From Middle TN Raptor Center

We took advantage of the sunshine today and cleaned and disinfected outdoor enclosures, replaced perching material, scrubbed water dishes, repaired perches, and played musical chairs with birds. Several rehab birds were moved outside to get flight time today since we had 2 releases yesterday that freed up some much needed space! We also rotated a few into larger enclosures so they are one step closer to regaining their freedom. We are pooped.

  • anon6789OP
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    33 hours ago

    Oh, it is spotty like that!

    I really love how most of the owl’s spots are like tiny equilateral triangles.

    I think that’s a dragonfruit though. The passion fruit looks like someone forgot about a hard boiled egg for a really long time.

    Also, like the Snowy Owls, the Barn Owls with more spots are usually the females. The running theory seems to be this is something camouflage related.

    • teft
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      33 hours ago

      It totally is dragon fruit. My mind mixed the two up since I was thinking of the spanish words for them. Pitaya (dragon fruit) and maracuyá (passion fruit).

      • anon6789OP
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        33 hours ago

        maracuyá

        This feels like a fun word to say!

        I didn’t want to come off all “well ackshually…” on you! I’m always overly cautious correcting people, but I assumed that was what you meant.

        • teft
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          21 hour ago

          I don’t ever mind being corrected. It’s how we learn.

          As for maracuyá it really is a fun word to say! Remember to put the stress on the final syllable to really sound like a native speaker.

          • anon6789OP
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            255 minutes ago

            I am always greatful for what a polite community we have!