be reunited with her mate. This is why we do what we do!
Great Horned Owl 2/23/2018
A great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) that a homeowner found in their yard. Thanks to good friends, Mark and Jennifer, for getting the bird to us.
Eastern Screech Owl – Red Phase
A male eastern screech owl (Megascops asio) that came in to the rescue after being found in the road.
Red-tailed Hawk Release
Was a happy release this morning. Got to return this adult male red-tailed hawk back where he came from. The homeowners found this guy in their yard and brought him to us on December 8th. He had an injured wing and was thin. The homeowners have been watching this guy and his mate for a few years. At the end of the video you can see the tree he heads to. After we stopped recording, we noticed the female was already in the tree he landed in. A happy reunion!
Red-tailed Hawk Illegally Shot
*WARNING*
Graphic blood photos
Took in a female red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) that somebody shot in Hunt county. It is illegal to shoot migratory birds, except those with a hunting season during said season. This bird was shot in somebody’s yard, while their children were outside playing in the yard. Shooter pulled over and shot this bird with a rifle from the inside of their vehicle. Vehicle involved was identified but unfortunately no license plate information available. Information has been turned over to US Fish and Game, local Game Warden, and Sheriff’s office.
A HUGE thank you goes out to the home owners and the Hunt County Scanner Facebook page and it’s owners for arranging to get this bird to us. It was an interesting night in the rain. Bird has been to our rehab vet and x-rays were done. We are optimistic this bird will make a full recovery and can be returned to the wild.
EDIT: For those wondering, the bird has a hood on its head to help keep it calm while we are examining it. Hoods are traditionally used for falconry birds, which is a cultural heritage that has been around more than 4,000 years, for that same reason. We have a wide variety of sizes, and these hoods are made a millimeter apart in size.
Meet Mario & Brandi
Mario & Brandi Nickerson have dedicated their lives to the care and well being of all of Nature's creatures. Their tireless efforts go a long way to rehabbing various reptiles and many other types of wildlife.
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