Successful Rehabilitation of A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

The Great Blue Heron is the largest species in the Ardeidae family in North America. This magnificent bird can be spotted hunting fish and other small animals such as salamanders, rodents and small mammals in the many marshes and estuaries on Long Island. Both Nassau and Suffolk County provide a spectacular habitat for this 5 pound plus bird.

Recently Volunteers for Wildlife received a call from Dr. Ellen Leonhardt's office at Animal General of East Norwich about a Great Blue Heron in need of rehabilitation. The bird was brought to her office by a good Samaritan that found this large awkward bird in his yard. After an initial examination Dr. Leonhardt and her staff determined that the young bird was shot with a bee bee gun and had a bullet under the surface of his skin on his neck. Additionally radiographs showed an ulna fracture. The doctor brought the bird to surgery to remove the bullet and called our office to continue with his care.

As with all of our patients, upon arrival at the Wildlife Hospital, an examination was performed. It was determined that the Heron required a bandage for his fractured bone. We wrapped the injured wing and began a regiment of feedings and antibiotics to prevent infection.

Each day this beautiful bird got stronger and healthier. His recovery went smoothly as we kept him in a quiet calm location on the grounds of the facility. The Heron's voracious appetite was satisfied with capelin fish and spearing. After two weeks of having a bandage on his wing, we removed the wrap and allowed for him to strengthen the muscles on his injured appendage. Soon after he was roosting in his aviary and flying short distances.

On November 4th, the Great Blue Heron returned to the wild at a salt marsh in Cold Spring Harbor on the North Shore of Long Island. VW Volunteer, Erica Cirino, joined us at the release to see the heron off and snap some photographs of the event.