It’s not every day you can get up close to birds of prey like a Northern Saw-whet Owl in a store dedicated entirely to birds and bird-related merchandise.
And when you can, if you’re into birds like we are, then you just described bird heaven.
Our favorite wildlife rehabilitator, Christine Peyreigne, a falconer and owner of Christine’s Critters Inc., a Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education non-profit in Weston, Conn. brought seven of her education ambassador birds to Wild Birds Unlimited in Fairfield, Conn. for an ‘Owl Be Home for the Holidays’ day of show and tell.
The owners of Wild Birds Unlimited, Sue and Chris were gracious hosts, and their attentive staff answered questions from visitors about backyard birds throughout the day.
Patrons flocked to the store to catch a glimpse of Christine’s amazing birds of prey that they might only see out in the wild in an up close, intimate setting.
Meet Christine’s Birds of Prey
Christine’s bird ambassadors included:
-Ash, a grey phase Eastern Screech Owl
-Ember, a red phase Eastern Screech Owl
-Magma, a red phase Eastern Screen owl that intoBirds are proud to sponsor for 2019.
-Mr. Higgins, a Northern Saw-whet Owl
-Willow, a Barred Owl
-Cypress, a Barred Owl
-Equinox, a Peregrine Falcon
The special guest at the vent was Equinox, one of Christine’s newest education birds.
It was breathtaking to see Equinox, who as a Peregrine Falcon, is the fastest animal on the planet reaching speeds of up to 200 MPH.
Fast Facts About the World’s Fastest Animal on the Planet
Here are few quick facts about Peregrine Falcons.
-The Peregrine Falcon is perhaps the best hunter of the falcon family. It hunts in wild uplands and rocky coasts, scanning the landscape for prey with its exceptional eyesight.
-The falcon’s eyes are larger and heavier than human eyes and can spot prey on the ground from a height of 985 feet.
-The Peregrine Falcon is a most impressive sight as it hunts down small birds soaring through the sky on broad, pointed wings.
-The force and impact of the peregrine’s breathtaking ‘stoop’ – a sheer, high-speed dive – is often enough to kill a victim outright while still in mid-air.
Read more about Christine’s injured bird of prey here.
Each bird ambassador has its own narrative about how it came into Christine’s care as an injured bird of prey.
And each plays a role as an education ambassador in its second chance at life helping to educate humanity about how we can live in harmony with nature.
Read more about how Christine’s Critters is giving injured birds a second chance at life here.
Wild Birds Unlimited
Christine and her critters are frequent guests at Wild Birds Unlimited in Fairfield, Conn.
If you’re going to be in the area, check the Christine’s Critter’s website schedule and stop by and meet Christine’s bird ambassadors.
Stop by and talk to the staff at Wild Birds Unlimited about attracting birds to your backyard.
Wild Birds Unlimited has everything you need (feeders, bird houses, bird feed) to make your backyard a bird paradise all year round.
Now get out and see birds.