I recently had the privilege of photographing the newest resident at the Feather Rehab Center.
His name is Pirate...and he is awesome! Pirate came to the Feather on Sept 14, 2003 from Shawano WI.
He weighed only 6 lbs and was in bad feather condition. He also had parasites, a swollen elbow, sores on his feet and broken feather on his tail. He has since put on 2 lbs. The parasites are gone but he still has a bad left elbow. His feathers are coming in fairly good but needs a complete molt to be in good feather condition. He eats good, has a heated winter pen and is learning to step up on the glove. The Feather has applied to the US Fish and Wildlife dept for him to be used as an educational bird in programs for the children of Wisconsin to get an up close and personal look at this species.

It has been learned that he was banded on June 5, 1978 somewhere in Wisconsin while he was still in the nest. He has been a bonded bird for at least 20 some years. WOW! Unfortunately though he will never be returned to the wild because of the injury to his elbow. He also has problems with his left eye. It is thought that he sees some light and maybe some objects with his left eye.

If any of you ever get the opportunity to see one of the Feathers programs....Go! He truly is a
magnificent bird. To learn more about the Feather Rehabilitation Center, please visit http://www.thefeather.org/