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Very slow week, rehab-wise

9/25/2012

6 Comments

 
Not that I’m complaining—not a bit! After a hectic baby bird season, slow is good; slow is much appreciated.

The squirrels should be on their way to release this weekend; no updated photos of them, as they’re just too quick these days and it’s not worth the risk of escape before they’re fully ready.

The doves are still in the flight pen and will probably be released within the next week. The slight nerve damage to the Eurasian collared’s foot is proving to be insignificant for him, which is good.  In his photo below, you can see the faint black band that gives his species its name. It will darken as he ages, to become more distinct. They’re flying beautifully, but because doves, as Columbiformes,  are fed and weaned differently than Passerines (most other songbirds), I want to make absolutely sure they’re eating well on their own before they’re released. Currently, I’m still hand-feeding them once a day.

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The only new intake this past week was an adult male black vulture. His left wing had been broken and healed in the wild; unfortunately, the bone had healed at an awkward angle that made it impossible for him to fly.  He had been down a while and was rail-thin, as well, but that we could have corrected with good meals. If he had possessed a decent temperament, he might have been placeable as an educational bird, but he was the most aggressive vulture I’ve ever come across—NOT a good candidate for an ed bird.  We made the decision to euthanize, which is often more difficult for me with vultures than with other birds because of the high level of intelligence you can see in their eyes. I’ll not argue that they’re unattractive birds—although black vultures are actually not that bad-looking—but they make up for lack of looks with high levels of intelligence.

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And the flying squirrel continues to be impossibly cute, as are all flyers, and is growing like a little weed. This week he finally started showing an interest in solid foods, so he’s definitely making progress!

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Finally, last week we had a drizzly, cool day that ended with this gorgeous rainbow—enjoy!

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6 Comments
Ann Feldman
9/24/2012 05:34:38 pm

Amazing that he lived long enough without being able to fly for the wing to actually "heal". Glad you were able to get him and give him a peaceful death instead of his slowly starving to death. I still can't get my head around the incredible first year starvation rate for raptors. But I make peace with it by thinking: maybe one fun summer can be enough.
The flyer is adorable!...Ann

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Laurens Wildlife Rescue
9/24/2012 05:44:55 pm

He was probably (barely) surviving off what little carrion he could manage to find on the ground, poor fellow.

The flyer takes cute to new levels, doesn't he?! I just grin whenever I hear "my" colony outside at night, thinking of all those adorable little rascals gliding about in the darkness.

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Ida Blanche Suskind
9/25/2012 12:25:30 am

Always a pleasure! & May the 'slow period' extend itself a bit!!!

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Laurens Wildlife Rescue
9/25/2012 03:29:49 am

Thank you!

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neener
9/25/2012 07:34:38 am

I am so happy the slow season has extended itself for you! I can only hope you have found a pot o' gold at the end of that rainbow or that people remember that contributions are always needed, gladly accepted, and enormously appreciated!! ( HINT, hint)
The doves look so tranquil I can almost hear them coo-ing. And although I do agree about how vultures aren't the prettiest of birds, you can see the wisdom in their eyes... so sad to survive to adulthood but at least cared for,well fed, and not a slow,horrible death.
I know I will sound like Kiku here... but can I get a 'flyer'?? He is impossibly cute!! :) Alas.. I'm sure the cats would think the same thing, so, you'd better keep him there. :(
Take the time for a restful herbal bubble bath, a cup of tea, and a good read while you can. Time to rehab the rehabber!!

Reply
Laurens Wildlife Rescue
9/25/2012 07:59:55 am

Thanks Neener! No rest for the weary; all my editing jobs seem to've come piling in here at the end of the month, so marathon nights to get as many done as possible before Sunday. That means no pleasure reading yet... But as far as baby season--yeah, getting a break there until spring! For the next few months, aside from late-season flyers, most of my intakes should be adults and juvies--not quite as labor-intensive.

Vultures have very expressive eyes--photos don't do justice to their eyes. And black vultures are actually not all that unattractive; turkey vultures, on the other hand...bless their hearts, they're just plain butt-ugly!

Isn't the flyer adorable?! I swear, I never get over how cute and sweet they are--never! You wanna hear ANY rehabber get all gooey--get one started talking about flyers!

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