News From The Mews

For a split second, I thought Aldo the kestrel was going gray. Then I realized the white specks on top of his head were not feathers turned gray. They were new feathers still inside their protective white sheath. The flakey keratin layer will fall off when the feathers are done growing. (As a side note, I found this fascinating article that describes how female kestrels get the best overwintering sites. Researchers traced the answer back to migration timing, molting, and chick-rearing roles! Read more here:  Being a Good American Kestrel Dad Comes at a Cost  )

When I planted a live pothos plant in the tree frog's habitat, I also added a moss pole. The column of damp moss would be the perfect place for new roots to settle in and the plant could grow vertically.  Months later, the plant had not anchored in the moss despite my gentle encouragement. The stem still flopped down unless it was tied to the pole. Then I noticed another stem standing tall against the back of the habitat. I poked at it. It didn't budge, like it was cemented in. The plant didn't like my custom moss pole, but it's roots found firm footing in the painted foam backdrop!

With Carson's permanent wing injury, I noticed that the Red-tailed Hawk sometimes had a hard time landing on perches. The biggest problem was the leap she had to make to the top of her hutch where I often leave her food. After seeing her miss the edge of the hutch a few times, I decided to add another shelf perch that would act like a set of steps up to the highest perch. Once it was installed, I wondered if Carson would actually use the new perch like I imagined. She did! Thanks to volunteer Tom for cutting Carson's new shelf perch!

My trusty Kaufman bird guide describes identifiable American Kestrel traits including a plain, two-toned tail: "Male has a red-brown tail with black tip."  Kaufman's American Kestrel images That's why I always scratch my head when I see Aldo's molted tail feathers. They never seem to match Kaufman's image of a solid brown tail. Even when I search the internet for kestrel tail photos, most depict this definition. Aldo's tail is much more interesting: Aldo the American Kestrel's molted tail feathers from this summer. There are some solid brown areas with black along the tip, but there is also spots of blue and checkered black and white. I'm not sure how unusual this tail is. One naturalist saw an atypically-tailed kestrel and noted, "this marks only the third time that I’ve observed wild kestrels with unusually marked tails." Others have documented frequent variation while banding kestrels . There is even variation in Aldo's tail from ...

I have maintained a trail camera as part of the Snapshot Wisconsin program for several years. Every few months, I trek off the trail at Wayside Wanderings Natural Play Area to change the camera's batteries and retrieve the memory card. The photos are uploaded to the statewide project where the DNR's wildlife biologists use the data to track wildlife trends.  This friendly raccoon stopped to pose for a photo in 2023. Last year, we got the opportunity to add a new type of data to our site. I installed a white-capped temperature sensor on the same tree as our camera. That small device recorded the air temperature every 15 minutes all winter long. In June, I removed the sensor and mailed it back to the Snapshot Wisconsin office.  Our tree with the trail cam and temperature sensor. I received an email this week with the subject, "Your Temperature Data." I was excited to open the document and see what the sensor measured. The winter's temperature bottomed out at -31.7°F...

I reviewed my lecture notes as I sat on the ferry. I had just reorganized my presentation on "How Animals Learn" and wanted to make sure I remembered my slide order for tonight's evening program on Madeline Island.  Standing on a little stage at the island's museum, I enjoyed sharing stories of animals I've worked with and the lessons I learned from them. The best way to learn how to train an animal is to practice, after all. That's why I end the program with The Training Game, a chance for us to train each other. I asked for a volunteer that I could teach a new behavior. The room was quiet for a moment. Then a group of three sisters eagerly started pointing at each other. One of those sisters good-naturedly agreed to join me on stage.  I explained that she could move around the stage and I would use a clicker to tell her when she's done something correct. I held out a paper towel tube. She took a step toward me. Click!  She returned to the starting positi...

I abandoned the idea of obtaining accurate length measurements on our snakes several years ago after struggling with Emory. She just did not want to straighten out! Emory did not want to straighten out for me in 2018! This week I was excited to catch Digger, the hognose snake, slithering along the front window of her habitat in a mostly-straight line. I grabbed a tape measure and estimated her length at 32 inches. No struggle needed!

