Program Birds
Kisra
Kisra is a female American Kestrel (Falco
sparverius) . She has been a resident at
Horizon Wings since 2000. Kisra was found
at the Audubon Center in Glastonbury, CT
with a severely injured wing which required
amputation. Kestrels are a member of the
Falcon family. They are the smallest falcons
living in North America. They are currently
on the threatened list in Connecticut as their
numbers have seen a dramatic decrease in
the last decade. Some of the theories for this
decrease are loss of habitat (Kestrels prefer
open areas such as farmland), pesticide use
(Kestrels prey on many types of insects),
and predation by larger birds of prey (there
is an increasing Cooper's hawk population
in Connecticut).
sparverius) . She has been a resident at
Horizon Wings since 2000. Kisra was found
at the Audubon Center in Glastonbury, CT
with a severely injured wing which required
amputation. Kestrels are a member of the
Falcon family. They are the smallest falcons
living in North America. They are currently
on the threatened list in Connecticut as their
numbers have seen a dramatic decrease in
the last decade. Some of the theories for this
decrease are loss of habitat (Kestrels prefer
open areas such as farmland), pesticide use
(Kestrels prey on many types of insects),
and predation by larger birds of prey (there
is an increasing Cooper's hawk population
in Connecticut).
Emrys
Emrys is a Barred Owl (Strix varia) who
came to us in 2001 after being struck
by a car which resulted in the
amputation of his left wing. Barred
owls are common in Connecticut and
have a distinctive call some people say
sounds like "who who who cooks for
you all". Barred owls generally live in
the deep forest and make their nest in
tree cavities. They prey on a variety of
smaller mammals such as mice, voles,
and chipmunks. They also eat a wide
variety of birds. Barred owls are one
of the few owls that have dark eyes.
came to us in 2001 after being struck
by a car which resulted in the
amputation of his left wing. Barred
owls are common in Connecticut and
have a distinctive call some people say
sounds like "who who who cooks for
you all". Barred owls generally live in
the deep forest and make their nest in
tree cavities. They prey on a variety of
smaller mammals such as mice, voles,
and chipmunks. They also eat a wide
variety of birds. Barred owls are one
of the few owls that have dark eyes.
Cedar
Cedar is an Eastern Screech Owl (Otus asio). Cedar
came to us after being struck by a car which resulted
in the loss of vision in her left eye. About two thirds of
the birds we get into rehab are struck by cars. Cedar
is a red form screech owl. Screech owls also come in
a gray form. Screeches take many small prey items
from moths to small rodents but have also been noted
preying on birds as large as pigeons. They are very
tenacious for their size. Screech owls get their name
from the call they can make but also have a "trilling"
type call.
came to us after being struck by a car which resulted
in the loss of vision in her left eye. About two thirds of
the birds we get into rehab are struck by cars. Cedar
is a red form screech owl. Screech owls also come in
a gray form. Screeches take many small prey items
from moths to small rodents but have also been noted
preying on birds as large as pigeons. They are very
tenacious for their size. Screech owls get their name
from the call they can make but also have a "trilling"
type call.
Dakota
Dakota is a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo
jamaicensis) who was hit by a car in 2006. Her
left wing and leg were broken. Her leg healed
well but her wing did not. We know Dakota's
age as she still had her first year juvenile
plumage when she was hit. Once raptors molt
in their adult feathers it is difficult if not
impossible to determine their age. Red-tails are
very common and adult birds can easily be
identified by their striking red tail. Red-tails also
have a " belly-band" of dark feathers across the
lower portion of their chest. In some birds this
marking is very distinctive in others it is just a
few dark spots.
jamaicensis) who was hit by a car in 2006. Her
left wing and leg were broken. Her leg healed
well but her wing did not. We know Dakota's
age as she still had her first year juvenile
plumage when she was hit. Once raptors molt
in their adult feathers it is difficult if not
impossible to determine their age. Red-tails are
very common and adult birds can easily be
identified by their striking red tail. Red-tails also
have a " belly-band" of dark feathers across the
lower portion of their chest. In some birds this
marking is very distinctive in others it is just a
few dark spots.
Chico
Chico is a Broad-Winged Hawk (Buteo
platypterus) who came to us in 2007 as a
nestling who had fallen from his nest tree
and broken his wing. Because of his age
(approx. two weeks) and because his bones
were still growing surgery was not a good
option. The wing did not heal properly and
his ability to fly well enough to survive in the
wild was compromised. Broad-Wings are
hawks of the deeper woods unlike their
relatives the Red-Tail who prefer open areas.
Adult Broad-Wings can be identified by their
wide black and white banded tails and their
distinctive "petee-petee" call.
Broad-Winged hawks migrate to South
America for the winter in large flocks called
kettles.
platypterus) who came to us in 2007 as a
nestling who had fallen from his nest tree
and broken his wing. Because of his age
(approx. two weeks) and because his bones
were still growing surgery was not a good
option. The wing did not heal properly and
his ability to fly well enough to survive in the
wild was compromised. Broad-Wings are
hawks of the deeper woods unlike their
relatives the Red-Tail who prefer open areas.
