Mestaae, TRC’s education Eastern screech-owl, had the
opportunity to practice her “prey-grabbing” skills recently. Though the education birds at TRC do not have
to secure their own prey “meals” as do their wild cousins, it is still
important to keep their minds and bodies active. An enrichment toy - in this case, a small, knotted
coil of the natural fiber rope used on their perches - was given to
Mestaae. Over the course of a couple of
days, she manipulated it with her feet and beak, much as she would if it were a
mouse or other prey item.
It took training to help Mestaae be comfortable with the
enrichment toy. There is always learning
happening at TRC – for the birds, as well as the public!
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