Naturalist Intern Rosie and I watched as Digger the hognose snake rubbed her nose along rocks and hides in her habitat. A bit of skin had separated along her neck, but she seemed to be having trouble loosening the skin on her nose. Once that end was free, Digger would be able to slither right out of her old skin. I knew Digger would figure it out, but I wanted to help. Humidity can help loosen snake skin, so I lightly misted around Digger. Normally, she would avoid the water. But today, she lifted her chin into the mist. I wonder if she knew the extra moisture would help! Digger seemed to enjoy a mist bath!

As we wrap up each live raptor program, I discuss the effect DDT, a powerful insecticide, had on raptor populations. The chemical caused eagles, osprey, and peregrine falcons to lay thinned-shelled eggs that cracked easily. DDT was eventually banned in the United States 1972 due to these environmental impacts. Since I didn't live through the time of this wonder-chemical, I enjoy hearing stories from people who experienced it. Last week, an audience member shared a childhood memory of visiting their family cabin. The old log structure hosted many mosquitos inside and out. He explained how his mother used to spray the bedroom with a fog of DDT as the kids crawled into bed.  At this week's program, one audience member shared that their father worked at the lab that received the first shipment of DDT in the US. They were amazed at how well it controlled fly populations in barns. In hindsight, of course, we know they could have tamed their enthusiasm for this chemical. But I imagine...

I peered into Carson's mew through the dusty screen. Dust was stacked high in each of the screen's little mesh holes. I imagined how many Who-villes must be established on all of these specks - Horton would have his hands full protecting them all!  Look at all those specks and potential Who-villes! Our raptor mews are covered with a layer of screen to keep mosquitoes out. The screens always become matted with dust, feather particles, pollen, and cobwebs. Wiping with a washcloth will remove some of it, but they still look grungy.  Then this mesh screen cleaner came across my internet searches. The angled fibers promised to scrub both sides of the screen at once. I thought it might be worth a try. Back in the mews, I wished all the Whos good luck as I swept the specialized brush down the screen. I was delighted to see a cloud of dust puff away from the screen. It worked better than a washcloth!

As my family waited for our pizza at Lakewoods Resort, I looked out over Lake Namakagon and remembered sharing this view with Aldo the American Kestrel. Ten years ago, I snapped a photo after a raptor program here and turned it into my third News From The Mews blog post. Here's a look back at that post: Sometimes even a kestrel needs time to relax after a busy day of work. Aldo had the opportunity to enjoy the view of Lake Namakagon after an outreach program at Lakewoods Resort this week.  As he watched boaters coming and going on the lake, I had a great view of the back of his head. In this photo, you can see the black spots on his nape. These “ocelli” are thought to act as false eyes. They might protect the kestrel from a predator like a Cooper’s or Red-tailed Hawk. The spots might also prevent angry songbirds from getting too close when trying to chase off a kestrel. In either case, they will wait to attack until they have the element of surprise. If the kestrel’s trick works, t...

If you've been following my articles, you may know that little things can delight me. One of those little things tickled my fancy this week when I spotted a few plastic dog kennels at the UCC garage sale.  I began picturing our emergency bird crate at the Museum. The crate sits outside, just in case a fire or other disaster prevents us from entering the building. The emergency crate could help us evacuate one of the birds. Unfortunately our emergency crate was pretty janky. A creative person, long ago, modified this crate to stand upright on the metal door. The old emergency crate. (click for larger image) I've only kept it because it would theoretically hold a bird in an emergency.  When I saw the crates at the UCC sale, I realized we could finally replace it with an affordable, more reliable option. My eyes lit up when I saw this particular crate. It's an old style that I can't find online anymore. The plastic is more sturdy and it has perfectly placed ergonomic hand ...

We've been practicing behavior-based feeding with our snakes for a few years. That means we don't feed on a schedule; we feed based on whether the snakes show behaviors that indicate they're hungry.  Our Gray Tree Frog has generally remained on a regular schedule of feeding. But recently, I've noticed some new behaviors like springing off the branch when we open the door or mouth snapping at a water mist. Could these be signs that he's hungry? I'll give him an extra mealworm or two when I see these expectant behaviors in case his stomach is rumbling.

In the summer heat, Aldo the American Kestrel likes taking a shower from a spray bottle!

