Monday, November 3, 2008

This Week at Liberty 11/03/2008

An update this week: The barbed wire owl that Animal Planet filmed has gone through a career change. He has been recruited for the GHO Foster Parent crew and will be teamed with Hogan. Also, a warm thanks to Mike at Koi Acres for donating more "Tri-cide" that's proving so successful in treating bumblefoot in our raptors! 
A few interesting arrivals and treatments this week as more beautiful birds come to us for care...
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The noisy prairie falcon is still in treatment.
A cool hood keeps the bird relatively calm.
Dr.Wyman draws blood while Jan and Toba help hold.
Careful hands take a sample.
The prairie falcon that has been with us for a few weeks now is very slow in recovering.  Her blood was drawn by Dr.Wyman this week and the test shows she is still fighting the aspergillosis that is keeping her down.  Treatment continues and we'll keep you updated.  A hood was used this week to keep her calm while her blood was drawn for testing.
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Dark red eyes of an adult Sharp-shinned hawk.
Every joint is checked.
Arlene and Louise give the small accipiter a thorough exam. 
A beautiful specimen.
A gorgeous little sharp-shined hawk came in last week.  He had been found in a pool and after the people dried him out, he was set free but couldn't seem to fly.  They recaptured him and he ended up at Liberty's facility.  He presented no overt trauma, but obviously has some underlying issues yet to be determined. His diminutive size and dark eyes indicate an adult male, and his feathers are in exceptionally fine condition. 
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Nina in full Halloween costume.
A fine muffle feather.
Last Friday was Halloween and Nina, our biologist/office assistant turned Med Services trainee, did her shift in costume.  Assessing an injured GHO, I got a good shot of the characteristic "muffle feather" on the leading edge of his wing.  This unique structure aids in allowing the owl to fly silently, making them the original "stealth" bombers.
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Sandy feeds a harrier.
A little mouse is a welcomed meal.
A shroud protects the tail while in a brooder.
A good looking northern harrier arrived with an injured wing on Sunday.  X-rays will tell more about the extent of the damage, but in the meantime, food and cage rest is in order.  An old X-ray makes a good tail shroud, protecting fragile tail feathers from damage while in a warm brooder.

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