It appears that between HPAI and astronomical gas prices, the intakes are slow this year. I’d been inclined to blame unreported/unnoticed cases of HPAI initially, but given the volume of calls LWR receives weekly with no messages left when callers hear MY voicemail message stating they must deliver the bird to LWR, I think, too, people just can’t afford to drive the sometimes 100 miles one-way to deliver the birds. And with higher prices for everything needed to care for the birds that DO come in, it’s probably a good thing intakes are lower than usual. I know some of my colleagues in more urban areas, where distances are shorter so gas isn’t as major an issue, are struggling with the sheer volume of their intakes.
Only one new intake last week, an adult Mississippi kite. The finder saw him grounded in a field he was plowing; according to his mother, who brought the bird, there was a power line over the field near where the bird was found. Given that his right wing was nearly sheared off, with only a few tendons and bits of skin keeping it attached to the body, it seems likely he hit the power line with that wing. Humane euthanasia was the only option for this gorgeous bird.
Only one new intake last week, an adult Mississippi kite. The finder saw him grounded in a field he was plowing; according to his mother, who brought the bird, there was a power line over the field near where the bird was found. Given that his right wing was nearly sheared off, with only a few tendons and bits of skin keeping it attached to the body, it seems likely he hit the power line with that wing. Humane euthanasia was the only option for this gorgeous bird.
The screech is slated for release this week; now that the head trauma is fully resolved, he’s getting antsy...although you’d never know it from his pictures...
I may end up having to move the mini-pen red shoulders in with the main flight trio so I have room to move the vulture outside, as he’s outgrowing his box. The red shoulders have a call-and-response screamfest daily anyway, so if they’re together, they can scream away “in person.”
The mini-pen trio tend to vary their defensive positions when I go in to feed them.
The mini-pen trio tend to vary their defensive positions when I go in to feed them.
The main flight trio assume essentially the same positions every. single. time. I walk in to feed them...
And the vulture immediately goes defensive when he sees the camera. I’ve never had a camera-shy young vulture before—usually they practically pose for the camera!
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