Eagle Identification
There are three Bald Eagles and one Golden Eagle in this photo. Can you pick out the Golden Eagle? Hint: look at the legs. Scroll down for the answer.
Thank You Staff, Volunteers, Interns and Veterinary Partners
BMW has a small staff of two full-time and one-part-time employees. A dedicated group of volunteers help transport birds from throughout eastern Oregon and eastern and central Washington, and an equally dedicated group of college students who work seven days a week for eight weeks to complete internships at the Pendleton center. Together, staff, volunteers, interns and our veterinary partners work to help BMW pursue its mission of preserving native wildlife through rehabilitation, research and education. As admissions approach 1100 (compared to 990 in 2017), I am very grateful for everyone’s efforts.
Below are interns Zabrina from Puerto Rico, Todd from Ohio and Shyla from Massachusetts with Bob.
Thank You and Goodby Todd
Todd completed his eight-week internship this past week and is on his way back to school. We wish you safe travels and the very best as you continue your education. Below, Todd is drawing a blood sample from a Barn Owl.
Update on Bald Eagle 18-380
We transported the eagle to Pendleton Veterinary Clinic, where Dr. Katie Yackley trimmed the exposed bone and freshened and closed the wound. It will look almost like a normal wing once the feathers grow back.
Swainson’s Babies Are Falling From Their Nests
Each spring, Swainson’s Hawks fly from Argentina, where they have spent the winter, to their breeding grounds in the western states. As a result, their young hatch about a month later than those of Red-tailed Hawks. Three Swainson’s nestlings have been admitted in the past two weeks. The first two had wing injuries. The last one had a pelvis issue, but seems to be OK now. The plan is to put them all in a hack box and release them.
Golden Eagle 18-419
Sunday evening, we thought we were done for the day, when volunteer Vanessa, a veterinary technician at the Pet Health Clinic in Sunnyside, WA called. She and her husband were on their way home from a weekend camping trip along the Tucannon River in eastern Washington, when they found a young Golden Eagle in the middle of the road. The eagle seemed uncoordinated and weak. They loaded him into their car and brought him to Pendleton.
We found no injuries during a physical exam. The lead test was negative. The only abnormality seemed to be a strange-smelling oily substance on the feathers on his keel and abdomen. We will give supportive care and hope that he can be quickly reunited with his family. Below, Zabrina holds the eagle as he recovers from anesthesia.
Eagle ID Answer
The Golden Eagle is on the right in the photo at the top of the page. Golden Eagles are booted eagles. Their legs are feathered down to their feet. The lower leg of a Bald Eagle is bare.
