The Oregon Wildlife Rehabilitation Association sponsored a virtual conference this past weekend with many interesting speakers. There were opportunities to network with rehabbers from throughout the state as well as regulation updates from state and federal wildlife officials. We learned techniques for raising and releasing heathy songbirds, tips on creating and maintaining an internship program, how we can contribute to a study of leptospirosis in wildlife and information about an OSU research project to determine how widespread COVID-19 virus is in wildlife.

Otherwise, the week was slow with just three admissions, a Northern Saw-whet Owl and two American Kestrels. All were victims of a collision, either with a vehicle or window. The owl died of a brain injury. Kestrel 23-349 had a broken back and dislocated left scapula and also died of his injuries. We are hopeful American Kestrel 23-348 will recover, but there is damage in his right wrist. A joint injury is never good. He is eating well and has his wrist immobilized. We are hoping for a full recovery!

It feels like winter has arrived with night time lows in the mid-20’s! There were just two admissions this past week, a field mouse (yes, a mouse) and an American Goldfinch that had been mauled by a cat. The Goldfinch died of its injuries. The mouse was found at a wind project and is doing fine. 

On Saturday and Sunday I attended, virtually, the Washington Wildlife Rehabilitation Association’s 2023 Conference. There were many interesting speakers and topics on two separate tracks. Fortunately all the talks were recorded so I can watch the sessions I missed at a later time. One of my favorite sessions was on doing basic blood work. At BMW we routinely draw a small blood sample from the larger birds (Barn Owl and larger). Knowing the packed cell volume, total protein and differential count of white blood cells are helpful when evaluating a bird’s condition, especially when considered along with a physical exam and radiographs. It was great to have a refresher on doing the differential count.

We received notice that Great Horned Owl 23-338, admitted last week, tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The owl had died a few hours after admission. Barn Owl 23-341 was admitted on Wednesday. It was found in the Heppner area near where the Great Horned Owl was found, so out of an abundance of caution, the Barn Owl was tested for HPAI. They are typically not an HPAI high risk species and it tested negative for the virus.  23-341 had spinal trauma that did not respond to treatment so the owl was euthanized.

Sharp-shinned Hawk with a Ruptured Crop

Sharp-shinned Hawk 23-344 was seen being chased by a larger hawk. In his attempt to evade the larger predator, the Sharpie crashed into the side of a house. The home owner put the injured bird into a box and drove him from La Grande to Pendleton. Sadly, the hawk died within minutes of arrival. A necropsy the next day found bruising on both sides of his chest and a large amount of blood in his lungs and chest cavity. The poor hawk didn’t have a chance. 

Owl/hawk Radiograph

When looking at an x-ray, dense tissue like bone appears white. Less dense tissue like lungs and air sacs (in birds) containing air, appear black. In the x-ray above the owl’s air sacs and lungs are fairly normal. The hawk’s appear white because they are full of blood which is much denser than air.

Our gorgeous fall weather is continuing and migration is in full swing. Four raptors were admitted to the Pendleton center this past week. A Sharp-shinned Hawk and Great Horned Owl died within 24 hours. The hawk had collided with a vehicle or window. A necropsy found a large amount of blood in the lungs. We are not sure why the owl died. It had no obvious fractures and tested negative for lead. We have samples to send off on Monday to test for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. 

Western Screech Owl 23-334

The Screech Owl was found near Lostine, OR. It was likely struck by a vehicle. It’s right eye was collapsed and there were two fractures in the left ulna and a fracture in the left radius very near the wrist. Movement in the wrist joint would be significantly compromised once the fractures healed and the owl would not have been releasable. Euthanasia was the humane option.

RTHA 23-335 

The fourth raptor to be admitted was an emaciated Red-tailed Hawk with a gaping wound under its left eye.  The lower jaw had been fractured and healed with very poor alignment. Again, euthanasia was the most humane option.

Birthday Visit

The week ended on a much happier note. Kenai and his family came to celebrate his birthday by visiting Blue Mountain Wildlife’s education birds.

Typically, BMW admits one or two Common Nighthawks  in August, when the birds are migrating to their wintering grounds in South America. This week a Common Nighthawk was admitted on Tuesday and a Common Poorwill, a slightly smaller and stockier cousin, was admitted on Friday. Both birds were too badly injured to save. 

Harrier Release

Fortunately, the week ended on much happier note with the release of a Northern Harrier. Harriers nest on the ground in open grasslands. In eastern Oregon they sometimes nest in wheat fields. By the time the wheat is ready to harvest, the harriers are able to fly, but still spend time roosting on the ground. That is how Harrier 23-279 came to interact with a combine on August 13. The combine driver knew he had hit something and immediately stopped. The bird was placed in a box and transported to Pendleton.

Initially I was not very optimistic the the hawk would be releasable. There was a lot of soft tissue damage to the leading edge of the wing, but no broken bones. I have learned that mother nature can do amazing things if given a little time. We closed the wounds and applied a moist bandage to immobilize the wing and keep the skin moist.

The hawk was kept in a cage for two weeks and the bandage gradually removed. Then he was moved to a mew where he could begin to exercise. Two weeks later (when the large flight pen was empty) the mew door was opened and he was allowed into the larger space. On October 7, eight weeks after admission the harrier was released.