Baby GHOW Followup
Five days after admission, a second x-ray was taken of the nestling Great Horned Owl who fell 35 feet from his nest. The change in bone density is remarkable. It is now apparent that the humerus was fractured near the elbow, the shoulder is damaged and the condition of the wrist is questionable. The owl is starting to use the wing, but his range of motion is compromised.
A Fish (Hook) Story
The Bald Eagle admitted a week ago with a fish hook in his stomach is hook free. The eagle arrived Sunday evening. We began offering chunks of rat that were mostly hide and fur Tuesday evening. Early Thursday morning the eagle cast (regurgitated) a pellet of rat fur with the fish hook inside. He has made slight improvement in his ability to move his feet and legs, but is still unable to stand.
Gunshot Birds in 2016
So far this year, nine raptors have been admitted with gunshot wounds: 3 Bald Eagles, 4 Red-tailed Hawks, 1 Barn Owl and 1 Great Horned Owl. One Bald Eagle and the 4 Red-tailed Hawks came from the Yakima Valley. The last hawk was admitted this past Friday. She was a large, adult female with a brood patch (indicating she was either incubating eggs or brooding young). She was found on the ground at the foot of the nest tree. The nest was very high up in a poplar and it was not possible to see if there were chicks in the nest. The hawk’s right heel joint was shattered and not repairable. She was euthanized.
Below are the radiograph taken during her intake exam and a photo of her brood patch, an area on the breast and abdomen where the feathers are plucked so the bird’s skin will make direct contact with the eggs, keeping them warm and properly hydrated during incubation.
Bald Eagle Number 7
I don’t believe we have ever admitted seven Bald Eagles in one year, let alone in three months. Number seven arrived on Friday. She is a fairly thin adult female. There is a wound on her left elbow and the elbow joint is very swollen. The good news is she was not shot and she is the only one of the seven eagles with no measurable lead in her blood. Hopefully we can get the swelling down in her elbow and then better evaluate the condition of the joint.
Four Bird Releases This Week!
A Red-tailed Hawk was found tangled in a barbed-wire fence the end of February:
A Western Screech Owl tried exploring the chimney of a wood stove. Fortunately the stove was not in use and the owl just needed a few days to regroup:
A Great Horned Owl with an injured eye was found at the Hermiston Agricultural Research Station in January:
A White-crowned Sparrow flew into a window at the Research Station on March 22. I didn’t even try to get a picture of it coming out of the travel box. I knew I would be too slow.
Great Gray Owl Selfie
Spirit has laid her first egg!
