"Look out into the desert," the announcer told us, "and let's see what might fly in."
We were on day two in Tucson, still at the Sonoran Desert Museum, had taken the desert loop trail, and made it well in time for the morning "Raptor Free Flight," which presents a variety of types of raptors, while the afternoon flight presents family groups of Harris Hawks.
We were presented with 4 birds - this diary will showcase the first two, and tomorrows will present the second two.
Please join me over the jump.
The first bird we saw fly in was the Chihuahuan Raven.
It is the smallest of the ravens. Per Wikipedia, it used to be called the American White Necked Raven, and is about the size of the Carrion Crow.
The free flight was very cool, as the birds flew from location to location - food was set on various spots, for them to fly to - so we saw them perching, eating and flying.
The raven flew off, and our next visitor was a Great Horned Owl.
Look at that head turn! It has to turn, because their eyes don't move within their eye sockets - they turn their heads, instead. Their ears are also set at different locations on their head - they have 'depth perception' of sound, because of this.
Landing (or just taking off?) Their feathers are fluffy, so that they fly quietly (silently, it's said.) This allows them to get their prey even though they aren't as fast as many other raptors.
I played with that one, too.
Eating
A bit of a grumpy look
Showing off its mouthful?
Please tune in tomorrow for more raptors in free flight.
I'll say thanks for the recommends with a preview of tomorrow's Harris Hawk.