The fundraiser is at $1570, with just $430 to go to meet the goal. Many heartfelt thanks to those who’ve donated; for those who’re waiting, now’s the time to make that donation. Waiting for “someone else” to do something usually means it doesn’t get done, so be “someone else” and donate today!
The purported red shoulders who were supposed to arrive last Monday turned out to be a single MIKI (Mississippi kite); his sib died before transport from UGA to LWR. He’s doing well, totally self-feeding now, and is headed to the mini-pen late this week to build up his flight muscles prior to release.
The older MIKI did, as I theorized in last Sunday’s update, require euthanasia. Vet Peggy Hobby of Smalley’s Animal Hospital agreed that he had developed a cataract in his left eye, and recall the right eye had been damaged in what appeared to be a nest injury. A blind bird cannot survive in the wild and cannot self-feed in captivity.
Left eye
Right eye
In better news, the little male red tail had only a minor fracture to his left ulna, so he just needs time to heal. Peggy described it as “wanting to be a fracture”—it’s that minor (I circled it on the x-ray so you can see it). But he has to remain confined until it heals; a minor fracture can easily become a major one if not treated properly. He’s eating well and should be ready for a flight pen within 4-6 weeks, but he’s an extremely unhappy and restless camper and not a single photo of him last week was worth a flyin’ flip.
The female red tail who came in a couple of weeks ago is flying better but still not where she needs to be. Lordamercy, she’s gorgeous, though! I might be a wee bit biased, but I firmly believe red tails are among God’s most perfect creations—and she’s a mighty fine specimen of that perfection.
A third red tail came in last night, another small male. His right wing is broken at the shoulder; I suspect it’s not fixable but will wait for x-rays to confirm. Shoulder fractures can be iffy. He’s pretty thin but his tail feathers aren’t too badly frayed so he hasn’t been down long; the thinness predates the injury.
Breaking the red tail/MIKI cycle LWR’s been in lately, a barred owl also came in last week, with his bell well and truly rung. The feathers on his facial disc that hide his right ear were actually pushed forward from whatever lick he took, leaving his ear bruised and him concussed out the wazoo. Luckily, he had no broken bones, just a lingering massive headache. Within 48 hours he was alert and eating everything offered, so he’ll need a couple of days in the min-pen before the MIKI goes in, to make sure he’s good for release.
That's a very bruised ear...
We have 17 days left in the fundraiser, so if you haven’t donated already, please consider doing so soon—and again, thanks to those who’ve already donated.
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