AWARE`S TAILS FROM THE WILD

AWARE’S
TAILS FROM THE WILD
The Tales Behind the Tails
Over the past year, AWARE has rescued more than 1,200 wild animals, returning the majority of them to the wild.
These animals come to us for many different reasons, but because our patients
can't tell us what happened to them,
sometimes we can only guess what is
wrong. Typically, the injured or orphaned animals we treat are brought to
the center by caring members of the public, but our dedicated volunteers often
drive many miles out of their way at inconvenient times to rescue injured wildlife. No matter the season, there is always
an interesting array of wildlife at
AWARE.
All of the animals have their own
unique tales. None of the volunteers will
soon forget the small, bristly black wild
pigs that
spent several weeks
recovering
from their
injuries
after
an
A pair of orphaned wild pigs at AWARE
encounter
with some dogs left them orphaned and
bleeding. Their constant snorting and
rooting about for food provided lots of
laughter at the center during their stay,
and could they ever squirm and squeal!
Because wild pigs are a non-native species and cannot be released into the wild,
this lucky duo found a home where they
will be raised as farm pets. Another patient of special note was a Great Horned
Owl that came to AWARE after flying
into a barbed wire fence that had pierced
its eye. Dr. Hadley and several volunteers commented on how exciting
it was to
care for a
G r e a t
Horned
Owl at the
c e n t e r
since they
don’t often
come into
After eye surgery and many weeks treatment.
of rehabilitation, this Great S t r a n g e l y
Horned Owl was released .
enough,
soon thereafter AWARE became a
nursery for four Great Horned Owl
orphans. After a difficult eye surgery
performed by Dr. Hadley and many
weeks of rehabilitation, the adult
owl recovered. In fact, once she was
well, she helped teach the fledgling
owlets how to be “real” Great
Horned Owls. One of last year’s
most unusual stories involved a Cooper’s hawk and a squirrel. According
to the rescuer, the hawk had captured the squirrel on the ground, but
before it could make the kill and fly
off, the squirrel's "posse" attacked
the hawk. In fact, the hawk got the
worst of it. The squirrel ran off,
while the hawk spent several weeks
in rehabilitation for a broken wing
bone. At one point last summer,
AWARE became an infirmary for
sixteen fox kits -- the unfortunate
orphans of parents that were trapped
and killed as "nuisances." Rounding
(Continued on page 5)
Winter 2013
Inside this Issue
Hot Winter Nights
p. 7
Photos from a Wild Year p. 4
In Each Issue
Director’s Reflections
from the Wild
p. 2
Wing Beat: Common Sparrows
of Georgia
p. 3
Rehab 911!
Helping an Injured Animal
p. 5
Spotlight on Georgia’s Wildlife:
Red-Tailed Hawks
p. 6
Meet the Ambassador:
Tweakers the Red-Tailed Hawk
p. 6
AWARE’s Mission, Hours,
Wish List & More
p. 8
Senior Writer and Editor:
Melanie Furr
mefurr@bellsouth.net
www.AWAREwildlife.org
Tails from the Wild, Winter 2013
Board of Directors
Page 2
Director’s Reflections from the Wild
This winter at
AWARE
was
Kristi Warren
relatively
quiet
President
of the chirping
McKesson
of birds and the
Lindsay Wallace
quiet has been
Vice President
only occasionNewfields
ally interrupted
by the mewling
Linda Potter
of baby squirTreasurer
rels, the honkRetired
ing of adult
geese, hissing of
Kim Mitchell
Dr. Tarah Hadley
opossums, and
Secretary
the flapping of raptor wings. It is a good
Mitchell Consulting
time to reflect on where we’ve come
Alex Hoffman
from over the past year as well as look
MCL Industries
ahead to the promise of the future. I am
grateful for how much AWARE has reKelly Jordan
cently accomplished and I am ever humPoint Center Corporation
bled by the generosity of volunteers, donors, and staff that made it all possible.
Melinda Matla
I would like to say a huge thank you to
KPMG
the individuals and groups involved with
some very essential projects at the center.
