CAPTIVE RAPTOR MANAGEMENT AND REHABILITATION. By Richard Naisbitt and Peter Holz.

2004 1st edition. 4to (224 x 288mm). Pp173, ads. Colour and b/w photographs, illustrations, bibliography. Pictorial laminated boards, issued without a dust-wrapper.

A useful book for the falconer and avian vet, as well as anyone intending to take on injured raptors. Chapters include: Raptor survival strategies - hunting techniques, diet; The injured raptor - source of birds for rehabilitation, housing the injured raptor, enclosure construction, choosing the right rehabilitation method, rehabilitation techniques, review of injuries, consequences and options, aviary exercise (forced exercise), dealing with orphaned raptors, preparing the food, behavioural development, reintroducing orphaned raptors, the starving raptor; Releasing rehabilitated raptors; Monitoring released birds - tracking, transmitters, the failed release; The captive raptor - managing the captive raptor, beak care, feather care, molting, repairing feathers, housing trained raptors; Raptor behaviour and training - motivation, training methods, lure training, unwanted behaviour, weight management during training, improving and maintaining fitness, choosing the right raptor for a demonstration; The raptor aviary - managing the aviary display, designing the aviary, perching, feeding raptors in aviaries, mixing species; Raptor management photo gallery; Raptor medicine - inital first aid, anaesthesia, management of soft tissue injuries, management of orthopaedic injuries, ocular trauma, bumblefoot, trichomoniasis, endoparasitism, ectoparasitism, poisoning, miscellaneous conditions, release conditions; The raptor diet; Equipment - equipment for holding raptors, using hoods, jesses and leashes, swivels, making lures, the creance, perches, using bells. Appendices are: Live food production; Breeding rats and mice; Freezing food before use and using road kills; Putting rehabilitation and foraging in context.