Most spring and summer babies have been born, so there aren’t a lot more birthdays to celebrate (except mine!). Young birds have hatched, but they may just now be “fledging,” or leaving the nest and exploring the world around them. Fledglings may still have a few downy feathers on their crown (a la Bernie Sanders), but otherwise may appear to be adults. As mentioned in a previous post, fledglings have short, stubby tails compared to their parents. [Read more…]
Wild Animal Babies of the Month: June
Wild Babies of the Month: June
Wild baby arrivals begin to slow down in June, as hot and dry weather arrives in Central Oregon. Goldfinches will have their first hatchlings this month, as well as Douglas Squirrels, one of our smaller tree squirrel species that reside primarily in the mountains, also known as pine squirrels or chickarees. While Douglas Squirrels might get a later start than our other small mammals, they will still have time to raise a second litter in October! Another Central Oregonian who raises a second set of wild babies, the Song Sparrow, will be hatching their second nest of the season this month.
Pygmy rabbits, a scarce and vulnerable sagebrush-dependent species, are avidly digging burrows in which to raise their young. These small lagomorphs are federally endangered in the state of Washington, and a conservation focus here in Oregon. They are unique in that they dig a “natal burrow” separate from their residential burrow, but like other rabbits, they only visit their young once or twice a day to nurse. This helps reduce the chance of a predator finding the nest!
Another important mammal in our ecosystem is having wild babies this month–the bat! Although we may not have the large, charismatically fox-faced fruit bats, did you know that there are 15 species of bats native to Oregon? All of these bats feed on insects like mosquitoes, spiders, beetles, and moths. Some nest in caves, but surprisingly many nest in our plentiful lava rock and other rock formations. They form maternity or nursery colonies and even help nurse each other’s young while mothers are foraging. Hoary bats and Silver-haired bats often bear twins! Please try not to disturb these small families whenever possible. Call Think Wild’s Wildlife Hotline for guidance if you do find yourself in conflict with our native pest-controllers, at 541.241.8680.
Written by: Lindsay Magill
Sources:
https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article/87/5/921/900776
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/learning/nature-science/?cid=stelprdb5274949
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/learning/nature-science/?cid=stelprdb5275105
Acclimating your Exotic Pet to the Scale
One of the first and most important things we do at your exotic pet’s veterinary exam is take an accurate weight. This is a great way to monitor an animal’s health, and it’s something you can do at home too! If you notice any significant changes in your pet’s weight, it can indicate the need for a visit to your local exotics vet for a checkup. Taking steps like this at home allows us to provide a more thorough and Fear Free visit for your companion. [Read more…]
Preparing for Your Bird’s First Veterinary Visit
When was the last time you brought your pet bird in for a checkup? While we recommend annual Wellness Exams for our avian pets, the prospect of transporting your flighted friend to a new and strange place can be overwhelming for owners. How can you make your bird’s first field trip a successful one? Here are a few easy steps to help your bird have a positive Fear Free visit. [Read more…]
Avian Care & Husbandry
Exotic birds are one of our greatest fascinations. These majestic and intelligent creatures have become beloved family members for many and often live to surpass their owners. Some species of birds have lifespans of over 50 years. Exotic birds have not been domesticated as long or as commonly as many other species. We need to ensure we are doing our part to support their primitive needs.
Many bird owners acquire incorrect information from pet stores and mainstream media only to find out later that they have not been supporting their bird’s system and lifestyle well enough. One of the most common areas we see this is with diet and husbandry. [Read more…]