I would first like to thank the federal employees of the Atlanta region who parManagement Team
ticipated in the Combined Federal CamDr. Tarah Hadley, DVM
paign aka the CFC. These employees
Director
were gracious enough to donate to
AWARE and other non-profit organizaLinda Potter
tions some of the proceeds from their
Assistant Director
paychecks. Their kind gifts will be a lasting treasure to the center for the rest of
Marjan Ghadrdan
2013.
Wildlife Care Supervisor
Special thanks also to John Kral of
Kral
X-Ray, who donated and installed
Tammi Scarbro
an x-ray processor machine for the cenWildlife Care Supervisor
ter. Now we don’t have to take our animals elsewhere to check them out for
Bird photos from page three, broken bones and other injuries; that can
clockwise from top left:
be very stressful for them. In the backSong Sparrow
ground of John Kral’s donation was
White-throated Sparrow
Melanie Haire -- wildlife rehabilitator
Chipping Sparrow
extraordinaire and beloved friend of the
Field Sparrow
center. If not for Melanie, who already
Swamp Sparrow
does so much for us, we would never
Savannah Sparrow
have met John. We’re still not sure how
Melanie does everything she does.
Thanks as well to Kamal Aladil. Kamal
stopped by the center one fall day after a
run up Arabia Mountain (kudos to those
who can do this!) and said he was an artist
and was willing to donate his time to help
us. Little did he know what that meant.
Thanks to his donation so far of months of
time, AWARE will soon have a beautifully
decorated sign near the street that will announce our presence to all who drive by or
stop by our location on Klondike Road in
Lithonia.
I would like to especially thank Katrina
Morris and Thomas Floyd, wildlife biologists with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, for joining us for our first
2013 Michael D. Ellis Memorial Wildlife
Series in January. Katrina and Thomas
talked to an audience that included volunteers, rehabilitators, and the
general public about the latest bat and bog
turtle conservation efforts. We greatly appreciate the time they took to enlighten us
about these efforts and the job that they do
every day trying to conserve these and
other endangered species. Thanks
to generous donations from the audience
and a matching donation from AWARE to
the DNR Conservation Fund, we were able
to do our part to help conserve these species
Finally, thank you AWARE volunteer
Christopher Dunlap. Actually, our thanks
are premature for Chris as he is still working hard on repairing and replacing the
floors throughout the entire center with
much of the tile that was graciously donated by Floor and Décor as well as others.
This is no easy task and Chris, a newlywed
and full-time student, has taken countless
days out of his own personal time to help
us see this through to the end before the
busy season begins. By the way, he still
does rehab during his breaks. Chris has
done a beautiful job and this has really
given a huge facelift to the center.
I am amazed and humbled by all of the
donations. On behalf of the countless animals we serve, I say thank you!
Tails from the Wild, Winter 2013
Page 3
Wing Beat
Enjoying Georgia’s Birds
Common Sparrows of Georgia
Georgia is a great place for birding. Besides our resident birds, Georgia has many species of migratory birds
that pass through during spring and fall migrations or that
come down from the north for the winter to take advantage of our food sources and warmer weather. At any
time of year, Georgians can see several species of sparrows -- you know, those little brown blobs that are difficult to identify even when they are close to you.
Three sparrow species that are permanent residents in
Georgia are the Chipping, Field and Song Sparrows.
The Marietta Christmas Bird Count used to have the
highest count in the nation for Chipping Sparrows, but
development changed that many years ago. This sparrow
can be recognized by its rusty brown head cap, a white
stripe over the eye, and a black streak through the eye.
It’s a small sparrow that readily visits feeders.
“Chipping” refers to this bird’s call, a continuous rapid
trill like the whirr of a sewing machine lasting 2-3 seconds.
Field Sparrows can be recognized by their orange/pink bills, a color not seen in other sparrows. They
also have rusty head caps with white eye rings and solid
gray or buff breasts. Two wing bars can also readily be
seen. Field sparrows prefer open countryside, but can
also regularly be seen around feeders in suburban areas.
Like other sparrows, they forage on the ground or in low
vegetation, eating primarily insects and seeds.
Song Sparrows are one of North America’s most
widespread and geographically variable songbirds. In the
southeast, they have heavy brown streaking on their
white breasts, usually with a prominent central spot, so
it’s best to view them at an angle from which you can see
their frontal profile. As their name implies, they have a
rich varied warble for their song, and they are one of
spring and summer’s most persistent singers. Unlike Field
and Chipping Sparrows, Song Sparrows do not tend to
form large flocks.
