Rehab & Release
SOAR provides care for well over 300 birds each year that have been injured or orphaned, primarily from western Iowa.
Beak Issues
SOAR has admitted two bald eagles in 2019 that have beak damage. Update: Both these bald eagles were released in April 2020! Did you know that like our fingernails, the outer portion of a bird’s beak is made of keratin and is always growing. The keratin covers the bony structure of the maxilla (upper jaw)
Still busy here, a few updates
Some businesses have peak busy times and slow times. The business of wildlife rehabilitation is a constant busy. (long post warning… but you’ll want to read clear to the end) Thirty raptors were admitted to SOAR from 1 September to 4 October 2019. The admits included 9 bald eagles, 3 barred owls, 1 broad-winged hawk,
The story of four hatch-year 2019 bald eagles
From admit to soft release: the story of D33, DN9, Allamakee, and Calmar These hatch-year 2019 (HY19) bald eagles were admitted separately, but soon were on the same rehabilitation plan. D33 was admitted 5 June 2019 – This HY19 bald eagle is from the nest near the Decorah Fish Hatchery and famous from the Raptor
Banding birds vs telemetry
Because of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and associated regulations, all bird banding is done under a Federal Banding and Marking Permit from the US Geological Survey. The permit outlines allowed species and activities (what are you trying to learn), as well as all the individuals allowed to help with that project. All bird banding
Releases to help with research
The Midwest Bald Eagle Telemetry Study Bald eagle populations have increased dramatically over the past 30 years across North America. The Upper Midwest, which houses one of the densest populations of bald eagles in North America, has experienced dramatic increases in the number of breeding and wintering eagles since the 1970s. For example, In 2014,
Food Storage Building
Construction projects always take longer than anticipated! Progress is being made on the much-needed food storage building at SOAR. The location for the food shed has been cleared of overhanging trees. The location leveled and graveled. A 12′ x 28′ storage building was brought in. The interior insulation and wall covering are about complete! Next
Change of scenery
The hatch-year 2019 bald eagles in the nursery have moved to the 20’x60’ flight pen! D33, DN9, Allamakee, and Calmar moved on 23 July and can now “start their engines” so to speak. This flight pen is large enough to allow for those necessary short flights that build muscle, stamina, and skill in landing. (Would
Q&A: raptor admits, releases, and more
When is SOAR going to release the Decorah area eaglets? How does SOAR evaluate patients for release? How do these birds fit back into the environment? First, we should talk about how sick and injured raptors get to SOAR! SOAR receives the injured birds (usually after several phone calls, text messages, and photos to assess
Thanks to a ‘village,’ female bald eagle flies free again
An adult bald eagle admitted 15 February 2019 to SOAR was reported to Winneshiek County (Iowa) dispatch by MANY people driving Pole Line Road west of Decorah. Thank you to everyone for caring enough to make a phone call. On 27 June 2019, this bald eagle was released in Winneshiek County to fly wild once
Determining Gender in Bald Eagles
As part of ongoing data collection looking at bald eagles and lead exposure in birds admitted to wildlife rehabilitators in Iowa, SOAR started collecting beak depth measurements. A research paper from Garcelon et al (Journal of Wildlife Management 49(3):1985) is the basis for SOAR to use beak depth measurement for a gender determination. The Garcelon