 |
 |
Our Eagles...
Bald Eagle
Family Accipitridae, Haliaeetus leucocephalus
The bald eagle, also known as the fish eagle or the American eagle, is native throughout North America. They are about 30-34 inches tall and have wingspans between 6 and 8 feet wide. Bald eagles have two races, the northern and southern. The northern is larger and an Alaskan female bald eagle can get as big as a female golden eagle. They get their white head and tail at 4-5 years of age, mate for life, and build one of the largest nests of any bird of prey! They very nearly lost to the turkey as our national symbol because they are creatures of "bad moral character." (Benjamin Franklin) Once nearly extinct, they were downgraded from Endangered to Threatened in 2000.
Name of Bird: Liberty
Sex: Male
Hatched: 1991
Weight: 6 lb, 13 oz
Why is the bird here? He was received by the Florida Audubon Society in summer 1992 with a fractured corocoid. He was banded and released October 30, 1992. Three weeks later he was recovered in Florida with a dislocated shoulder and permanent retinal damage to both eyes. It was believed to have been the result of a collision with an automobile. After his recovery, he was transferred to WBS.
Personality: Very calm in public. He tolerates everything but dogs and horses. He enjoys eating an occasional quail. Bathes frequently and meticulously.
What does this bird do in the show: As a display bird, Liberty has educated millions of children and adults over the years. He has appeared in parades, television programs, and has been invited to the White House and the capitol several times.
Name of Bird: Patriot
Sex: Female
Hatched: 3/17/95
Weight: 10.5-12 lbs
Why is the bird here? The nest she hatched in was blown down by a storm.Due to potential respiratory problems, she was deemed not releasable, but instead has educated the public all over the country.
Personality: She is feisty and loves to eat rabbit meat!
Name of Bird: McGuire
Sex: Male
Hatched: 1997
Weight: 8 lb, 8 oz
Why is the bird here? He was found in Nebraska and has very limited eyesight, which prevented his ability to hunt for himself. He is also either imprinted or extremely habituated to people.
Personality: He really likes toys like tennis balls and rope toys. He also dislikes being walked backwards. He loves fish, and he takes a bath every morning after eating them.
What does this bird do in the show: He is walked on stage as a grand finale for the show.
Name of Bird: Myakka
Sex: Male
Hatched: 1/31/85
Weight: 6.8 lbs
Why is the bird here? He was shot in the head when he was only 8 months old; blind in left eye, 95% blind in right eye.
Personality: Foot shy and grumpy sometimes, but he has educated children all over the county. He loves to eat trout.
What does this bird do in the show: Posing area (looks regal)
Name of Bird: Lewis
Sex: Male
Hatched: 2002
What does this bird do in the show? Lewis is learning to fly for large audiences.
Sex: Male
Hatched: Spring 2003
Why is the bird here? He is the son of Dutch and Killer.
Personality: Spunky
What does this bird do in the show? Clark is learning to fly for large audiences.
Name of Bird: Sanibel
Sex: Female
Hatched: 1990
Why is the bird here? She was injured in the wild on Sanibel Island in Florida. She has a permanent right wing injury from a collision.
Personality: Likes a routine in her day.
What does this bird do in the show? Display/walk on for shows.
Golden Eagle
Family Accipitridae, Aquila chrysaetos
Golden eagles, also known as the King’s Messenger, Ring-tailed eagle or Mountain eagle, are found throughout the northern hemisphere. They stand 30-40 inches tall, with a wingspan about 7 feet wide. Golden eagles are one of only a few known predators of skunks. They will also prey upon other raptors and even coyotes.
Name of Bird: Kili
Sex: Female
Hatched: unknown, pre-1989
Weight: 13-14.5 lb
Why is the bird here? She arrived February 27, 1991 from Denver Wildlife Research Center. She was a wild bird that was captured because she "continued to prey upon lambs" even after relocation.
Personality: Enjoys chicken and rabbit. She is afraid of balloons.
What does this bird do in the show: She is walked on during shows.
