They better band it soon before it hops out of that box!

Very cute!  We have BB babies in one of our boxes right now too-born this past Sunday! 

Wild and crazy!! 

 

Baby looks like she's wearing an ermine coat!

That's the pic!  Thanks-love it!

Same thing happened in Jersey City two years ago.  We released the fledgling with the hairline fracture about three weeks after the injured bird was discovered.  The juveniles were still being fed and the bird went off from the nestbox.  Both parents were there to greet the fledgling and escort it into the skies to be with the rest of the family.  The other bird to go down from the same hatch group had a seriously broken wing.  It was healed three months later and on Oct. 29 we released it from the nestbox.  The parents attacked the juvenile.  It was far too late for a young one to be around.  We are hopeful that the juvie made it out of town OK.

My point is that Madness should be just fine.

Let's hope-she's been through so much in her young life. 

Chad + Chris   
Tue Jul 10 2012

Laura reported that Madness has healed so well that she can’t even feel a difference from one wing to the other. She’s making short flights in the small flight cage and has been very responsive to food, showing no problems eating in captivity. So, now comes the tough thing… finding the best option for her release.

After much discussion between us, DOW, and Laura, we all have come to the agreement that the #1 option would be for Madness to be hacked out for release. The problem with this is that we don’t have a local hack tower and process in place and they are overloaded with birds and can’t take her at the University of Minnesota Raptor Center. Option #2 would be for her to be placed with a falconer, who would hunt her and release her as she progresses and shows an ability to kill consistently on her own. Laura is checking with a couple falconers who might be interested, although it’s very up in the air at the moment. The third option that it might come down to is giving Madness another shot at fostering. We decided that if this is the only option available we would release her back at Hilliard. Of course, it’s a bit of a gamble, as the time span since her injury may impede their acceptance of her as the lone juvie there, Turbo is now “hit or miss� around the bridge area, as he’s beginning to go out hunting with Titan and on his own-- he’ll be way ahead of Madness. On the positive side, we now have the ability to use a lift truck so that we can get her up closer to the nest, and “soft release� her instead of forcing her to fly from the top of the bridge without knowing where to go. As of now, we’re preparing for this option in hopes of releasing her on Monday, since time is of the essence and the lift truck need to be reserved in advance and is only useable Monday through Thursday. If this is the option that we go with, I’ll post about it right away. Chad and I will be able to be around for the beginning of the week and hopefully we’ll be able to see if there’s a problem. Of course, we’ll still take as many sets of eyes as are willing at this site… Liz, Christa, Patrick, and any others who have observed this site over the years, please post about any sightings of Turbo leading up to Monday, and let us know if you’re seeing any behaviors of concern.

Chad and I saw Turbo Sunday, and he was still food begging and chasing adults, so at least we know that he’s not getting too close to independence. It would be good to know about him, as it seems the adults are more likely to accept another juvie when they are still caring for one. In fact, I think I saw you leaving tonight, Patrick, as I was coming by for a late check (around 8PM). Didn’t stay long, but I didn’t see Turbo; did you while you were there?

So, once again, we’ll post about this and try to keep the information current here. We really want Madness to make it! Thanks, everyone for your support.

That's too bad.    I couldn't watch the video cuz it said my computer didn't support it. Double bummer! 

I couldn't watch the video either! 

I read this afternoon that it had died. So sad for the little one. 

Update on S2 (Google translation)


S2 in the final phase of its rehabilitation process

Gemert, Sunday, July 8, 2012

In recent months, S2 in peace can still recover and moult her feathers which in part is again renewed. We are still waiting to moult all over and then she goes to the falconer for the last phase of her rehabilitation process. This will back the falcon 'in condition' be charged. For birds of prey to catch their prey is essential. For seed eaters or scavengers such as a hawk is in rehabilitation in this final stage usually suffice greater uitwenvolière which they called for their kind sufficient condition can build up again independent of food to arrive. But species such as goshawk, sparrowhawk and peregrine for their rehabilitation forced longer time spent in captivity is an aviary, how large, therefore, insufficient to be able to come back condition. They must be in top condition for their prey to get. It just releasing these birds almost certainly lead to starvation and is therefore irresponsible.

The only method to such birds are in condition to bring falconry method is called. Falconers hunt because such birds in top condition for this to be a prey to arrive. The techniques they use for that are centuries old.

The first step is to tame a bird or 'sea' it. The falconer must gain the confidence of the falcon. Although today their falconers birds they were breeding earlier by falconers from the wild-caught seafood and had therefore to be made. In a period of several weeks 'carries' the bird or the falconer very intensive which the bird is fed by the falconer. After some time, overcomes the bird's natural aversion, and then realizes that for which the food is dependent on the falconer. That is the moment to the falcon acquainted with the lure, an artificial prey to a line can be rotated and a piece of bait that can be confirmed. Every time the hawk lurking these 'stores' is rewarded with bait. Initially done inside and the falcon itself still leashed, but once there is sufficient confidence with the falconer and getting used to wait outside the falcon is built may be left loose. From that moment the falcon daily lurking fly. And since then they end up getting rewarded they will be more motivated to that address. From that moment the condition of the bird leaps forward. Then comes the skill of the falconer in handy. That must wait a falcon ever faster growing faster. The trick is to wait for the falcon as flat as possible by turning it up so motivated to maximize effort. A peregrine once on condition that goes with enormous speed and requires very good timing of the falconer.

As soon as the falcon in this way is placed on the condition, it will again be able to independently to capture prey, and the falcon can be released. Once the hawk has caught its first prey and devours it will no longer have the incentive to the falconer to come or wait to save her because she has food inside. That was the great fear of the former falconers with wild-caught falcons hunted. Once beyond their sight a prey would hit and went to eat is indeed no longer dependent on the falconer and will not be to him or to wait. The falconer must then hope that the next day there was again that stimulus and then try to get the bird back. Saves the falcon but for a second time out of his sight a prey very quickly, the likelihood is smaller that the falconer's bird ever again can capture. The bird quickly realizes that he can catch prey on her own and no longer dependent on the falconer. The bird is then in a few days time completely bewildered.

S2 will undergo training in the coming time above. An additional exciting moment for me is when they first go outside will be flown to the lure. At that time we will really know if her wing has been restored so that they can fly again good or unexpected that those irreparably damaged.

We will keep you informed.

VWG Gemert

Back in  2008, Baron Von Pefa interviewed one in the course of a crime investigation.

Paul

Cool!  I still have my Baron Von Pefa!

Very unique looking Pigeon!

Nice! 

Great pics by Ann! Thanks for sharing!

Looks like B has lunch stashed by main cam...and another snack for after that. She does not like leaving Baby to hunt during the work week.

No sign of DC today? He usually baby sits in the afternoon to give B a break. 

He delivered lunch and sat with baby from behind main cam for an hour or so this afternoon. I don't remember if it was the 14:03 lunch or the 15:21...

I saw the closeup of someone by the main cam but thought it was Beauty. Good to know-thanks.

Looks like B has lunch stashed by main cam...and another snack for after that. She does not like leaving Baby to hunt during the work week.

No sign of DC today? He usually baby sits in the afternoon to give B a break.