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Humidity Control
Emory’s cloudy eyes indicate she is preparing to shed her skin. When Emory, the Great Plains Rat Snake, had cloudy eyes last week, I set...
Haley Selen
Jun 23, 20171 min read
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Uropygial Gland
Do you ever see something so odd that you just can’t look away? I recently had that experience with a Barred Owl’s uropygial gland. This...
Haley Selen
Jun 16, 20171 min read
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Carson’s Molt
All of the birds have started their annual molt in the last few weeks. With thousands of feathers to replace, the process can take...
Haley Selen
Jun 9, 20171 min read
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Birdathon!
Many would be surprised to learn that I used to be afraid of birds, mostly because I watched Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” at a young,...
Haley Selen
Jun 2, 20172 min read
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Digging
Digger, the Western Hognose Snake Of all the animals in the Museum’s living collection, Digger has the most fitting name. This Western...
Haley Selen
May 26, 20171 min read
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Sunshine
Last week felt like a good chance to try something new with Carson. She has been doing very well coming outside with me and is even...
Haley Selen
May 19, 20171 min read
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Sticks
Carson holding on to one of her sticks. Even through the ice and snow last week, birds can sense that it’s spring. There seem to be more...
Haley Selen
May 6, 20171 min read
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Putting the “Tiger” in Tiger Salamander
Tiger Salamanders, one of seven salamander species found in Wisconsin, are named for their black and yellow markings that sometimes...
Haley Selen
Apr 28, 20171 min read
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Vocal
Our Red-tailed Hawk, Carson, has been very vocal lately. When I enter the mew, she often grumbles and squawks. And every once in a while,...
Haley Selen
Apr 21, 20171 min read
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Enrichment
To maintain healthy birds in captivity, we encourage natural behaviors to keep their minds and bodies active. Most of a wild raptor’s day...
Haley Selen
Apr 7, 20171 min read
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Shed!
I normally write about our mew residents in “News from the Mews,” but this non-feathered member of our Living Collections is just too...
Haley Selen
Mar 31, 20171 min read
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Weights
Animals are amazing actors with the ability to mask injuries and illness. They want to hide any weakness from potential predators or...
Haley Selen
Mar 24, 20171 min read
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Beak Styles
It had been three months since Aldo’s beak was last trimmed and it was clear he needed another touch-up. The tip of the beak had grown...
Haley Selen
Mar 10, 20171 min read
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Plumage
Last time Aldo was inside due to cold temperatures, he spent some quality time in my office. He kept busy by watching visitors pass by in...
Haley Selen
Mar 3, 20171 min read
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Mew Remodeling
Carson’s mew has had quite the makeover this winter with the help of several volunteers. Her hutch was reinstalled in the fall as a wind...
Haley Selen
Feb 17, 20171 min read
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Splish Splash
I offered Aldo a pan of water when he was inside last week and he took advantage of it right away! Bathing improves their feather...
Haley Selen
Feb 10, 20171 min read
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Early Nesters
Adult Great Horned Owl with chick in a nest near Madison. Photo by John Kees. Early nesters like Great Horned Owls face a number of...
Haley Selen
Jan 27, 20171 min read
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Who’s awake?
Deep in the middle of winter, Great Horned Owls are already planning for chicks. Pairs begin singing duets in November to strengthen...
Haley Selen
Jan 20, 20171 min read
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Haley Selen
Jan 6, 20170 min read
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Insulation
The floor of the classroom was covered in tiny white feathers after Carson’s sojourn there last week during the cold weather. As I tried...
Haley Selen
Dec 30, 20161 min read
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