"Pay Attention, Please!"
3 Rs of Raptor Rehabilitation
1. Rapid Recovery- intervention needs to begin within the first 24 to 48 hrs.
2. Rehabilitation-the raptor is given every chance to recover from injuries or is old enough to survive on it's own.
3. Release- the raptor is released back into the wild.
2. Rehabilitation-the raptor is given every chance to recover from injuries or is old enough to survive on it's own.
3. Release- the raptor is released back into the wild.
You found a baby raptor.....what next?
First look around and try spot a parent. If you spot an adult bird, leave the baby alone.
If the baby is in danger from automobiles or dogs and you feel the need to intervene you will have to move quickly. Use a clean cardboard box, place it on the ground and try to back the baby into it. If this doesn't work you can drop a jacket or beach towel over them and wrap them up, paying careful attention to their feet.
Don't put a bowl of water down; they will not drink it.
Don't feed them bacon, ham. chicken, turkey, or beef from the grocery store.
Get the orphan to a licensed raptor rehabilitator as quickly as possible.
First look around and try spot a parent. If you spot an adult bird, leave the baby alone.
If the baby is in danger from automobiles or dogs and you feel the need to intervene you will have to move quickly. Use a clean cardboard box, place it on the ground and try to back the baby into it. If this doesn't work you can drop a jacket or beach towel over them and wrap them up, paying careful attention to their feet.
Don't put a bowl of water down; they will not drink it.
Don't feed them bacon, ham. chicken, turkey, or beef from the grocery store.
Get the orphan to a licensed raptor rehabilitator as quickly as possible.
An injured raptor! What should I do?
An injured raptor is in great distress. Their world is malfunctioning as a result of their injury. Their responses may be exaggerated and uncoordinated. You could get hurt.
Drop a beach towel, a blanket, or a jacket over them. Give the bird a few seconds to calm down. Then gently wrap them up, paying careful attention to their feet. You can use a clean cardboard box if one is a available.
DO NOT PUT THE BIRD IN ANY TYPE OF WIRE CAGE .
Don't put down a bowl of water. It will only make a mess.
Don't try to feed the bird.
Get the raptor as quickly as possible to a federally and state licensed raptor rehabilitator. Your local animal control may be able to help locate a rehabber.
An injured raptor is in great distress. Their world is malfunctioning as a result of their injury. Their responses may be exaggerated and uncoordinated. You could get hurt.
Drop a beach towel, a blanket, or a jacket over them. Give the bird a few seconds to calm down. Then gently wrap them up, paying careful attention to their feet. You can use a clean cardboard box if one is a available.
DO NOT PUT THE BIRD IN ANY TYPE OF WIRE CAGE .
Don't put down a bowl of water. It will only make a mess.
Don't try to feed the bird.
Get the raptor as quickly as possible to a federally and state licensed raptor rehabilitator. Your local animal control may be able to help locate a rehabber.
"Did you know that nobody gets a paycheck for taking care of us? These folks have to beg for every dollar!! Why do they have to beg? I 'm looking at you!
Why? "
Why? "
Decided not to call a rehabilitator?
Decided it is in your own self interest to keep the baby raptor? They are cute. They would be great to show off to your friends. There are a hundred selfish reasons why people inflict cruelty on orphaned or injured raptors.
If you're going to keep the bird it must be fed fresh killed, not live, food daily(figure 3-4 mice daily). The volume of food must be increased as the bird gets older. Remember grocery store meats will not work. Most raptors live about 25 years so you will need a long term plan.
The raptor will have to be weighed daily. Weights are the best indicator of health. You will need to have a good sensitive and accurate scale. Also weight charts will have to be kept along with temperature data.
A flight pen will have to be constructed at least 20' x 20'. Fresh water needs to be available. No pressure treated wood allowed as it is toxic. The flight will have to have protection from the weather but allow sunlight. Remember the 25 year lifespan.
It's obvious you won't be able to hide the bird for long as people will see your flight pen so here is a did you know?
Did you know it's against state and federal law for you to possess this bird? Did you know representatives from either agency can enter your premises without a warrant and without knocking? Did you know the penaties are stiff?
Get the raptor to a rehabber. If you want to rehabiliatate wildlife there are training programs available. It takes about 2 years (an apprenticeship) to become proficient. It takes no time to be ignorant and incompetent so you can cripple and maim raptors.
If you're going to keep the bird it must be fed fresh killed, not live, food daily(figure 3-4 mice daily). The volume of food must be increased as the bird gets older. Remember grocery store meats will not work. Most raptors live about 25 years so you will need a long term plan.
The raptor will have to be weighed daily. Weights are the best indicator of health. You will need to have a good sensitive and accurate scale. Also weight charts will have to be kept along with temperature data.
A flight pen will have to be constructed at least 20' x 20'. Fresh water needs to be available. No pressure treated wood allowed as it is toxic. The flight will have to have protection from the weather but allow sunlight. Remember the 25 year lifespan.
It's obvious you won't be able to hide the bird for long as people will see your flight pen so here is a did you know?
Did you know it's against state and federal law for you to possess this bird? Did you know representatives from either agency can enter your premises without a warrant and without knocking? Did you know the penaties are stiff?
Get the raptor to a rehabber. If you want to rehabiliatate wildlife there are training programs available. It takes about 2 years (an apprenticeship) to become proficient. It takes no time to be ignorant and incompetent so you can cripple and maim raptors.
