The wild side of Cannon

link Courtesy illustration

Air Commandos may have noticed a warning sign at the Cannon Whispering Winds Golf Course for a bird that normally is not found out here in the west — the Mississippi Kite.

This bird of prey, also known as a raptor, typically eats insects, can be quite aggressive when defending its nest and has been known to dive bomb unsuspecting golfers during its April to August breeding season.

A more common bird that is found at Cannon is the Burrowing Owl. Rodents are the preferred food for this bird of prey. The owl usually hunts in open grassland, which is definitely found in abundance around Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. The Burrowing Owl does not actually dig its own burrows. It does touch up work on holes that are abandoned by other animals. Prairie dogs are the typical home builder for this tiny owl, which explains why it is commonly found living in their areas. Both the Burrowing Owl and Mississippi Kite are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act as passed by Congress. This act was originally a treaty between the United States and Great Britain, later with Mexico, Japan and the Soviet Union.

The Lesser Prairie Chicken is not found at Cannon, but has been seen in the recent past at Melrose Air Force Range. This seldom seen bird was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in March 2014; threatened is just one step below endangered.

Another unique animal found in the Cannon area is the Texas Horned Lizard. This reptile is otherwise known by its more common incorrect name — the horned toad. The Texas Horned Lizard is not an amphibian as it is commonly found in dry areas; toads and other amphibians need to live in wet areas such as ponds and marshes. The lizard is protected by both the state of Texas and New Mexico. It can shoot blood from its eyes if it feels threatened, so please leave it alone.

The Bobcat is found throughout the United States, including New Mexico - which considers it to be a Protected Game animal. These cats are found on Melrose, but none have been seen near Cannon. Bobcats typically eat rabbits, birds, mice and squirrels. They are approximately twice the size of an average housecat and are solitary animals. Females choose a secluded den to raise a litter of one to six young kittens, which will remain with their mother for 9 to 12 months.

These five animals are just an example of the wildlife that surrounds us in the Eastern New Mexico region. The New Mexico Department of Fish and Gameis a good resource for more information regarding local wildlife and hunting.

The most important thing to remember is that these wild animals are just that — wild. They should be left alone and in their natural habitats. If you see or find any of these critters where they should not be, you can call Cannon’s Entomology shop at 575-784-2439; they are properly trained to safely handle and relocate wildlife.