Three common species of sparrow are seen in the Atlanta area only in winter: Savannah, Swamp, and Whitethroated Sparrows. The White-throated Sparrow, the
most common in our area, can frequently be seen scratching on the ground under your seed holder. Its white throat
is distinct from its gray breast, and the yellow spot in front
of its eye can be either bright or pale in appearance and
usually requires binoculars to see clearly. These sparrows
come in two color forms (morphs) with either black and
white or brown and tan stripes on the top of their heads.
Savannah Sparrows, named after Savannah, Georgia,
are mostly seen in open fields of the countryside. They
like to feed in tall grasses where they blend in nicely because of the fine brown and white streaks on their white
chests, coupled with a pale brown back. This sparrow also
has a dull yellow spot in front of the eye like the Whitethroated, but its chest streaks differentiate it.
Swamp Sparrows, as their name implies, like to be
around water, especially shallow wetlands. They have
longer legs than other sparrows to allow them to wade in
shallow water, and they sometimes stick their head under
water to catch aquatic invertebrates. They mostly forage
near the ground for bugs and invertebrates, but do eat
seeds sometimes. You typically first note their rich brown
wing, gray breast and face, and a reddish brown head cap.
With a little practice and the help of good binoculars,
the sparrow species common to the southeast become
fairly easy to differentiate, so give it a try next time you
see a little brown bird.
By Jim Wilson
Jim Wilson has been birding for over twenty years. A former president
of Atlanta Audubon Society, Jim has co-authored several guidebooks,
including Common Birds of Greater Atlanta. Jim is a dedicated
can you
identify
these
Little
Brown
Birds?
(Answers on page two)
Tails from the Wild, Winter 2013
Tails from a Wild Year at AWARE
Page 4
Tails from the Wild, Winter 2013
Page 5
Tales Behind the Tails
(continued from page one)
up the kits for checkups was quite a task! Once these prey and kill countless others. Still more animals are
youngsters were weaned and given a clean bill of health, brought to AWARE after well-meaning, but misguided
they were transferred to a rehabilitator in South Georgia people have attempted to raise them as pets. Baby animals
with special permits to release them on hundreds of are often brought to us after they have developed health
acres of private land, which will afford them the best problems from improper care, while other animals are surpossible chance against hunters and trappers. Perhaps rendered to us later in life, after they have matured and
the most novel and irresistible patients of the past year become more difficult to deal with. (It should be noted that
were an orphaned fawn and baby otter, but each animal - Georgia law prohibits the possession of wildlife or any of
- from the tiny songbirds and squirrels to the Canada its parts except with special permits). Wild animals that
geese and coyotes -- is unique and important.
are brought to us after being
Sadly, most of the animals that come to us are injured senselessly injured are the
or orphaned as a result of human activity. Wild animals most upsetting cases of all -are often hit by cars, especially hawks, owls, and other the goose with an arrow
raptors that often hunt for prey feeding along roadsides through its neck, the hawk
(an excellent reason not to throw food from car win- shot with a BB gun, the heron
dows!). Other animals are brought to us after being at- tangled up in carelessly dis- This goose was lucky to make it into
tacked by off-leash dogs or cats, while others are evicted carded fishing line, or the ani- treatment. Many others are not so lucky.
from their homes when people cut down trees, prune mals whose legs have been partially severed in traps. Unhedges, or clear overgrown areas without checking them fortunately, human activity often hurts wildlife, which is
for nests first. Secondary poisoning brings animals into why AWARE’s mission to educate the public about wildour care as well. Eating rodents or other animals that life conservation is so vital.
have been poisoned is often lethal to hawks, owls, foxes,
In spite of some disheartening cases, the majority of the
and other carnivores, and work we do is hopeful and rewarding. Every time someone
those that make it into treat- calls AWARE with a question about a wild animal or
ment are usually very sick. brings an animal to the center, we have the opportunity to
AWARE also treats hawks teach them to appreciate and coexist with their wild
that make the unfortunate neighbors. Each armadillo, bat, chipmunk, fox, hawk,
choice to perch on top of the goose, opossum, owl, rabbit, raccoon, squirrel, songbird,
A hawk scorched on a smokesmokestacks at city landfills; vulture, (etc., etc.) released back to the wild restores a prestack at a landfill.
although these stacks provide cious natural resource to the environment. Each wild anian excellent place to spot abundant prey, unpredictable mal plays an important role in the balance of nature. At
flares of scorching methane gas regularly injure birds of AWARE, every "tail" is important.
