misc. bird photos - take a look!

[Casa Amazona]

Thank you so much for taking the time to post those wonderful pics. Every one of them is special in its own way, so I couldn't pick a favorite. I enjoyed all of them.

[Spinnergirl]

Originally Posted by Alika

Our green-winged usually holds around 1500 grams.

There are about 450 grams in a pound, so I guess that's about 3 lbs.

The eagles are HEAVY. Oh. My. Goodness. There are a lot of things that are difficult about handling them, but their weight is the worst. I feel like such a wuss after just 10 minutes. When I do eagle courts, I have to last for at least 20 minutes... that is a LONG time to hold a 14 lb bird!

Thanks, I really had no idea about weights as I have some "light weights" in my house :)
Wow they must strike the fear of most everyone when and if they ever could get close. That is one HUGE bird there! I would hate to be around when they have a bad day ~ YIKES!!
Do the Eagles have a steady temperment ??? I mean an injury from a bird that bird could be ~ well lets just say BAD.

[Alika]

Originally Posted by Spinnergirl

Do the Eagles have a steady temperment ??? I mean an injury from a bird that bird could be ~ well lets just say BAD.

Well... they're predictable... enough so that we can clean in with them. That is, we go into their mew (housing) when they are in there to clean them... untethered and fully flighted.

The golden is a really, really calm bird. She's at least 26 years old... probably older (injured in the wild). She's never bit at me or tried to grab me with her feet. As a matter of fact, we stroke her feet to calm her down when she's nervous. She could definitely do some damage if she wanted to, though.

The bald is a little different. Bald eagles are usually really skittish and jumpy, so she's actually really calm and good for a bald... but still kind of unpredictable for handling. She's a face-biter, and I came home with some nice marks on my face when I was first learning to handle her. She's also footed me a few times. That's what's really dangerous about raptors; those feet! I was lucky... she wasn't very serious about it either time. She's bit me numerous times on the arms, hands, and chest as well. Those aren't really a big deal. Fish eagles (like balds) are known for using their wings as weapons, too. And I have been beat in the head a couple of times by her wrist... nothing to sneeze at.

We have aviculturists who work with eagles but don't handle there birds (non birdshow people) who can't believe that we go into our eagles' mews without any protection except a handling glove and pick up our untethered birds. LOL.

Still, if it was THAT dangerous, I'm sure nobody would ever do it. Worst case scenario, I have to go to the emergency room with an eagle attached to some random body part. No big deal ;) It makes for a great story, if nothing else.

[Spinnergirl]

Originally Posted by Alika

.

She's a face-biter, and I came home with some nice marks on my face when I was first learning to handle her. She's also footed me a few times. That's what's really dangerous about raptors; those feet! Fish eagles (like balds) are known for using their wings as weapons, too. And I have been beat in the head a couple of times by her wrist... nothing to sneeze at.


Still, if it was THAT dangerous, I'm sure nobody would ever do it. Worst case scenario, I have to go to the emergency room with an eagle attached to some random body part. No big deal ;) It makes for a great story, if nothing else.

LMAO, that last part I mean!!!

Ah, I guess I forgot about them feets. I mean they could really Really get you, I am really glad you are letting us know about the birds.

Wow that is quite a job you have there....I'd be the lady simply mesmerized watching you. (I'm not a stalker) he he

Glad for the most part your guys are fairly predictable.

"Face biter" I am sure doesn't have alot of handlers huh?? :)

And the fish Eagles keep them away ~wow they have lots of weapons ~ MORE YIKES!!

[Alika]

LOL

The bald is only 6 years old. She's just barely hit sexual maturity. She'll probably chill out as she gets older.

I love talking about the birds I work with... good thing, too, since it's 80-90% of my job! Ask away and I shall tell... as you've already seen.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to look at my pictures. Our bald eagle was scared to death of my uncle, so we couldn't get any pictures of her :( We'll try again next year.

[willowbirdy218]

Wow...Beautiful pictures!! I never realized that eagles could get so large! I remember when I first got Willow and I thought he was heavy...he only weighs a little more than a pound!! Parrots are definately my favorite birds but I am becoming more fascinated by the raptors (not so much the vultures) such as the eagles and hawks. Ok these will probably be stupid questions but I will ask anyway...I could identify most of the birds in the pictures but what is/are the difference(s) between a hawk and an eagle? Also, What birds are considered raptors...hawks, eagles, vultures, owls?, etc? Thanks for the pictures they are amazing!

[Alika]

Originally Posted by willowbirdy218

I could identify most of the birds in the pictures but what is/are the difference(s) between a hawk and an eagle? Also, What birds are considered raptors...hawks, eagles, vultures, owls?, etc? Thanks for the pictures they are amazing!

The biggest difference between a hawk and an eagle is size. But there are many different kinds of eagles. You have your booted eagles (like the golden), your fish eagles (like the bald), your forest eagles (like the harpy) and... another group of eagles that I can't remember right now. They are all specialized to do one thing or another, and are in separate genuses because of it. The booted eagles are most closely related to hawks. They look and behave much like giant hawks.

Hawks are smaller and come in two basic types: buteo and accipiter. The buteos have the broad, wide wings that are great for soaring. The accipiters have short, rounded wings that are better for manuevering.

Then you have the falcons, which have long, pointed wings and other adaptations for speed.

Owls are different because they hunt at night, and have certain adaptations, like accute hearing, triangulation, large eyes, and softened feathers, in order to do so.

Vultures come in two basic kinds. You have your new world and your old world vultures. Old world vultures are more closely related to raptors. Physiologically, they share more of the same traits. But new world vultures are more closely related to storks. Vultures are fascinating. I felt the same way about them as you when I first started at the aviary; didn't care for them. But our vultures have the best personalities... they're just so fun!

All are considered to be raptors, or birds of prey... although some books exclude the vulture groups. Raptors are birds possessing strong, powerful feet armed with sharp claws called talons. They use these feet to catch their prey. Their beaks are sharp and curved for tearing apart meat. They are also usually definted by their keen eyesight; most raptors can see up to 10 times better than we can. But, yes, you correctly identified the groups of raptors.

I hope that answers your question.

[willowbirdy218]

Thank-you for the information!! You are very informative and helpful!! I was thinking the difference was size but wasn't completely sure and I also thought falcons were in the group of raptors...guess I know more about raptors than I thought! And another question...What is a booted eagle? What are they specialized to do?

And by the way...I love the picture in your signature!!

[Alika]

Booted eagles are hawk-like eagles that have feathers going down to their feet like boots, hence the name. They are specialized to live in large, open areas, soar for hours on end, and survive colder climates.

[Spinnergirl]

Yeah at first glance the vultures don't really do anything for me either Willowbirdy!!
They might not have the looks but they seem to be the ones with the jokes (always better) IMO. I like the jokesters.

Now what about the Crow, do you find him/her a nice bird?? I remember my dad telling us he had one as a pet (a long time ago) he said it was a great bird. Can you tell us some things about your Crow?

Still can't imagine a 14lb bird on my arm, and then sometimes I have seen them try and fly and you got to try and get them back up on your arm that really looks hard and rather a difficult manuever to do. I imagine the wings alone could leave welts on a persons flesh.

Nice thread thanks for sharing!