The 2025 Pendleton Round-Up is over which means planning has begun for the 2026 Round-Up. Blue Mountain Wildlife had a relatively slow week, admitting five migratory birds.
Barn Owl 25-471 had fractures of the tibia and tibiotarsus in both legs. Euthanasia was the only humane option.
Western Screech Owl 25-472 died during transportation to Pendleton from La Grande on the tribal bus. The small owl appeared to have had a head injury.
Adult Bald Eagle 25-473 was found near Richland, OR, a very small town 137 miles southeast of Pendleton. It is truly out in the middle of no where! The finders were unable to catch the eagle, but assured us it could not fly. Tricia drove us to the eagle’s location. We were not able to catch the eagle, but we did watch it fly across a field and land 10 feet up in a tree. Chasing him further seemed pointless so we returned to Pendleton.
The next day an Oregon State Patrol trooper was able to catch the eagle. He drove it to La Grande and put it on the tribal bus to Pendleton. Our exam found no fractures, but there are abnormalities in the lungs. The eagle tested negative for avian influenza. Aspergillosis, a fungal infection, is another possibility. He is responding well to supportive care which includes fluids, antibiotics and anti-fungal medications.
Mourning Dove 25-474 may be the last youngster of the season. It was not able to be returned to its parents. Intern Rachel is feeding it formula and seed three times a day. Columbids, doves and pigeons, aren’t fed in the same manner as songbirds. They reach into their mother’s mouth and eat the “crop milk,” the contents of her crop. Initially it is the sloughed lining of her crop. As the babies grow, it also eats seed that she has eaten. The photos show Rachel tubing the young dove formula and offering a seed cup.
Great Horned Owl 25-476 was found in a chicken coop, having just killed a turkey! Fortunately the owners of the turkey were very understanding and brought the starving owl to the wildlife clinic. We are not sure what happened to the owl that made it unable to catch its food, but an x-ray showed subtle differences between the shoulders. Perhaps there was a collision with something. The owl seems to be responding to treatment.
There has been a gentle rain much of the day as I compose this newsletter, as if to close the chapter on summer and welcome fall.