By Melanie Furr
Rehab 911!
AWARE Rehabilitators Provide Answers to Common Calls about Wildlife
Help! I found an injured animal. What should I do?
Find a wildlife rehabilitator to help you assess the
situation and tell you the safest and best way to handle
and transport the animal. AWARE’s website,
www.AWAREwildlife.org, provides links to wildlife
rehabilitators both in Georgia and worldwide. These
links are found in the upper left corner of AWARE’s
home page. AWARE is available from 9 am to 7 pm
every day of the year. Please call us at (678) 418-1111
before bringing any animals to AWARE.
To capture an animal, you will typically need a pair
of gloves, a transport box with ventilation (the cardboard
carriers from veterinary clinics work well for most species),
and towels or sheets without holes or loose threads that the
animal can get tangled in. Do not attempt to handle animals
that appear to be sick or acting aggressively; a rehabilitator
can tell you what behavior is normal.
Once the animal is contained, get it to a rehabilitator as
soon as possible. Keep the animal in a warm, dark, and
quiet environment to minimize stress, which can cause further injury. Do not give the animal any food or water which
can also cause harm. The steps you take to act quickly and
appropriately may save an animal’s life!
Tails from the Wild, Winter 2013
Page 6
Spotlight on Georgia’s Wildlife: Red-Tailed Hawks
Probably the most widespread hawk in North America, Redtailed Hawks are found across most of the continent from
Alaska and Canada down to Panama and the West Indies. They
occupy a wide range of habitats including forests, deserts,
grasslands, rainforests, roadsides, and urban areas. Human
settlement has actually benefitted the Red-tail, which has extended its range over the last 100 years. The erection of utility
poles and the planting of trees in treeless landscapes (as in the
southwest) created nesting sites for these hawks, while the
clearing of forests in other parts of the country created new
hunting areas. Red-tails are seemingly unfazed by human activity and can live in close proximity to humans.
Red-tailed Hawks have dark brown heads and wings and
pale breasts with brown streaking that can be either heavy or
sparse. Their most distinguishing
traits are a brown band of streaking across the belly and the cinnamon-red tail for which they get
their name (in young birds, the
tail is brown and banded). The
average Red-tailed Hawk measures about two feet in length and
has a wingspan of approximately
four feet. They weigh 2-3 pounds
with females outweighing males
AWARE’s Red-tail Hawk ambassadors,
Koko and Tweakers.
by approximately 25 percent.
A group of Red-tailed Hawks is called a stream, boil, tower,
spiraling, or knot. A young hawk is called an eyass
(pronounced EYE-ess).
Red-tails eat a wide variety of prey. While they primarily
hunt small mammals, they have also been known to a eat in-
vertebrates, reptiles, and birds. They hunt either by swooping
down from a perch or by pursuing prey while in flight. With
their amazing eyesight--up to eight times greater than a human’s--they can spot a mouse from one hundred feet in the air.
Red-tailed Hawks are built
wikimedia.org
for soaring flight, flapping as
little as possible to conserve
energy. While soaring, they
can reach speeds of 20-40
miles per hour, but in a dive,
they can reach speeds of up to 120 miles per hour.
Red-tails usually begin courtship and breeding in late winter or early spring. Their stunning aerial courtship displays
sometimes include a plummeting spiral with interlocked talons.
Both male and female build or refurbish their nest, which measures about three feet in diameter and can be equally as tall. The
female lays one to three eggs and does most of the incubating
while the male brings food to the nest. The eggs hatch in about
four weeks and the young fledge around six weeks, although
they remain dependent on their parents until they are approximately four months old. Red-tails are usually monogamous
unless a mate dies or the pair is unsuccessful at breeding.