Adult Broad-Wings can be identified by their
wide black and white banded tails and their
distinctive "petee-petee" call.
Broad-Winged hawks migrate to South
America for the winter in large flocks called
kettles.
Oscar
Oscar is a Great-Horned Owl (Bubo
virginianus) who came to Horizon Wings
from another rehabilitator after he was struck
by a garbage truck. Oscar suffered a broken
shoulder which left him unable to fly.
Great-Horned owls are the largest owls
nesting in Connecticut. In the wild an adult
Great-Horned has few natural predators.
They are very powerful birds and can take an
extremely wide variety of prey items
including mammals as large as skunks.
Great-Horned owls nest early in the year
(February-March) and will quite often take
over a nest built by another pair of birds,
such as a Red-Tailed hawk.
virginianus) who came to Horizon Wings
from another rehabilitator after he was struck
by a garbage truck. Oscar suffered a broken
shoulder which left him unable to fly.
Great-Horned owls are the largest owls
nesting in Connecticut. In the wild an adult
Great-Horned has few natural predators.
They are very powerful birds and can take an
extremely wide variety of prey items
including mammals as large as skunks.
Great-Horned owls nest early in the year
(February-March) and will quite often take
over a nest built by another pair of birds,
such as a Red-Tailed hawk.
Athena
Athena is a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
who was found injured at Bradley International
Airport in Windsor Locks, CT. Her right wing
was abraded and missing primary feathers
which are crucial in a bird's flight. In rehab we
allowed her to go through a molt ( losing old
feathers and growing new ones). As the new
primaries grew they would break before
reaching their full length. It was determined that
there was probably some irreversible nerve and
tissue damage to the wing and she would not
be able to be released. Peregrine Falcons are
the fastest animals on earth, reaching speeds
close to 200 mph as they dive after their prey,
which consists almost entirely on other birds.
Peregrines were almost completely gone from
much of the east coast of the U.S. due in large
part to the pesticide DDT. Through captive
breeding programs and reintroduction they
have made an extraordinary comeback. They
have also adapted quite well to living in cities
where they often nest on high rise buildings.
who was found injured at Bradley International
Airport in Windsor Locks, CT. Her right wing
was abraded and missing primary feathers
which are crucial in a bird's flight. In rehab we
allowed her to go through a molt ( losing old
feathers and growing new ones). As the new
primaries grew they would break before
reaching their full length. It was determined that
there was probably some irreversible nerve and
tissue damage to the wing and she would not
be able to be released. Peregrine Falcons are
the fastest animals on earth, reaching speeds
close to 200 mph as they dive after their prey,
which consists almost entirely on other birds.
Peregrines were almost completely gone from
much of the east coast of the U.S. due in large
part to the pesticide DDT. Through captive
breeding programs and reintroduction they
have made an extraordinary comeback. They
have also adapted quite well to living in cities
where they often nest on high rise buildings.
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Julian
Julian is a Common Raven (Corvus corax) who
came to Horizon Wings in 2005. Julian was found
by a hiker in Vernon, CT with a severely broken
and infected wing which left him unable to ever fly
again. Ravens are in the same family (Corvids) as
crows. Ravens are much larger then crows and
can be identified by their wedge shaped tail in
flight (crows tails are rounded) Ravens also have
much thicker and heavier beaks with hair-like
feathers covering the beak near their face. Their
call is more of a croaking sound as opposed to the
distinct caw of a crow. Ravens are becoming
more and more common in Connecticut and
typically like to nest on ledges and cliff faces.
Ravens are extremely intelligent birds with actual
problem solving abilities (not just trial and error).
We know Julian was less than a year old when he
came to us as the inside of his mouth was pink,
which darkens to black as the bird matures. Julian
is currently a display bird at Horizon Wings until he
can be trained as a program bird. Julian has also
picked up a few phrases he has heard us say to
him. What's Up! Who's a good bird!
came to Horizon Wings in 2005. Julian was found
by a hiker in Vernon, CT with a severely broken
and infected wing which left him unable to ever fly
again. Ravens are in the same family (Corvids) as
crows. Ravens are much larger then crows and
can be identified by their wedge shaped tail in
flight (crows tails are rounded) Ravens also have
much thicker and heavier beaks with hair-like
feathers covering the beak near their face. Their
call is more of a croaking sound as opposed to the
distinct caw of a crow. Ravens are becoming
more and more common in Connecticut and
typically like to nest on ledges and cliff faces.
Ravens are extremely intelligent birds with actual
problem solving abilities (not just trial and error).
We know Julian was less than a year old when he
came to us as the inside of his mouth was pink,
which darkens to black as the bird matures. Julian
is currently a display bird at Horizon Wings until he
can be trained as a program bird. Julian has also
picked up a few phrases he has heard us say to
him. What's Up! Who's a good bird!
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