"EEEEEE!" my daughter shrieked shrilly in our cat's face. Calypso's ears flattened and she leaned away from the tiny, loud human.  This had been happening too frequently over the last few weeks for my liking. Calypso is wonderfully patient with our 1.75-year-old daughter, Lucy, with hardly a hiss when poked or prodded. But if the shrieking continued, I worried that someone would get hurt. My animal trainer mind began to analyze the behavior. Lucy's shrieking was becoming more frequent and that meant she was getting something enjoyable from it. What was reinforcing this behavior? I noticed that after shrieking, Lucy looked back at me. What did I do? I usually rushed to Lucy's side, gushing explanations. "Oh no, we can't scream at Calypso. That's scary for her. We can wave at her instead and say 'Hi Calypso.'"  Was my attention the reward Lucy was looking for? Next time I heard a shriek, I glanced over, modeled a quiet wave ("Hi Ca...

When I travel with the birds, I like to scope out our program location before I start unpacking. There's a lot to consider in a new space. Where should I set up the table? Which end of the table should the bird crates sit? Will people be passing through the space in the middle of the program? How close can kids sit? Is there anything above or behind us (like ceiling fans or windows) that might scare the birds?  Last week I ran across a new challenge when I arrived in Amery for a raptor program. The library, who was hosting the program, had reserved an outdoor stage for our event. I noticed right away that it was incredibly windy with a strong breeze coming from stage left. Since I hold the birds on my left arm and they don't like sitting with wind at their back, I knew that I would have to rotate my body and hold my arm at an angle so the wind would hit their side.  I also carefully considered their travel crate placement. I set the crates on the left side of the stage so the ...

American Kestrels are cavity nesters. They find holes in trees or utilize nest boxes to keep their eggs safe. Then why does Aldo the American Kestrel make a nest on the ground every year? He creates a depression in the gravel and chatters noisily, bowing up and down, to advertise it to potential mates. Meanwhile, his enclosed hutch remains relatively unused during breeding season.  I once worked with another male ambassador kestrel that tried to nest on the ground. Curious! Both of these kestrels are human imprints - they were raised by people. I wondered recently whether that impacted their nesting preferences. Maybe the people didn't raise these birds in a cavity. Perhaps they were growing up on a flat, open surface, like someone's kitchen counter or a rehab facility's clinic. If they imprinted on their caretakers, did they also imprint on their nest type? That's just my speculation - what do you think?

Toward the end of my interview, I was still waiting for a hard-hitting question.  Two peer reviewers were visiting the Museum as part of a reaccreditation process through the American Alliance of Museums. During my scheduled time block with them, it was not the interrogation I imagined. We simply chatted casually about the daily care and training that I do with our live animals.  At the end I asked if they had any questions for me. One of the reviewers said, "I think that says it all." He indicated the sign I have posted above the whiteboard: The quality of our work is the quality of their lives. I truly believe this sentiment. Any time I think about cutting corners because I'm busy or tired, I realize that our animals deserve my best - even if it takes a little extra willpower some days - because the quality of their life depends on it.  It was meaningful to be recognized by the reviewer for this core belief that has shaped my work at the Museum.

I've always been a fan of artist Lili Chin, who specializes in animal drawings. She often works with animal trainers to create useful drawings of dog, cat, or bunny body language. What does a fearful dog look like? An overstimulated cat? A curious bun? She's got an illustration for it! See the full image here: Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin But what does happy snake look like? How can you tell if a snake is scared? I never learned snake body language other than hissing or striking means "stay away." Fortunately Lili recently published a guide to snake body language that shows much more nuance.  If Emory the rat snake has twitchy movements, an s-shaped neck, or tight coils around my arm, I know that she's starting to get uncomfortable. I should give her a break so she doesn't feel the need to escalate to hissing or striking. Being able to respond to her "whispers" of discomfort keeps me safe from bites and respects her feelings.

Shipping live worms can get expensive. Especially when we need a re-supply in the middle of winter when heat packs add to the shipping cost. That's why I decided to try raising my own mealworm colony this year. It has taken trial and error to figure out a system to keep worms and pupae safe from the voracious adult beetles.  This week I checked on a bin with a post-it note labeled "Teeny Mealworms, egg sifted 3/16/26." I was delighted to see hoards of little wiggling worms. At about two months old, the worms were finally big enough to feed to our tree frog! Yum!