Let's Talk About Raptors

No, not velociraptors.

No, not even philosoraptors.

Let's talk about raptor raptors. You know, birds of prey. You have no idea how many times I have to specify to people when I tell them I work with raptors. "Velociraptors?!" "Yes, velociraptors. Did you know we have a secret velociraptor rehabilitation center in southern Wisconsin?" *sigh* To clarify: raptors are birds of prey that are primarily distinguished from other birds of prey (such as robins) by the fact that they hunt with their talons. Hawks, owls, eagles, and falcons are the primary raptors.

As many of you know, I spent almost three years working at magnificent placed called SANC (the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center). Though I study English literature and creative writing, birds have always been my passion, as many of my friends will already know (I am the “bird nerd” after all). Since moving to England I've desperately missed working with the birds. When my college hosted a Harry Potter themed Hall, they brought live owls to the dinner. Awesome, right?! The birds were from The Raptor Foundation, so I knew I had to make a trip out there. I contacted them about volunteering, and they told me to come visit and talk to the trainers. So I did.

I saw a live flight show, which was pretty awesome I must say. The trainer had a spotted owl on a creance, followed by a free-flown hawk. He put the hawk up on a tower across the field, then went and stood up on another tower. The hawk flew back and forth between the two.

Next he opened one of the mews behind us and a hybrid owl flew out. It was the most relaxed owl I've ever seen in a show. It walked around on the ground and the benches around it, it flew right over them!

It seemed very comfortable with the trainer and vice versa. When it was time for the owl to go back into its mew, the trainer just walked away, leaving the owl sitting on the benches with us. When the owl didn't follow him right away, the trainer called for it, and it took off, flying in between all of the mews until it hopped into its own. Now that's what I call training!

Next the trainer took out a young falcon and he demonstrated how a lure is used in falconry to train the birds. At one point the falcon flew on top of one of the mews. Apparently this is his favorite hangout spot, but usually he's too “chicken” to come down, or so the trainer claimed. :) 

They were training the birds with chick legs, a less messy, though slightly creepier (IMO) version of our rat tidbits. Though I can't decide if having chicken legs hanging out of your pockets is more or less classy than mouse tails. For another time...

Though I enjoyed the show, one element I thought was lacking was their presentation skills. The program didn't seem very organized, and the trainer told us nothing about the bird itself--both it's personal details and about the species. Though it was entertaining, it was seriously lacking an education side. That's one reason why I think SANC's program is so successful: the trainers know their stuff inside and out, and if they don't they're very willing to learn. Education of the public is a major goal in the SANC program and I think it's a very relevant and necessary one.

After the show I wandered around the center looking at their massive collection of non-releasable raptors. It was great being able to see some birds I've never seen before.

I got to talk to the trainers about the way their program works. They have about six times as many birds as SANC but about a third (or less) of the volunteers. I have no idea how they run the place, but they seem to be doing well. I was a little disappointed in their volunteer scheme. A volunteer doesn't get to start handling birds until a few months into the program. 

One of the elements I really appreciated in the SANC raptor program is that you're usually handing a bird on your first or second day working. I think it's a great way for a volunteer to see if she's really bird person. It also works as great encouragement for volunteers to keep coming back. After having so much experience working with birds and also having an incredibly busy schedule, it would be hard for me to justify a one-hour, two-bus trip ride to the center (and that repeated on the way back) if it's months before I get to even hold a kestrel. Still debating volunteering there; we'll have to see...

In other, more relevant news: In September I will be doing a two week internship at Eagles Flying, the Irish Raptor Research Centre in Sligo, Ireland. And, even better, most of the excursion will be covered by a St. John's College travel grant! Success!

I'm really excited about learning about Irish raptor education and training. The Raptor Foundation has showed me that raptor training varies across the pond, and I'm intrigued to learn some new techniques from the Irish. On top of that, I'll be able to work with the birds right away. I can't wait to handle some new birds; I'm hoping I get to hold my first eagle!

I'll have an awesome post up at the end of September about my time at Eagles Flying. In the meantime, I'm counting down the days until I get back to SANC and hang out with my feathered (and non-feathered) friends at the center.