The SAILs hosted a raptor demonstration this weekend - an exciting way to finish our work on the Birds and Raptors honors. We met outdoors with members and families of the SAILs as well as some visitors from the Dripping Springs Pathfinder Club to observe and learn about raptors and other meat-eating birds. The team from Wildlife Revealed brought a pair of Australian Laughing Kookaburras, an Augur Buzzard (an African red-tailed hawk), a Barbary Falcon (an African variant of the peregrine falcon), a Eurasian Eagle Owl, and a very clever White Necked Raven.
We learned that the Kookaburra coughs up pellets of undigestible material, just like the raptors. The Augur Buzzard was still in training, but would fly between perches (though with a line tied to its leg), enticed by some raw chicken. The Barbary Falcon was still recovering, so was not flying, but we did learn that the characteristic malar stripe on the peregrines and other falcons acts similar to the the dark matte eye black used by sports players to reduce glare. The Eurasian Eagle Owl was well trained, and flew between perches without any line. Despite its massive size, it was a mere 5 pounds, a good reminder that birds have hollow bones and a lot of feathers, so they are much lighter than their size may suggest. The final bird was the White Necked Raven, which likes to hide things (apparently stashing food and items around its handler's house), so they trained it to collect tips from guests to stuff in the tip box.
Throughout the presentation, the Pathfinders learned many things about raptors, from the way black vultures let the turkey vultures find prey to the way crested caracara interact with vultures to when red-tailed hawks normally get their characteristic red tails. The Pathfinders had an opportunity to ask questions and to see the birds up close, marveling at their eyes, talons, beaks, and patterned feathers. Everyone was excited and had a great time, and we appreciated the excellent presentations by the folks from Wildlife Revealed.
We learned that the Kookaburra coughs up pellets of undigestible material, just like the raptors. The Augur Buzzard was still in training, but would fly between perches (though with a line tied to its leg), enticed by some raw chicken. The Barbary Falcon was still recovering, so was not flying, but we did learn that the characteristic malar stripe on the peregrines and other falcons acts similar to the the dark matte eye black used by sports players to reduce glare. The Eurasian Eagle Owl was well trained, and flew between perches without any line. Despite its massive size, it was a mere 5 pounds, a good reminder that birds have hollow bones and a lot of feathers, so they are much lighter than their size may suggest. The final bird was the White Necked Raven, which likes to hide things (apparently stashing food and items around its handler's house), so they trained it to collect tips from guests to stuff in the tip box.
Throughout the presentation, the Pathfinders learned many things about raptors, from the way black vultures let the turkey vultures find prey to the way crested caracara interact with vultures to when red-tailed hawks normally get their characteristic red tails. The Pathfinders had an opportunity to ask questions and to see the birds up close, marveling at their eyes, talons, beaks, and patterned feathers. Everyone was excited and had a great time, and we appreciated the excellent presentations by the folks from Wildlife Revealed.
After the raptor demonstration (and some pizza), the Junior Unit completed their work on our new club knot board, while the senior unit researched and planned a new display about the Moths and Butterflies honor, the next one we will be working on this year. All in all it was a great day, and a fun way to round out the month. Just two more months this Pathfinder year!
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