Search Results

It is always exciting to receive a nestling balk eagle to the centre. It's a scenario that gives us mixed feelings - an immense euphoria being so close to this magnificent bird and a sadness that it has been separated from a natural life. When hatched a nestling is covered with light gray down and is initially wet but dries quickly. Their eyes are brown with pink gape, legs, and skin. They have limited locomotion and when you look at the feet of the nestling you can understand why. The second down begins to emerge at 9–11 days with flight feathers emerging at 2–3 weeks. The body contour feathers begin emerging with the humeral tract at 3–4 weeks. Feathers on its head and back emerge at 4–5 weeks; lateral ventral (underside) surface at 4–6 weeks; and feathering on tarsi (part of the leg of a bird below the thigh) at 6–8 weeks. Both the male and female parents hunt and feed their young. The adult brings food to nest, tears off small pieces, and delivers them to young at early age. The male provides most of food in first 2 weeks, while the female tends the young in the nest. After 3–4 weeks, the female delivers as much prey as male. Within 3–4 weeks, young able to peck at food but not able to tear off food and will feed self until 6 weeks old. Daily weight gain is substantial, with maximum average of 102 grams per day. Unbelievably their maximum growth is attained at about 3–4 weeks of age. When a second chick is hatched in a clutch, signs show a differential growth than the first chick probably due to lack a nutrition. There is continual competition for the food and in some cases fratricide (killing of sibling usually with a boot out of the nest). Mortality is greatest early in the nestling period. If a third egg hatches, the third nestlings rarely receives any food. (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) Many times, when the nestlings arrive and after a thorough examination by our wildlife staff, the prognosis could be a return to the wild. That is why NIWRA exists and when the day comes for release, we all rejoice. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

The presence of this rather tame songster in the backyard setting with its loud and musical voice, makes it one of the most easily recognizable birds in North America. The American Robin is the largest, most abundant, and most widespread North American thrush. The presence of this rather tame songster in the backyard setting, together with its loud and musical voice, makes it one of the most easily recognizable birds in North America. Indeed, “robin red-breast” has been described as “America’s favorite songbird” and its annual arrival in northern latitudes is an early sign of spring. Most people know the robin as a breeding bird of suburbs and farmland, where it forages in moist grass, often tugging at worms on garden lawns, and nests in shade trees. The extent to which the robin ranges across the North American continent and thrives in both suburban and natural habitats is shared with few other species. The diet of the robin is also highly variable, changing from primarily soft invertebrates, especially earthworms, in spring and summer, to primarily fruit in autumn and winter. During the non-breeding season, large flocks of hundreds or thousands of immature and adult birds migrate to lower elevations and latitudes, where they form roosting aggregations from which they track sources of berries. At this time, the birds are more wary than they are when on the breeding grounds. Not all robin populations are migratory, however, some spend the winter months close to their breeding grounds. With a few exceptions, robin populations appear to be increasing or stable throughout North America. Thriving in suburban parks and gardens, the robin has often benefited from urbanization and agricultural development. It is interesting to note that the robin was considered a food delicacy and worthy of “sport” from colonial times through mid-1800s. Large numbers were shot and trapped for sale. Today robins are often hit by vehicles when flying across roads and susceptible to flying into glass windows when flocks feed in vegetation near buildings. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

Those annoying Downy Woodpeckers! Woodpeckers are of the order of Piciformes and the Picidae family and are known for that famous and sometimes annoying knock-knock-knocking on wood. I have always been amazed with woodpeckers and became intimately involved with them during the spring mating season with one pole at the wildlife recovery centre becoming its battering ram all day long. Usually the culprit is the Pileated woodpecker. But as I began to learn more about woodpeckers, I discovered sapsuckers and flickers - all being just as distinct and mystical in their own right. Woodpeckers are of the order of Piciformes and the Picidae family and are known for that famous and sometimes annoying knock-knock-knocking on wood and in my case a tin bowl we placed on top of the pole to protect it. This bird can climb trees vertically which is always a pleasure to watch. The Downy woodpecker is the smallest and one of the most widespread of North American woodpeckers being a year-round resident coast to coast and from the tree line in Canada and Alaska to southern Florida and the meager riparian forests of southern California. It has a high tolerance to live in a variety of habitats and circumstances and be content. Although there is evidence of seasonal movements, these seem to involve only a small fraction of any population. This is more likely a dispersal than migration, and are not well understood. The Downy Woodpecker is equally at home in urban woodlots or wilderness forests and is readily attracted to backyard bird feeders. It is primarily insectivorous, focusing its foraging activities on surfaces, bark crevices, and shallow excavations of trees, shrubs, and woody weeds. Diet and foraging techniques vary with season and sex; indeed, this woodpecker has become a classic illustration of differential niche use by the sexes of a species: Males tend to forage more on smaller branches, females more on larger branches and trunks of trees. The Downy Woodpecker varies geographically in size and plumage colour and pattern, generally paralleling similar variation in the Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus), although not as pronounced. Sexes of adults are easily distinguished by the presence of a red nape bar in males while females lack this. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