Name of Bird: Mariah
Sex: Female
Hatched: 1972, WBS Received 3/26/1987
Weight: 13-16 lbs
Why is the bird here? She once was a falconer’s bird, and has since done programs at various zoo shows.
Personality:She’s a strong, powerful bird who is the boss at home, but sweet everywhere else.
Name of Bird: Buchanon
Sex: Male
Hatched: 1999
Weight: 9 lbs
Personality: He is territorial around his perch but does well at programs.He loves to chew and shred things.
Bateleur Eagle
Family Accipitridae, Terathopius ecaudatus
The bateleur eagle (bateleur comes from the French, meaning acrobat or tumbler) is an African eagle most famous for their tail, or lack thereof. With a tail only two inches long, they are capable of amazing stunts in flight, doing complete sideways barrel rolls. They are also known as the Snake eagle because they are one of the few predators of venomous snakes. They use their extensive plumage to "puff up" when striking a snake so even if the snake bites, it only gets a mouthful of feathers. They stand 22 to 28 inches tall and have a 5 to 6 foot wingspan.
Name of Bird: Dewey
Sex: Female
Hatched: Acquired 1986
Weight: 5 lbs
Why is the bird here? She was confiscated and brought to us as a juvenile. Someone was trying to get her across the border illegally.
Personality: She is very territorial of her perch area. She prefers women to men, even acting submissively towards women. They are one of the most colorful birds of prey. Her face and feet will turn red to orange to yellow as she goes from excited to calm.
What does this bird do in the show: She spent most of her life as a walk-on at Busch Gardens, Tampa. More recently she has flown at the Milwaukee County Zoo. She's a fast and fabulous flier.
Name of Bird: Shadow
Sex: Male
Hatched: unknown
Weight: 6 lb, 5 oz
Personality: A little territorial, he will display if people walk too close or if there is something new and unknown in his environment. He displays by puffing up very large, standing tall and then dipping his head to his toes. He will call as he displays.
What does this bird do in the show? He has mostly been a walk-on, but he did try out flying for an audience in North Carolina in 2003
Tawny Eagle
Family Accipitridae, Aquila rapax
The tawny eagle, a close cousin to the steppe eagle, is a very scruffy looking eagle with long feathers on their legs. They stand a little over 2 feet tall and have a wingspan of 55 inches. They are gregarious and somewhat social for eagles; they are also kleptoparasites (they steal food from one another!)
Name of Bird: Diablo
Sex: Male
Hatched:Spring 2002
Weight: 4 lbs
Why is the bird here? He was bred at Natural Encounters for education.He is one of the first tawny eagles bred in the country.
Personality:Doesn't like mops or crutches. Very very inquisitive. Enjoys eating rat heads. He likes to be above the action.
What does this bird do in the show: Display bird
Name: Max (Maximus)
Sex: Male
Weight: 4-8.8
Hatched: Spring 2002, he is Diablo's brother and nestmate
Personality: Loves to play with tennis balls, is very curious about everything!
Long Crested Eagle
Family Accipitridae, Lophoaetus occipitalis
The long crested eagle is a small African eagle most famous for the long feathers on the top of their heads, giving them an appearance similar to a cockatoo. They perch on poles and have feathered legs. They are found generally in open country or on the edges of wooded areas.
Name: Chrys
Sex: Male
Hatched: Acquired 1987, unknown hatched date
Personality: He was captured out in the wild of Africa to be sold in the United States black market pet trade. The people that captured him in the wild cut off his crest to disguise him, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service discovered and confiscated him. He was then turned over to the World Bird Sanctuary and is still with us.
White-tailed Sea Eagle
Family Accipitridae, Haliaeetus albicilla
This large eagle lives along coasts and on islands. They are found across northern Europe and Asia and on the west coast of Greenland and Iceland. They eat mostly fish and birds from along shorelines, but also eat carrion.
Name of Pair: Mariner (F) and Cousteau (M)
Breeding pair: 3 years
Prior to breeding: Were part of a display and show, respectively, in Virginia.
 |
 |