With the return of warmer weather this weekend, the Ijams' American kestrel and the other two small birds of prey will be going back to the nature center tomorrow. They are on a cozy, warm sabbatical at my house.
You can see in the photo why the little falcon will live at Ijams the rest of her life. See how her left wing hangs damaged to her side? She can no longer fly, but she's a really good runner.
If you also own a conure, you might notice a similarity. Although once called sparrow-hawks, recent DNA studies have shown that falcons are more closely related to the parrot family than to the true hawks.
How do small birds like the kestrel (she weighs roughly 5 to 6 ounces) survive outside when the temperature is as low as 9 degrees? During the day they eat as much food as they can find. And mice do not venture above ground that often when it is cold. At night they find a safe place to roost, fluff up their insulating feathers and then they shiver. Roughly 25 percent of a bird's weight is their flight muscles. By shivering these muscles internal heat is produced to warm their blood. But without enough food, they simply do not make it through such bitter cold weather.
If you would like to help Ijams care for these birds, send a donation earmarked "animal care."
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How do small birds like the kestrel (she weighs roughly 5 to 6 ounces) survive outside when the temperature is as low as 9 degrees? During the day they eat as much food as they can find. And mice do not venture above ground that often when it is cold. At night they find a safe place to roost, fluff up their insulating feathers and then they shiver. Roughly 25 percent of a bird's weight is their flight muscles. By shivering these muscles internal heat is produced to warm their blood. But without enough food, they simply do not make it through such bitter cold weather.
If you would like to help Ijams care for these birds, send a donation earmarked "animal care."
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