Expert advice

We had a wonderful visit from a wildlife rehabilitator and expert falconer from Atlanta, Georgia last week.  She and her husband (Debbie and Brandon) were spending a few days at Asa Wright Nature Centre (a birders paradise located 8 miles from our home).  They came to hear about Mortimer (thanks Peter O'Conner) and were delighted to come for a visit.  We were so excited to have them!

Debbie did a thorough check of Mortimer and showed us certain things to look for with regards to his craw (where his food is first stored) and his chest (where you can feel a certain bone that can indicate proper growth) and his blood feathers and his diet and his environment and so much information she shared!  Debbie says he is doing great and the set up we have here at home is ideal because our windows are unscreened and opened so when he is ready to fly he may start with perching on the window ledge and then can easily come and go as he pleases.  She also suggested to start blocking him off (with a towel or something) whenever we bring food so he can stop the association of humans as a food provider.  And she said to start putting food in one designated place for him so that he can always know to come back there for food (which was different from what we have heard before that the first time he flies out we may have to bring food to him wherever he is).... Time shall tell with that one.  But his eyes are clear and his feathers are growing beautifully and he is preening and eating and stretching and flapping so we got an A on bird parenthood thus far :)!!  

We also learned about slicing and casting.....no, these are not just golf and fishing terms.  Slicing is how falconers refer to a bird pooping and casting is the important event of regurgitating a pellet of indigestible material.  We have not noticed the casting process as yet so it's something to look out for as it also helps to clean out his tracts and help him stay healthy.

It was such a special treat to have these knowledgeable visitors and to hear of all the work they have done in rehabbing thousands of birds and animals.  Debbie currently is part of a medieval dinner experience and works as the king's falconer to soar her falcon over the heads of diners and give them a swooping, diving and catching show at which to ooh and aah!!  The chance to earn money of course peaked Kahlil's interest and he is still hoping we can keep Mortimer as he loves the thought of walking around with a hawk on his shoulder.  We have heard of a falconer in Tobago and we hope to spend a day with him to get some more first hand experience of what it is really like to have a full grown bird of prey in your care.  I myself will be happy to see Mortimer survive on his own but oh how I would love for him to come back and visit our yard every once in a while!

Many thanks to Debbie and Brandon for their visit with us!