Wildlife rehabilitators will go to great lengths to ensure that wild birds stay wild. Their ultimate goal is to release wildlife back to its natural environment. That means limiting an animal‘s exposure to humans to avoid imprinting. We have seen how rehabbers dress like adult birds to teach a baby wattled crane to drink water. Similarly, staff at the Congress of the Birds use a wildlife rehab mask when feeding the four great horned owl nestlings they are raising.
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The wildlife rehab masks might look silly, but they are an integral part of the process that helps keep young raptors from imprinting on humans. Personnel wear the masks and remain completely silent when feeding the young birds. It is critical to keep the owlets from associating food and care with humans.
For other parts of training the young raptors, rehabilitators use puppets that mimic the appearance and behavior of adults. This is useful in helping the nestlings develop their natural instincts. The training protocol simulates the most natural environment possible. By emulating circumstances similar to those they would experience in the wild, rehabilitators are teaching the nestlings how to care for their future offspring.
The rehabilitation center provides educational programming. They have two Ravens that act as wildlife ambassadors. Both birds experienced life events that prevented them from returning to the wild. Zola and Zia now reside at the center, helping to demonstrate the intelligence and adaptability of corvids.
You can monitor these and future rehab efforts by following the Congress of the Birds on social media. You can find them on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Most posts are detailed and provide excellent explanations, serving as effective training aids for schools and summer camps.
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