You’ve read in this space before that wildlife rehab provides the highest of highs and lowest of lows, often in the same day—well, this week certainly had its fair share of highs and lows.
Let’s start with a high: a long-awaited release…or three. Yep, the barnies have flown the coop! Take a look at those gorgeous babies enjoying their first unfettered flights!
Let’s start with a high: a long-awaited release…or three. Yep, the barnies have flown the coop! Take a look at those gorgeous babies enjoying their first unfettered flights!
The crows didn’t harass barnies 2 and 3 for very long—maybe five minutes or so—and it wasn’t a wholesale mobbing, just two or three crows being typical loudmouthed corvids.
The barred owl that recovered from pretty severe head trauma was also released. Honestly, his release initially looked to be a bust; he flew straight to the ground and sat there. After a bit, though, he flew into the woods, then back across in front of the car to land on a pine stump, and from there into the woods behind the car, at which point he disappeared from sight.
The barred owl that recovered from pretty severe head trauma was also released. Honestly, his release initially looked to be a bust; he flew straight to the ground and sat there. After a bit, though, he flew into the woods, then back across in front of the car to land on a pine stump, and from there into the woods behind the car, at which point he disappeared from sight.
Actually, it was apparently barred owl week at LWR. To “replace” the released barred, three new ones came in: two adults and a downy baby.
One of the adults had an open wing fracture and was immediately euthanized.
One of the adults had an open wing fracture and was immediately euthanized.
The other just came in today with a massive concussion but no apparent fractures.
The downy barred is probably about three weeks old and fell from the top of a pine tree, according to his rescuers. He’s eating well and casting pellets like a pro!
There was also a “mini-run” on red shoulders, with two intakes from that species. The first had a mid-bone right wing fracture. Because it wasn’t badly displaced and the ends of the bone were still (barely) attached, vet Peggy Hobby of Smalley’s Animal Hospital and I opted to give this fellow some cage rest and see how he heals. We’re optimistic, as long as he remains a cooperative patient. So far, so good!
The second RS wasn’t as lucky. An intake exam left me unsure if I was feeling a fracture or the head of a dislocated bone, so again, off to Smalley’s we headed. Peggy was also initially confused by the feel of the bone, but x-rays showed an old, badly displaced and badly healed fracture—and a pellet lodged in his body. Yeah, somebody had shot the hawk, and he required euthanasia.
Let me just say for the record that illegality of shooting protected birds aside, it’s my personal, considered opinion that there’s a special place in hell for people who shoot raptors.
Because shooting raptors is illegal, this bird’s x-rays and information were sent to both DNR and FWS; unfortunately, because we don’t actually know when or where the shooting occurred and there are, to our knowledge, no eyewitnesses to the shooting, neither agency has any grounds for an investigation. Sadly, this is too often the case.
Let me just say for the record that illegality of shooting protected birds aside, it’s my personal, considered opinion that there’s a special place in hell for people who shoot raptors.
Because shooting raptors is illegal, this bird’s x-rays and information were sent to both DNR and FWS; unfortunately, because we don’t actually know when or where the shooting occurred and there are, to our knowledge, no eyewitnesses to the shooting, neither agency has any grounds for an investigation. Sadly, this is too often the case.
That's his leg stretched out, not his wing, in this x-ray!
The actual first baby bird of the season—he came in a day before the downy barred—was a nestling mourning dove, yet another victim of clearcutting. He was also fed an inappropriate diet and given water through a straw before reaching LWR, further stacking the odds against him. He was started on meds immediately upon intake, but as of today, it’s not looking good for the sweet little fellow. He’s struggled from day one at LWR, and he seems to be losing ground.
People, PLEASE do NOT feed baby birds UNLESS AND UNTIL you’ve spoken with a rehabber. Doves, especially, require a special diet and feeding technique, and feeding them the wrong food and/or the wrong way can have fatal consequences.
And in another rant-worthy situation, this poor male yellow-bellied sapsucker was found grounded and surrounded by cats, left with no food or water aside from chicken strips for an entire day, fed nothing as far as I could gather the second day, and brought to LWR on the third day: he went from Wednesday to Friday with NO food, water or medical treatment. He didn’t last 24 hours after intake, poor bird.
And in another rant-worthy situation, this poor male yellow-bellied sapsucker was found grounded and surrounded by cats, left with no food or water aside from chicken strips for an entire day, fed nothing as far as I could gather the second day, and brought to LWR on the third day: he went from Wednesday to Friday with NO food, water or medical treatment. He didn’t last 24 hours after intake, poor bird.
Yet again, people, CATS BELONG INDOORS. If you insist on putting both your cats and local wildlife at risk by allowing the cats to roam freely outside, at least have the decency to seek help for cat-attacked wildlife in your yard ASAP, as cats carry bacteria in their saliva and under their claws that is TOXIC to wildlife. Meds need to be started within 12 to 24 hours at the latest; sooner is better.
And while rehabbers DO ask that you not feed wildlife unless instructed to do so by the rehabber, we do NOT advocate allowing ANY songbird to go 48 friggin’ hours without food. Use a little common sense, folks!
This turkey vulture came in yesterday with an open wing fracture; the exposed bone was already turning black, i.e., dying. He was humanely euthanized.
And while rehabbers DO ask that you not feed wildlife unless instructed to do so by the rehabber, we do NOT advocate allowing ANY songbird to go 48 friggin’ hours without food. Use a little common sense, folks!
This turkey vulture came in yesterday with an open wing fracture; the exposed bone was already turning black, i.e., dying. He was humanely euthanized.
And ending with a dose of adorable, the flyers are growing apace and have finally discovered the joys of solid food. By next week they should be in more spacious digs, too, as they’re getting more active and need some legroom.
RSS Feed
