It was another trauma-filled week at BMW’s Pendleton center. An American Kestrel was found just west of Pendleton. Its right wing had been amputated at the shoulder. The cause of the injury is unknown. It did not appear to have been shot. Euthanasia was the only humane option.

A Northern Saw-whet Owl was found near North Powder, OR with humerus and coracoid  fractures. The tiny owl died from its injuries shortly after admission.

Red-tailed Hawk 23-360, a high risk species for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), was admitted last week and had been quarantined in the Intake Center. She was given supportive care until we received negative HPAI test results. Once in the clinic we could do a more thorough exam. A radiograph showed multiple fractures from being shot. The damage was too extensive to repair and she was euthanized.

Barn Owl 23-352, admitted last week, is out in a fight pen and doing well. After a few more days of flight conditioning she should be ready for release. This is a great example of what we can learn when we band the birds we release. The rehab and banding records told us the owl originally came from a nest in a haystack in Waitsburg, WA. She was raised with her siblings using the hacking method at our Washington facility near the Tri-Cities and was found in a field near Hermiston, OR seven months later. We still do not know what happened to her making her unable to fly. Fortunately she seems to be making a full recovery!

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Thank you for all you do to help BMW care for our native wildlife!