The greatest threats to Red-tailed Hawk populations are
shootings, collisions with automobiles, and human interference
with nesting activities. Secondary poisoning also kills countless
numbers of Red-tailed Hawks each year when they eat prey
that has been killed with poisons or lead shot.
Red-tailed hawks play an important role in their ecosystems
by helping to control populations of small mammals, including
rodents and rabbits. They help farmers by eating mice, moles
and other rodents that harm their crops.
Meet the Ambassador: Tweakers the Red-tailed Hawk
When Tweakers arrived at AWARE in 2010, he was in bad
shape. He had head trauma and a broken pelvis, which prevented him from standing. AWARE’s rehabilitators suspected
he’d been hit by a car, and his prognosis seemed bleak, if not
hopeless. AWARE’s founder and former director Michael Ellis
luckily decided to observe Tweakers for a day or two to see if
he improved. He was given medication for pain and swelling
and set up as comfortably as possible in a soft “nest” of towels.
Tweakers’ recovery was slow--almost six weeks passed before he could stand--but he demonstrated a strong will to live
and was a model patient. In spite of the pain he must have felt,
he was always extremely tolerant and compliant. Because his
injury forced him to sit on his tail feathers, volunteers had to
restrain and bathe Tweakers daily, a ritual he endured without
ever attempting to talon or bite his handlers. His only sign of
protest was a soft, high-pitched squeaking--a sound he makes
whenever he is nervous or excited.
Once Tweakers could perch again, AWARE’s rehabilitators
were hopeful that he might be releasable and moved him to a
large flight enclosure to exercise his wings. When he fell from
some branching, our hearts sank. Unfortunately, Tweakers still
struggles with balance and hasn’t regained the ability to fly. He
gets about with a clumsy flap and a silly-looking high-step that
always makes volunteers chuckle. Fortunately, his gentle disposition (perhaps a result of the head trauma) made him a perfect
candidate to become an educational ambassador at AWARE.
These days, when he isn’t outside enjoying the sunshine,
“Tweaks” oversees the activities at
AWARE from his perch in the main room
of the center where he appears completely
at ease amid the bustle and noise. An eager eater, his excitement at mealtimes
always elicits his trademark chirps that are
so endearing, but most of the time he
seems content to quietly observe the comings and goings around him. Sadly,
Tweakers will never live in the wild
again, but he provides AWARE’s visitors
with the unique opportunity to see a Red-tailed Hawk up close
and to learn more about these awe-inspiring birds.
Did you know... the Red-Tailed Hawk’s raspy, piercing call—
“kee-ee-ar”—seems to be just how movie producers think a
bird of prey should sound? Whenever a hawk, eagle, or other
raptor appears onscreen, whatever the species, the shrill cry
you hear is usually a Red-tailed Hawk.
Tails from the Wild, Winter 2013
Page 7
Hot Winter Nights
Winter is a great time for viewing wildlife. Even in the
cold, gray, wet weather that makes most southerners
cringe and stay indoors, much of the animal world stays
active, and the absence of leaves on the trees makes wildlife easier to spot, especially birds. Some animals aren’t
hindered by winter’s chill at all, instead finding it the perfect climate to “turn up the heat.” (The steady arrival of
several tiny orphaned and injured baby squirrels at
AWARE since early February is evidence of that!) Believe it or not, winter is the best time of the year to observe several species of raptors that begin courtship and
breeding even during the coldest and darkest months.
The Great Horned Owl is one of the earliest breeders in
North America, beginning courtship calls as early as October and choosing a mate
by December. The male attracts the female’s attention
by puffing up his white
throat and hooting while
bowing to her. If the female
is sufficiently impressed, she
joins in the bowing and
hooting, and the birds may
remain mates for their entire
lives. Breeding occurs in
January or February with
Jim Wilson
females laying one to four
eggs that hatch in about
seven weeks. Now is the best time of year to get out and
look for these birds, particularly while the bare tree
branches make it easier to spot their nests, which are often
taken over from hawks, crows, or squirrels. Be sure to
look for the two ear tufts popping out from the top.
