Page 348 - Hand rearing birds second

338 Hand-Rearing Birds

imprint on the hackbox as its nest. A bird that is imprinted on the box as its home nest will con-
tinue to return for food while exploring the area and attempting to hunt on its own. To this end, a
hackboard or consistent feeding tray is used. Whether it is white or black or a plastic plate or board,
it is important that it be something consistent and recognizable that the young bird will associate
with food, even after the hackbox is opened. The bird will come back less and less as it becomes
competent at hunting

­ Conspecifics­and Feeding­Puppets

In the unfortunate event that none of the above is possible (for example, the nestling is injured and
needs daily medication or bandage changes, there is no way to return the bird to its own or another
nest, or no hackbox is available), hand-rearing will be necessary. Wherever possible through net-
working with others in the area, babies should be placed with conspecifics, because it will help
limit the risk of human imprinting to be with other young of their own kind (Figure 20.3). These
conspecifics can be older, if the single youngster can at least have visual contact with them, even
when actually placing them together would put the nestling at risk. Care should be taken with
accipiters, however, as the much smaller male is at risk of being killed and eaten if placed with
even a slightly older female.
If feeding puppets are available, their use can make a huge difference when used as the young-
sters’ eyes are opening and beginning to focus. Providing 24-hour visual access to the puppet or to
a study skin placed over a bottle of water, or taxidermy mount of an adult, can also be an important
aid in appropriate imprinting (Figure 20.4). Human voices should be kept to a minimum, espe-
cially at feeding time. Even without puppets, “ghost” costumes (shapeless white or camouflage
coverings to hide the human face and form) should be worn for feeding, as well as carefully facing
the very young birds away from the person feeding. See Chapter 15 for more information on avoid-
ing imprinting and habituation, and Chapter 19 for images of feeding puppets.

Diet Recipes

With raptors, there is no substitute for a whole small animal diet. The age of the bird will deter-
mine how much, if any, casting material (bones, fur, feathers) should be given. The species of bird
and its natural diet can help determine a substitute food while in care, but typically quail or mice

Figure 20.3 Young kestrels, and other orphans, benefit from being with conspecifics, despite an age difference.