Cindy and Hal

Cindy started working with Hal a few months ago after his caretaker moved away. Eagles can take on new presenters / caretakers, it just takes a little for them to get use to them. Cindy is not one to push training to get it done fast. She likes to take the time to get it done right.

Last night was the first time of putting him on fist. Both took to it as natural as could be. After a little time Hal was comfortable enough to try some preening.

Hal is a Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Disaster survivor. This year is his 20th anniversary with Bird TLC. He was an immature when he arrived and is guessed to be 21 years old.

Best of luck to them both and we can't wait to see you both doing presentations.

Jesses and Leashes

The safety of the bird you're presenting and your audience is very important. It's only as good as your bird gear. As a possible Bird TLC presenter, you're required to complete a lot of training and some of that involves making your own bird gear.

Presenting non-releasable wild birds has a relationship with falconry. One of the things that relates the two is the equipment used. If you're independently wealthy, you can buy your gear at one of the many falconry suppliers throughout the country. Or you may make your own at a fraction of the price.

Cindy scheduled a class and there was a huge response. She got lucky when long time volunteer and master falconer Bob Collins had recently moved closer to Bird TLC and she recruited him to help.The large group was split in two. For half the class we stayed with Cindy or Bob and then switched for the other half.

Cindy taught leashes. There were the braided type (which I wasn't so good at) and the leather type. There are several types depending on the size and type of bird you will present. We have small song birds all the way up to eagles. By the time her shift was over, we all knew how to make both types of leashes. We also learned how to tie the falconers knot. Safety was discussed through out the clinic.

Bobs part was a little more involved. He showed us how to make aylmeri's, jesse's, traditional jesse's and anklets (bracelets). What tools and supplies that are needed and where's the best places to buy your supplies. The types of leathers were also discussed. And again safety was covered.

Everyone had a chance to make all of the different types of bird gear so once they have a bird to present they can make the gear that's right for it. Back up gear is also handy just in case something breaks at the wrong time.

It was a fun class but most importantly it was a very educational class.

All of the links in this post are for the Modern Apprentice by Lydia Ash. This is an excellent site to learn more about bird gear, falconry and falconry equipment..

Wraps and bandages

We're not all veterinarians at TLC. As a matter of fact we only have two who volunteer regularly. The rest of us are salesman, therapist, artist, retired, wives, husbands. etc. So Cindy has hands on training for us as often as she possibly can to get us or keep us up to speed.

This past Thursday we had a class on "Wraps and Bandages". During the weekdays, Cindy would be the person handling the W&B's, but at night or on the weekend you might be the one. So you better know what your doing if you want a happy patient.

This is my second class. I take it about every year. I pick up a lot of birds at night and on weekends, but seldom do they require a wrap or bandage. I still need the practice, training and fun.

Here's hoping that most of us won't need that training, but if we do I think we'll do just fine.

Photo Credit: Ruth Dorsey / Bird TLC

Baby Bird Seminar 2007

Our anual Baby Bird Seminar was this past Saturday. Those who would like to be foster baby bird moms or dads must attend. Everything you ever wanted to know as far as being a foster baby bird parent is covered, plus some.

Every year we are flooded with all types of baby birds that have been orphaned. The amount is too much for Bird TLC to handle, so we farm them out but only to those who attended the seminar that year. The new moms or dads still can call Bird TLC for help, advice, etc. Then they must be brought back for a final check out before they are released.

Best of luck to all the new moms and dads!

A day with Ghost

As part of my training with the Snowy Owl "Ghost", I'm required to observe two presentations from another presenter on the same type of owl. It makes it easy when Cindy has a presentation. She either has to come over to my place and get Ghost, or I deliver him to her. Today I tagged along to Fire Lake Preschool for my second observation.

I enjoy Cindy's presentations. She's a natural. She's very relaxed with bird on fist to the point you wonder if she remembers he's still there or not. She also has great knowledge and is very easy to talk with.
Even though the target audience was very young, their parents were also there and very interested. The kids were well behaved and asked a lot of questions. It's hard to tell by the pictures, but there were a lot in attendance.



Now, the next part is not for those with weak stomachs. It will show my naked head with a few Ghost implanted marks.

When I arrived at Bird TLC, I wanted to weigh Ghost. I opened the back of my truck and turned his kennel so I can open the door. Ghost was way in the back of the kennel and has his feet tangled in his jesses and leash.

Trying to get him untangled, my arm was stretched all the way out to the back of the kennel. I knew better, but I put my head in the door opening to get more reach, but also blocking his exit. Basically I made him feel trapped. So in a split second he jumped with both feet hitting my head and was back to the back of the kennel. After that he was easy to get out of the kennel. As soon as I did, my vision was becoming blocked by blood. So I put him back in the kennel so I could go get medical attention by the Bird TLC Rehabiltation Director, Cindy.

I could only be mad at myself. Ghost was feeling threatened and was protecting himself. We have developed a trusting relationship, but only to a certain degree. He's still a wild bird and will do whatever it takes to protect himself. I stepped over the line blocking his exit. I was trained not to do that again.

By the way, he weighs 3.17 lbs.

More Eagle Handler training

While I was out of town, Todd Boran sent me these pictures of him and Greg MacDonald training with Petra. She seems to be taking to them pretty well. Thanks Todd.

Time to move on

As most of you know, we lost Leslie Landcaster and her daughter in a bad car accident almost 2 months ago. She was the only caretaker and presenter of Petra the bald eagle in Bird TLC's Education Progam. We have 3 other bald eagles in the program. Now we have too many eagles and not enough handlers.

Cindy had members apply for the handler position and decided to have multiple handlers work with Petra. All that applied had not worked with an eagle before and only one has worked with a raptor. From those she selected three.

She also reached into her bag of tricks and got Alex Carter, long time Bird TLC member, eagle handler and trainer to help out. Yesterday was the third class but it was the first day Petra was put on fist since Leslie had done so last. Petra did a fine job however you could tell she was a little lost because she misses her caretaker and there's new people trying to take her place.

At left clockwise; May Bethe, Golden Eagle caretaker and handler. Greg MacDonald, Linda and Todd Boren, Steve Ross in training. Cindy Palmatier, Rehab Director, Alex and Petra.

There's always training.

Tonight we had traditional Jess training. Cindy showed us how to make them and also how to customize them to each bird. The traditional Jess is a single piece of leather that makes up the jess and the anklet (see 1st image at left). This is the type that is used on birds that aren't flighted. They are for tethering or handling only, and not for flying or hunting.

For an excellent description of all types of Jesses, check out
The Modern Apprentice.