Great Horned Owls are not the only raptors getting
“busy” this season. Bald eagles are also early breeders,
often building their nests and laying eggs by mid to late
February, sometimes earlier in southern states. Their
nests, usually made of sticks and other plant material and
found in big trees near large bodies of water, are the largest nests of any bird in North America (usually 5-6 feet in
diameter). A pair of Bald Eagles will typically use the
same nest for many successive years. According to statistics provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, there were 111 known Bald Eagle nests in Geor-
gia in 2011 that fledged a
total of 175 eaglets
(georgiawildlife.com/).
Eagles have a spectacular
courtship ritual involving
vocalizations and acrobatic
flights that sometimes include a spiraling freefall
from great heights with interlocked talons. What a
thrill it would be to see this
www.edrotberg.org/
amorous display!
Red-tailed hawks are also
getting ready to breed at this time of year by building or
refurbishing their nests of twigs, foliage, and other plant
matter. Eggs are typically laid in March or April, depending on latitude. Like eagles,
wikimedia.org
Red-tailed Hawks have dramatic aerial courtship displays. The male and female
soar in circles calling with
their unmistakable shrill,
raspy cries. The male dives
steeply then rises again, repeating this display several
times. The display someHawks usually begin courtship
times culminates with the Red-tailed
and nesting in February.
pair clasping talons and
plummeting in a spiral toward the ground before pulling
away. Because Red-tailed Hawks are possibly the most
common hawks in North America and are well-adapted
to living in proximity to humans, the careful observer is
sure to be rewarded with sightings of these beautiful
birds.
Witnessing these powerful birds is a reminder of what
an incredibly diverse and magical planet we share. For
those inclined to stay indoors in the winter months, several websites with live “nest cams” offer viewers the
unique opportunity to watch these birds building nests,
brooding eggs, and raising young in real time (see below
for links), but how much more fascinating it is to witness
it in person! So, before the leaves obscure the treetops,
bundle up, grab a pair of binoculars, and keep your ears
open and eyes toward the skies!
By Melanie Furr
Suggested Nest Cams:
Great Horned Owls:
http://birdcam.xcelenergy.com/owl.html
Red-tailed Hawks: http://cams.allaboutbirds.org/channel/16/Red-tailed_Hawks/
Bald Eagles:
http://www.ustream.tv/SouthwestFloridaEagleCam
Tails from the Wild, Winter 2013
Page 8
Preserving Georgia’s Wildlife through Rehabilitation and Education
4158 Klondike Road, Lithonia, GA 30038
(678) 418-1111
Tours given Saturdays
and Sundays at 1 P.M.
Donations gladly accepted
——————————————
Book an educational program and meet our
ambassador animals up close!
AWARE’s Wish List







Home Depot and Wal-Mart gift cards
Towels and linens (no holes or loose threads)
Sticky notes, fine-tipped permanent markers
Applesauce, mixed fruit baby food
Pecan halves or miscellaneous whole nuts
Unscented HE laundry detergent and bleach
Purina Dog Chow Complete, Friskies Grillers
Blend Cat Chow, or Friskies Classic Pate
AWARE is a volunteer-based organization working
to preserve and restore wildlife and its habitat through
education and wildlife rehabilitation. We believe that
peaceful coexistence of humans and wildlife is essential for our mutual survival.
AWARE rescues and rehabilitates about 1,200 wild
animals each year and returns most of them to the wild.
In addition, our licensed rehabilitators answer approximately 10,000 phone calls each year from people with
wildlife concerns, providing AWARE with opportunities to help people better understand, appreciate, and
coexist with wildlife. Our educational outreach programs, which feature our non-releasable ambassador
animals, include school programs, festivals, fairs, nature centers, community events, scout meetings, and
anywhere there is an audience interested in wildlife.
Our non-releasable ambassador animals (a bobcat, four
owls, two hawks, a snake, an opossum, two skunks,
and a crow) provide a face to our lessons on how to
peacefully coexist with wild animals.
AWARE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that
relies on private contributions of time and money.
AWARE receives no government assistance.
Your donations make our work possible.
Many thanks to Floor & Décor for the generous
donation of 1,400 square feet of much-needed tile
to replace the floors at AWARE. This donation will
make a huge difference to the center! If you are
considering new flooring, please check them out.