1. Release Criteria Medical Environmental Research Learning INstitute

2. Lesson Goals Be able to determine a patients’ readiness for release by the following criteria: Feather Condition Flight Vision Legs and Feet Behavior Positive health scores Medical Environmental Research Learning INstitute

3. Feather Condition  Primaries and Secondaries – lift, propulsion  Retrices – brakes & rudder  Body contour feathers – aerodynamics, communication, camouflage, water repellency  Downy feathers – insulation  Owls – wing tips and silent flight Medical Environmental Research Learning INstitute

4. Preventing Feather Damage Indoors Medical Environmental Research Learning INstitute Proper handling Designing indoor housing Wire cages are not advised. Perch arrangements Protective tail wraps Isolating indoor cages Reducing stress

5. Preventing Feather Damage Outdoors Tracking progress and advancing birds through the rehabilitation process The location of outdoor cages  Traffic, noise The daily routine  Feeding  Cleaning  Exercise Medical Environmental Research Learning INstitute

6. Preventing Feather Damage Outdoors (Cont.) Medical Environmental Research Learning INstitute Outdoor cage design – size, shape, materials Capture techniques & equipment

7. Flight Medical Environmental Research Learning INstitute Wing beats & extension Flight speed and gliding Proper use of the tail Motor coordination Stress vs. other factors Injuries involving joints Feather condition and its impact on flight

8. Vision Medical Environmental Research Learning INstitute Diurnal species Nocturnal species Each patient is an individual Natural History, hunting styles

9. Legs & Feet Medical Environmental Research Learning INstitute Two functional legs and feet Opposability Toe amputations

10. Orphans Medical Environmental Research Learning INstitute Practice prey capture Cage design appropriate “Wild” food items Proper social interaction Limited caretaker contact

11. Behavior Medical Environmental Research Learning INstitute Normal behavior towards con-specifics No food begging No aggressive behavior towards humans Evasive behavior near human Consider the age

12. Physical condition Medical Environmental Research Learning INstitute Functional beak Evacuate cloaca Preen feathers Waterproof plumage Wounds

13. Conditioning Medical Environmental Research Learning INstitute Complete X cage flights Gliding speed where appropriate Reach high perches Maneuverability

14. Health Scores Medical Environmental Research Learning INstitute Weight Keel Score Fat score Parasites PCV/TP

15. Questions? Medical Environmental Research Learning INstitute Carolina Raptor Center P.O. Box 16443 Charlotte, NC 28297 704-875-6521