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Releases and “firsts”

7/1/2018

2 Comments

 
This week was fairly busy, with seven releases and several intakes, as well: one particularly infuriating intake—not the bird itself but the circumstances.
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First off, the blue jays are released but still showing up to double-team me for handouts. Not a problem, as I adore blue jays!
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​And all five barred owls were released—got short videos of four of them (but YouTube keeps rejecting the first release vid—no clue why); the fifth took off like a shot before I could even focus the camera!
​Not the greatest shot in the world of the grackle, but you can see the growth since last week, and he’s flying beautifully now, as well, so a release is in his very near future.
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A second grackle came in late this week, about a week younger than the fellow above, but he’s having issues standing—nothing broken, everything seems to work, but he’ll just list to the side randomly. He’s currently “nesting” with a mocker, for which I apologize to him profusely at every feeding… No pix of these two; just slipped my mind.
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These red-headed woodpecker nestlings were found after a storm felled the tree their nest was in. One was caught in a crevice and hanging upside down. His little leg looks pretty rough. Nothing is broken but there does seem to be nerve or soft-tissue damage. We’re giving him time to see what happens.
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​The adult GHO the game warden brought week before last did indeed have a nasty fracture. It was not fixable, as it was right in the joint. He was euthanized.
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​This gorgeous swallow-tail kite was somewhat luckier. I knew his wing was broken on intake; I just wasn’t sure how bad the fracture was. When we x-rayed in at Smalley’s, we discovered the reason for the fracture was a pellet. Vet Peggy Hobby and I were furious that anyone would shoot this gorgeous creature, and I will tell you now there’s a special place in hell for the jackass who did. The state and feds have been notified but since he was found on a rural road, the chances of discovering who shot him are slim to none. The good news is Peggy’s fairly sure the bone will heal for flight. He’s the first swallow-tail I’ve had, that I can remember.
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​As far as older guests, the GHO who came in as an eyes-closed downy baby is ready for the flight pen as soon as I can get him out there. I broke my foot when I released the barreds, so I’m limiting my walking as much as possible for a while.
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​The sharpie is good for release and since the release site is on a rural road I can drive to the release site safely with my bum foot; the goal is to release him this week.
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​The red shoulder who came in as a starving fledgling is hale and hearty now and ready for the raptor flight after the GHO finally gets his turn.
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​The probable Coop is looking and sounding pretty darn “Coopy” now.
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​And finally, while this sweet one came in early in the week, I’ve saved him for last because he’s just so adorable.
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Day of intake, 6-26-18
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Today, 7-1-18
​This, folks, is an Eastern kingbird, a member of the flycatcher family. He was a nestling on intake; he’s getting ready to fledge now, just five days later—that gives you an idea of how rapidly songbirds mature—that’s why proper nutrition from the get-go is essential.  He’s the first very young kingbird I remember having, and I’ve been totally captivated by him. Flycatchers as a rule have the sweetest personalities anyway, and then he had all that raptor-like down on intake, which he’s losing now…he’s just precious!
2 Comments
Ann Feldman
7/4/2018 07:58:24 pm

Which metatarsal did you fracture? ;-) Not much you can do except wear a tight sneaker (no stilettos for a while). Just what you needed,eh? We had our after-fledge party at the Arsenal in Central Park. The stats are interesting. My two babies fledged 6/25 and seem to be ok so far, although still making occasional nest visits. Happy Fourth! (Don't climb any monuments.)

Reply
Laurens Wildlife Rescue
7/4/2018 09:37:28 pm

Broke three toes and badly bruised the top of my foot. No doctor visit; no time for that, and I know what to do anyway: "buddy wrap" the fx toes and stay off the foot as much as possible. Yeah, like that'll happen during baby season! I *am* working from my laptop so I can stay on the bed and keep the foot elevated between songbird feedings. Good news on your fledges!

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