Friend of the feather (NJ)

[Donna]

Dr. David Bainbridge introduced the Morris Area Garden Club to a couple of his special friends.

Dr. Bainbridge DVM of Morris Veterinary Clinic brought his Peregrine Falcon, Nijji Benay, (which means “Feathered Friend�), and Military Macaw Parrot, Charlie.

Nijji Benay was found on the Target building in Plainfield with a broken wing two years ago. He was brought to Dr. Bainbridge for rehabilitation. He cannot be released back into the wild due to his disabled wing.

Peregrine Falcons are the elite raptor of the birds of prey. It has the most maneuverability and is the fastest animal on the planet.

The Falcon can dive at 200 mph and is a bird eater. It has a wing span of 36 inches and can live 15 to 17 years in captivity, less in the wild. The Falcon can be  found on every continent except the  Antarctic.

Dr. Bainbridge said that Falcons like cliffs, so big cities are ideal for them due to the height of the buildings. Their favorite meal is pigeon or dove. They have a third eyelid to protect their eyes while diving.

Falcons do not attack people except to defend their territory, which can be several miles.

At two and a half year old, Nijji Benay lives in a 7-by-7-by-6 enclosure called a Mew, which has a plastic liner to protect his feathers. He does go outside in summer.  He eats four quail, two mice and one baby chick per week, which are all frozen. Dr. Bainbridge does not feed him live animals.

Nijji Benay also receives a vitamin supplement.

In the 1940s, 50s and 60s, pesticides, especially DDT, almost depleted birds of prey, Dr. Bainbridge said. DDT interferes with calcium, which causes egg shells to fail.

In 1970, there were only four pairs left east of the Mississippi.  There was a world-wide decimation, and Falcons were put on the endangered species list. DDT was banned.

Private, local, state and federal action was taken to breed and reintroduce the Falcon to the wild.  The birds were placed in wooden boxes, devoid of human contact (called hacking) so they could be released into the wild. Today, there are approximately 3,000 to 5,000 pairs in the U.S.  In August 1999, the Peregrine Falcon was “de-listed,â€� but is still protected.

Charlie is a 12-year old Military Macaw Parrot that Dr. Bainbridge received from someone who gave her up.

The Spix  Macaw is the latest bird to be placed on the endangered species list. There are about 15 to 20 left in the world due to the greed of collectors and the depletion of forestry in South America’s Amazon.

Clay licks, found along Amazon river banks, have a high concentration of deposits of minerals that are necessary for Macaws’ and parrots’ diets, but are disappearing. Macaws and parrots eat the clay to neutralize the effects of toxic fruits and seeds that they eat.

Macaw Parrots can live 30 to 60 years. Charlie eats 50 percent pellets, 25 percent seeds and nuts, and 25 percent fruits and vegetables.

Dr. Bainbridge said it is illegal to keep wild animals without a permit. They are not domesticated and people eventually have to give them up. They probably won’t survive if released back into the wild.  It’s cruel to the animal and most will be destroyed.

It is a federal crime to keep a Falcon. The laws are not lenient. Keeping a Falcon without a permit is as serious as smuggling animals from a foreign country. The fines are hefty and imprisonment is definite.

[valhalla]

Look like you have to join the Garden Club (or become a vet assistent) 

[Donna]

Look like you have to join the Garden Club (or become a vet assistent)