Meet the Team
This is Susan with Trixie, an American Kestrel. Trixie came to us in 2022 with bumblefoot and a misshapen wing. She is unable to perch or fly well. We believe someone was trying to keep her as a pet because bumblefoot is a bacterial infection not often found in wild birds. Too often people try to keep the wildlife they encounter. Even a short delay getting them into care can make the difference when it comes to whether or not they can heal and be released into the life of freedom they deserve. Trixie is helping us teach others why wild animals do not make good pets.
This is Kelly with her Education Ambassador Dolly. Dolly is a Virginia Opossum. She came to us in 2023 with a serious wound in her groin. Her wound healed after many treatments, but she was left with an incomplete pouch so she cannot carry babies. She is also too trusting of humans now because of her lengthy medical stay. As a result. she can't be safely released. Dolly is a living example to our education classes of how docile and beneficial these critters are.
This is Denise with Juniper, an American Kestrel. This little falcon came to us with a broken wing. The wing appeared to heal well after it was wrapped for a period of time. Unfortunately, although Juniper can fly, she cannot fly well enough to be released. She is a tiny and fierce predator whose numbers are disappearing due to habitat loss. These falcons teach us how we may make a difference in their future by better protecting our open spaces.
This is Natasha with Dahlia, who is a Barn Owl. Dahlia came to us in 2020 during the Covid pandemic. We received a call that this beautiful owl was begging for food and landing on people. It was clear she had been raised by humans and when she became inconvenient, she was released. Dahlia cannot hunt or ever be free because she has imprinted with humans. She gives people in our education classes a chance to see this stunning species up close and to understand how these birds help keep rodents in check.
This is Karen with Education Ambassador Roger. He is a Red-Shouldered Hawk who came to us with a horrible head injury that left him with neurological and eye damage. Roger had to fight to survive with the help of Tri County Wildlife Care rehabilitators. Hawks rely heavily on their eyesight to fly, locate and catch prey. This hawk is unable to hunt or survive in the wild and is with us to show our students an example of a common and beneficial bird of prey.
This is Marci with Mirikuru, a Screech Owl brought to us by a Jackson police officer after the bird had been hit by a car. His name means miracle because it was thought that he died as we were trying to save him. A short while later, he began moving and efforts to heal him resumed. Mirikuri had a badly broken wing, which was wrapped, but he kept chewing through and removing his wraps. His wing cannot extend fully, which prevents his successful release. This bird is a common resident of our area and shows us how camouflage and being a creature of the night make this little owl one that is not often seen.
This is Denise with Education Ambassador Tiago, a Swainson’s Hawk. Tiago came to us in 2018. While caring for Tiago, our volunteers realized he was very comfortable with people. The person who brought him in admitted she had taken him in as a tiny chick and kept him several weeks. Tiago had imprinted with humans and, although we tried for three years to get him to join up with other Swainson’s Hawks, it was clear he did not think of them as his kind or even recognize that he was a bird. With Tiago, we talk to our classes about how this species has made a comeback from nearly being endangered by pesticides.
Teddy is shown here with Marbles, a blind Screech Owl. Marbles was found in 2016 sitting on a log. She is thought to have trauma cataracts on her eyes, possibly from being struck by a car. This bird is able to land and find her food despite her lack of sight. We have been told that owls hunt primarily with their hearing, and this bird shows us that is true. In confined spaces, Marbles is able to triangulate sound to a specific location. If she is outside in an open area, she goes to the ground and is vulnerable to predators. Marbles is an invaluable education ambassador.
Onyx is a young Crow that joined our education team with Marci as her handler. This Crow came to us in 2022 with a badly broken wing joint that prevents full extension of that wing. Onyx is unable to fly, so may not be released successfully. This bird is a great example of how very intelligent corvids are as a class of birds. Corvids include Scrub Jays, Steller’s Jays, Magpies, Crows and Ravens.
