If you are interested in seeing other Raptors from Raptors Ridge go to Amsterdam Greenhouse Center Saturday March 17th at 10:30am! It's free to see them up close! If you have older children interested in Owls you will want to go and see Kim and Karen as they may have some opportunity for them.
Owls are amazing animals and we learned so many amazing facts. Did you know that Owls are found on all continents except Antarctica? They can fly silently through the air. Their ears are not exactly across from each other so they can triangulate where a sound is coming from. Have you ever wondered why Owls can move their heads so far around unlike us? Well its because they can not move their eyeballs like we can so they have to move their heads to see from side to side. And did you know that Owls are the only birds with their eyes facing forward like ours?
#1 is cars! People throw garbage out of their cars. How does this affect Owls? Well, it is what the garbage (especially biodegradable) attracts. The garbage attracts mice and what do Owls eat... MICE. So when they swoop down to catch the mouse/rodent they get hit cars :(
#2 is rat poison! People use poison to get rid of rodents, but who eats the rodents... Owls do. An alternative is traps for the rodents.
Owls are amazing animals and we learned so many amazing facts. Did you know that Owls are found on all continents except Antarctica? They can fly silently through the air. Their ears are not exactly across from each other so they can triangulate where a sound is coming from. Have you ever wondered why Owls can move their heads so far around unlike us? Well its because they can not move their eyeballs like we can so they have to move their heads to see from side to side. And did you know that Owls are the only birds with their eyes facing forward like ours?
We also learned what the most common causes that have put Owls on the "Watch List" for endangered animals:
#1 is cars! People throw garbage out of their cars. How does this affect Owls? Well, it is what the garbage (especially biodegradable) attracts. The garbage attracts mice and what do Owls eat... MICE. So when they swoop down to catch the mouse/rodent they get hit cars :(
#2 is rat poison! People use poison to get rid of rodents, but who eats the rodents... Owls do. An alternative is traps for the rodents.
What do you do if you ever see a Raptor in need of help. Phone a wildlife rescue number to let them know so trained people can help them. Kim from Raptors Ridge with several others just recently saved a Bald Eagle. Kim said the most important thing the lady did to save this bird was to keep an eye from a distance so the rescuers could come and find it. Covering the bird with a blanket will keep it calm.
Video on Stomper: http://youtu.be/Fg-Vf7XvFxw
Video on Owl Joke: http://youtu.be/VSzgO2fTru0
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| Stomper stretching her wings! |
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| Zippy showing off his pretend eyes at the back to scare off predators! |
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| When Zippy was found his right wing was crushed and had to be removed. Now he is an Educational Owl. |
After Spring Break we still have some Owl Pellets (from Raptors Ridge) to dissect!!! Thank you to Nicolas' Mom and Dad for sending in gloves and gowns for us to wear like real SCIENTISTS! We will keep you posted...
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