Haley SelenNov 4, 20161 min readNo fearA wise professor once said, “fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself.” I asked the students in my raptor program if they...
Haley SelenOct 28, 20162 min readThe BridgeThe bridge, usually a sound like a click or whistle, is an important part of training with positive reinforcement. You may already be...
Haley SelenOct 21, 20162 min readReading body languageExamples of stress, comfort, and ultimate relaxation in great horned owls. Body language is everything. It tells me when Theo is...
Haley SelenOct 14, 20161 min readTravel cratesThe view inside Theo’s crate. Anytime the birds are in a program or traveling, they rest inside a crate. These custom-made boxes have...
Haley SelenOct 7, 20161 min readInside a training session: Carson’s “Ah ha!” momentI hold the target stick about one foot away from Carson. She steps over to stand next to it. In our previous training sessions, I would...
Haley SelenSep 30, 20161 min readField Trip to Hawk RidgeDuring our Hawk Ridge field trip last week, participants enjoyed good views of sharp-shinned hawks, bald eagles, and Lake Superior. As...
Haley SelenSep 23, 20161 min readPeregrine falcons in WisconsinThese four chicks were banded this year at the Madison nest site. (Photo credit: Madison Gas and Electric Company) “Why might a raptor...
Haley SelenSep 16, 20161 min readPositive ReinforcementAldo inspects a bite-size quail tidbit offered on the tip of my finger. There are many ways to teach an animal to do a single behavior,...
Haley SelenSep 9, 20161 min readNew training ideasDan (naturalist at The Raptor Center) practices targeting in a training session with “Strix” the Barred Owl. At The Raptor Center two...
Haley SelenSep 2, 20161 min read“Coping” at The Raptor CenterLike our fingernails, beaks and talons grow continuously. Wild birds have a rough enough lifestyle that they wear down naturally. With an...