Happy Holidays- 25 days of ambassador posts! The holidays are here, and whether you celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, Yule, Solstice, Hanukkah, Festivus, or another holiday, we have been feeling and spreading the love. Each day we will feature one of our wild animal ambassadors, their story and how they help their species. You can adopt one of our ambassadors by sponsoring their care, a perfect treat for yourself or gift for one that you love. A link with more info can be found at the bottom of this post. Day 25- Bianca our female barred owl was brought to Center for Wildlife in 1991, after she was hit by a car. She suffered a permanent injury on her wrist. Byron came to us in 2007, after he had been hit by a car and suffered a permanent injury on his elbow. Birds have hollow bones, and when fractures occur on a joint, it essentially freezes the joint for ever. Since everything needs to be working in perfect order in order for wild animals to hunt, get away from predators, and move seasonally as needed, Bianca and Byrons injuries make them permanent residents; unable to care for themselves in the wild. With an inability to sustain flight they would perish in the wild in days. Barred owls (often mistakenly heard as barn owl) are year-round residents of our region, with the only larger resident being the great horned owl. They get their name from the brown and white barring across their chests. This camouflage is perfect for their habitat- mixed woodlands. They prefer living in wooded wetland areas with vernal pool habitats where there are lots of frogs and salamanders: their main staple of prey spring through summer. If you go to places where you can hear lots of frogs in the springtime, you can likely hear barred owls calling (generally early April and late fall is when they are most vocal). If you practice your who cooks for you, who cooks for you allllll call, you may even have a chance to converse with one of these vocal owls. Bianca is our oldest raptor ambassador, and taught Kristen and others how to handle and establish a relationship with these majestic creatures. She is patient and seems to understand that we are caring for her and doesnt pay volunteers much mind when they go to feed them. She enjoys walking in the forest, spying on her neighbor Freyja, and peering out to the forest and calling much of the year. She has literally introduced hundreds of thousands of people to the wonder of her species, and we are always honored by the audible intake of air from the audience due to her beauty. Byron immediately fell in love with Bianca (of course!) and the two of them are most often sitting side by side, feather to feather. He will puff up in protection of himself and Bianca at an unfamiliar face. The two of them not only teach children but also young barred owlets that come into the clinic. They act as foster parents and have a nest box in their enclosure to raise young that will be returned to the wild. They have taught over 40 barred owlets what their species looks like, who to breed with, what the calls sound like, how to be afraid of people, and much more were sure. Byron loves calling as well, and an owl prowl at Center for Wildlife is never boring thanks to these two. We love you Bianca and Byron!!! To adopt Bianca and Byron and sponsor their care for a year, visit: yorkcenterforwildlife.org/adopt.htm
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 16:26:15 +0000
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