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A week of releases

7/22/2012

8 Comments

 
Every bird in the flight pen from the past couple of weeks has now been released! That’s two barn swallows, two cowbirds, four house finches, a blue jay, a red bellied woodpecker, and the adult brown thrasher—all back in the wild where they belong!

Of course, my job doesn’t end with their release, most of the time, since I continue to provide supplemental feedings for one to two weeks after release, until the birds gradually stop coming down to me. For example, the flycatchers, released several weeks ago, have just this past week slowly stopped coming down. I have one who still shows up a couple of times a day, and I hear the other two but they don’t come down any more. And of course, the blue jays will continue to panhandle for weeks to come—remember, they’re “slow to independence,” i.e., shameless little beggars!

Below are a few shots of some of the recent releases, some in the flight pen and some outside. When you’re getting mobbed by over a dozen birds demanding a handout, it’s a bit difficult to snap photos, too!

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Barn swallow
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Mockingbird
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Red bellied woodpecker
The hummer who came in week before last still can’t fly, and the reason remains a mystery. Her wings are still fluttering evenly, but there’s no lift, no matter how hard she tries. She’s totally self-feeding, though, and is doing her best to fly, so we’ll give her more time.

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She’s also molting—how neat is that, to be able to see a hummer molt?!

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This gorgeous young red shoulder was found unnested, with no sign of the nest or parents. A typical loudmouthed red shoulder, he announced his displeasure at being in human hands with ear-piercing shrieks.  Honestly, red shoulder shrieks are at levels OSHA would consider a workplace hazard!

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You can see from this closeup of his left wing that most of his feathers are still partially keratin-encased.

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Songbird “baby season”  is winding to a close, although there should still be a trickle of juveniles coming in over the next few weeks—and having said that, I’ll probably be slammed now with late babies…It’s happened before!

8 Comments
neener
7/22/2012 05:47:58 pm

So happy to hear about all of the new releases. Always nice to return them to where they belong, The hummer is truly a puzzle.. (and maybe a name for it as well?) Possibly the red shoulder parents felt the same way about the shrieks? Just kidding- but maybe ear plugs are recommended before future handling to save your hearing! Keep up the wonderful work!

Reply
Laurens Wildlife Rescue link
7/22/2012 05:53:54 pm

Thanks Neener!

Reply
Ida Blanche Suskind
7/23/2012 02:16:32 am

A real delight with so many patients recovering, packing their bags, and 'taking off'! Those very smart folks hanging around closely enuf
to drop by for a handout! And as always, the photos of these treasures bringing us close to the 'visitors room'!

Reply
Laurens Wildlife Rescue link
7/23/2012 02:37:07 am

Thanks Kiku--glad you're enjoying the photos!

Reply
Wendy
7/23/2012 07:53:36 am

Vonda, what a great joy it must be to see them fly off, healed and happy!
Wasn't there a movie a year ago named "Failure to Launch" about a guy who couldn't leave his parents' house? The little Hummer might be suffering from that!!! Poor thing!
It's always wonderful to read about your work and see the great photos! Thanks for keeping us up to date on the progress of your "patients"!



Reply
Laurens Wildlife Rescue link
7/23/2012 08:05:10 am

Thanks, Wendy; it is indeed a joy to see them back in nature where they belong! I suspect some sort of soft tissue damage on the hummer, which may or may not heal. Only time will tell.

Reply
Jan Buckwald
7/23/2012 10:37:53 am

I love the look on the face of the red-shoulder. Again, Vonda, so grateful for your rehab work, and for posting photos so that we can almost be there. Be well.

Reply
Laurens Wildlife Rescue link
7/23/2012 10:42:47 am

Thanks Jan!

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