We attempt to gather as much information as possible in order to accurately assess the condition of wildlife brought to BMW for care. This is especially true for small birds such as Dark-eyed Junco 26-022 who weighed 16 grams at admission, slightly more than one-half ounce. Palpating such a small bird is challenging. Observing the bird in the box it arrived in is helpful (and is part of BMW’s intake protocol for all wildlife). 

We noticed a slight droop in the Junco’s right wing. It can be difficult to get a good x-ray on very small birds. In the x-ray below there is a slight asymmetry in the two shoulders. The airsac (black space below the arrows) on the right is slightly smaller than the same space on the left (the bird is on its back). This could indicate swelling in the right shoulder and is consistent with the droopy right wing we noticed initially.  

We opted for cage rest rather than attempting to bandage such a small wing. The Junco will be placed in a small flight pen in about one week for a test flight.

Northern Flicker 26-023 was the second admission of the week. It also had a droopy right wing. Asymmetry in the shoulders was detected during a physical exam. An X-ray showed increased density/swelling in the right shoulder. Oblique views of the shoulder showed a fracture of the right scapula. The right shoulder has been immobilized with a figure-8 bandage and body wrap. A rolled up towel in the corner of the Flicker’s cage simulates the trunk of a tree, allowing the flicker (a medium=sized woodpecker) to perch normally.

Saturday was a burn day which allowed the Fire Brigade, Tricia and intern Allison, to make a huge dent in the tumbleweed population!

A starving, young Western Screech Owl was the first admission of the week. The young owl was 50% underweight and we were unable to save it. Next was Great Horned Owl 26-019 who was struck by a vehicle. The damage could not be repaired and the owl was euthanized. 

The third admission of the week was Cooper’s Hawk 26-020 who died soon after admission. The hawk appeared to have been involved in a collision, perhaps with a window or car. We are not sure.

And finally, young Western Screech Owl 26-021 who was favoring its left leg. An x-ray showed increased density in the left hip. We are hoping the injury will heal with cage rest and tincture of time. The little guy has an excellent appetite, eating two or three mice each day!

Neighborhood birds are singing enthusiastically in anticipation of spring. BMW welcomed intern Allison who flew in from Wisconsin with a minor delay in Chicago due to weather-related issues. She wasted no time in getting to work! Allison’s goals include learning as much as she can in order to one day open a rehabilitation facility. 

There was one admission this past week, Rock Dove 26-017 with a fractured humerus. Although the fracture could not be repaired, the performance of a complete exam allowed confirmation of our initial assessment that the bird was badly injured and euthanasia was the humane option. In addition to showing the bird’s entire body, the x-ray below shows the contents of the crop, the wing fracture, swelling on the left side, the bird’s gizzard full of grit and an egg that was about to be laid! 

Thank you to all who support Blue Mountain Wildlife with your kind words and deeds and generous donations. We make an awesome team!!!  

Rainy, the newest member of the Education Team, thinks its spring and has scraped a depression in the ground for her nest. She is a Gyrfalcon/Peregrine Falcon hybrid, so nesting on the ground is natural. There aren’t many trees in the arctic where Gyrfalcons nest. Peregrine Falcons nest on rocky cliff ledges.

The nest is visible just above her right wing. She is mantling to protect her breakfast, a coturnix quail. Sharing food is not something Rainy does willingly!!!

Red-tailed Hawk 26-016 was found near Union in eastern Oregon. X-rays taken during her exam showed wing and leg fractures from being shot. The metal fragments are difficult see, but the shattered bones are consistent with damage caused by a projectile. The damage could not be repaired and the hawk was euthanized.

On Friday we welcomed intern Sara. She is from Happy Valley, OR. Her goals include a career in wildlife care and rehabilitation. We anticipate the arrival of intern Allison sometime today, Sunday. She flew from Wisconsin to Chicago on Saturday, but her flight to Portland was delayed. She has now landed in Portland and, with luck, will be in Pendleton later today. 

Rainy and her breakfast…

The past week brought three small raptors to the clinic. Due to their diminutive size, people sometimes think they are babies. If a bird is fully feathered, it is also fully grown. If it is a fledgling, it’s tail feathers will be shorter than adult tail feathers and it may not fly or land well. Both take practice! 

Merlin 26-011 weighed 169 grams at admission and was fully feathered. An average weight is 213 grams or 7.6 ounces. The small falcon was 20% underweight. It had collided with something, fracturing its right humerus and dislocating the right elbow. The injuries could not be repaired and the bird was euthanized. 

Northern Pygmy Owl 26-012 weighed 51 grams (less than 2 ounces) at admission and was a fully feathered adult. An average adult weight is 62 grams so this tiny raptor was nearly 20% underweight. An x-ray showed its left humerus was fractured. Again, the damage could not be repaired.

Western Screech Owl 26-013 weighed 182 grams at admission. Screech Owl weights can vary. We have admitted 250 gram owls. Perhaps this was a male owl (male raptors tend to be smaller than female raptors). Sadly, he had collided with something hard enough to dislocate his left shoulder. The joint displacement and swelling was so severe the left wing could not be fully extended when positioning for the x-ray. There was little hope he would ever fly again. 

The first photo below shows the displacement and swelling of the shoulder. The second photo compares the right and left scapulas. The orientation of the right scapula is normal. The left scapula is displaced. The large white mass in the lower abdomen is a pellet that is almost ready to be cast (regurgitated). All raptors expel the non-digestible parts of their meal in this manner. A useful way to reduce the amount of energy needed to fly.

It was a sad week, but we know spring and a new hospital are on the way. Thank you for your support on this journey.