Animals have no problem adapting to their surroundings because to them, adaptations mean survival. Humans have the ability to adapt to their surroundings quite easily, for example if it is cold outside we just put a sweater on. Animals have no problem whatsoever to adapt to their surroundings because adaptations to them means survival. Take for instance the five-lined skink which can shed an appendage (its tail) if under attack. The casting off a part of the body (autotomy) is an amazing adaptation which helps the lizard live another day. A predatory snake that grasps hold of the skink's tail is in for a surprise leaving with only a bit sized tail for lunch. There is a long list of adaptations that animals use such as camouflage, mimicry, body coverings, gills, hibernation, defense, locomotion, and migration. The most well known adatpation being camouflage can be seen in the Uroplatus Gecko, while mimicry can play a huge role in survival of animals as well. The Spicebush swallowtail butterfly's young caterpillars resemble bird droppings and no bird wants to eat them. Body coverings or body parts set one species apart from another. The shape of a bird's foot determines whether it is a swimmer, climber, runner, percher, grasper or scratcher. Whiskers on an animal especially around the face can help the animal feel its way through tight spots as well as sense its prey. Large teeth or a large beak determine what an animal eats or be able to acquire the food. For example, a macaw uses its beak to open large nuts. A rhinoceros' hornbill is used to tear meat. Birds with brightly colored feathers are another example of an animal with an adaptive body covering helping with camouflage, defense, and mating. While a peacock's bright colour helps attract a mate, the female's dull motley colour helps her while guarding the nest and protecting her young. Scales have a different purpose than fur or feathers and are mainly used for protection from their environment or another animal, serving a purpose different than that of fur and feathers. Scales help protect the body of the animal in an instance where skin, fur, or feathers would become damaged or destroyed. Really a person could write a book about adaptations. I find it the most fascinating subject when speaking about animals. Each animal was created with an adaptation that helps in their survival in almost any part of the world. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

What causes Hair Loss Syndrome (HLS) in Black-tailed deer? This syndrome is caused by a heavy infestation of the Eurasian louse. In the spring, black-tailed deer show signs of hair loss syndrome (HLS) which is caused by a heavy infestation of the Eurasian louse. Normally affecting the European and Asian deer, the black-tailed deer have become infested and tend to develop a hypersensitivity reaction to the lice. This causes yellow or white patches along their sides. The lice cause an irritation of the skin and excessive grooming by the deer leads to loss of the guard hairs. Deer become heavily infested during winter and early spring and many die during this time, especially fawns. Deer that do survive will re-grow their hair and gain weight again during the summer. Another study concluded that Deer Hair Loss Syndrome (DHLS) is called a syndrome, not a disease, because the cause and method of transmission are not completely understood. The syndrome is most common in black-tailed and Columbian white-tailed deer. Common symptoms include yellow or white appearing hair or bare patches of skin. At first, some deer have darkening or almost black patches of fur. Later, deer may appear emaciated and lethargic, and exhibit excessive loss of hair. These deer often have a heavy infestation of muscle worms that contribute to their sickness. Poor immune function also may be a contributing factor (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife). Normally moulting of hair of a healthy deer happens twice per year in the spring and late summer. The distribution of hair loss is usually patchy and the deer tends to look scruffy until the moult is complete. A normal moult can be distinguished from disease conditions of the skin by the presence of a normal appearing coat beneath the moulting hair. Captive deer have been treated with medication for DHLS but there is not practical method of treating deer in the wild. There are no known cases of humans, pets or livestock contracting DHLS from affected deer. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

~Wildlife education: preventing cat attacks.~ This poor bird didn't have a chance. Even well fed, pampered cats will hunt and kill. Every year, domestic and feral cats kill between 100 million and 350 million birds in Canada. Cat attacks are the primary reason for bird admittances to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (NIWRA). Bacteria found in the saliva and mouth of a cat can cause swift and fatal septicemia (infection in the bloodstream) in birds and small animals. Nesting birds are particularly vulnerable to cat attacks. How can you help? · Keep your pet inside or have someone handy build an outdoor enclosure fit for a feline king or queen. · Get your cat a cat bib to help prevent bird attacks. Sold under names like "Birdsbesafe", cat bibs are brightly colored to alert potential prey to a cat's presence before it can pounce. A contented cat enjoys the outdoors without causing harm. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!

~Update on our resident Peregrine falcon~ Patrick, our resident Peregrine falcon, was brought into NIWRA by a falconer because the bird experienced seizures when working, so he had to retire. Since he was born in captivity, he cannot be released. Patrick is a shy but handsome fellow. Peregrine falcons were very close to extinction at one time because of the contamination of their prey animals by DDT, a pesticide that was sprayed on crops. The DDT entered the falcon through their food chain and resulted in infertile eggs or thin-shelled eggs that were easily crushed. After DDT was banned in Canada, falcon populations started to increase. Peregrine falcons capture their prey by “dive-bombing” from great heights, often at speeds over 300 km per hour! They are the fastest of all birds and animals (yes, even faster than a cheetah). This diving is called “stooping”. Their eyes are protected by a third eyelid called a nictitating membrane and their lungs are protected from the air pressure by structures in their nostrils called tubercles which act as a baffle for air entering their lungs at high speeds. Come and visit Patrick the next time you are at NIWRA, but know he is a bit shy. You can help the wildlife in care at NIWRA by making a financial contribution on our secure website. Thank you so much for caring about wildlife!