A few weeks ago, we received a call from someone whose cat had caught a Mourning Dove, rendering it unable to fly. Even without an obvious injury, any animal that has been caught by a cat needs to be admitted for antibiotics, as cats have a bacteria in their saliva that can get into the bloodstream of their prey.

(See this PDF for more information)

When the bird arrived, I immediately noticed a tremendous amount of swelling in this little fledgling's left wing. After administering a dose of pain medication, I was even more concerned to see that this little guy had also suffered a crop tear. (The crop is the part of a bird where they store food, prior to digestion). However, it seemed that this injury was on its way to healing, which made me curious as to when this happened. I spoke further with the donor, and it turned out the cat had caught the bird about 4 days before. Since the crop was almost healed, and learning that the injury was almost a week old, I cleaned the area up and set the bird up for cage rest, but was still very guarded for this little patient.

Over the course of the next week, he grew stronger and feistier. Mourning doves are amazing birds; I have seen them overcome some very horrific injuries (hawk attacks, cat attacks, being hit by cars). For such a small bird, they certainly can overcome, so each day I grew more hopeful for this little guy.

On Monday, we came in to a bird that refused to be caged any longer. After giving him a few days in an outside aviary to strengthen his muscles, I am thrilled to say that he was released yesterday:

I wish I could have gotten a photo of him flying away, as he did so beautifully, but he was one wild bird that flew 60 feet into the air to the highest point, where no one or nothing could get him. The above photo is one I took inside the aviary, before he was released.

I couldn't have asked for a better moment.

The Tale of a Hobbly Heron

On July 13th, 2010 we received a call on our Wildlife Advisory Telephone regarding a young heron that appeared to have an injured leg. The young heron was brought to our hospital later that day. The heron turned out to be a nestling Green Heron!

As the caller described, the young bird did appear to have a leg injury. We observed for a moment as he stumbled across the floor, holding the leg straight behind him. Surprisingly, no fractures or dislocations were palpated on examination. We decided x-rays were in order and sent the heron for a quick visit with one of our wonderful cooperating veterinarians to determine the cause of the injury. Luckily, the veterinarian confirmed there were no fractures to the bird's thin legs. She suggested it was possible that it may be a congenital defect or infection but luckily for the heron, he did have sensation in his foot and leg and was able to grip. But, only time would tell if he would recover enough use of the leg to function in the wild.

We put the heron on a course of treatment including an antibiotic and homeopathy. Little by little, he gained more function in his leg and began to use it for short periods of time. After ten days of force feeding, the vivacious little heron began to eat small fish pieces on his own and was grasping branches for short periods of time. We began to offer him live killy fish and he quickly began cathing them one by one. After several days outside in a transitional aviary where he was able to test his flight and grip well onto branches, the Green Heron was ready for release!

On August 8th, accompanied by several staff members, the Heron was brought to the pond at Lloyd Harbor Village Park for release. The park was chosen as a release site because it hosts a large natural supply of fish and many low lying branches to act as a good vantage point for him to hunt. Clinic Assistant, Susan, held the heron to let him get his bearings and then in a flash he took off flying beautifully across the pond to a low Maple tree branch. We are thrilled that we were able to give this very young bird another chance at life in the wild!

5 Ducklings are Rescued

About a week ago, we got a telephone call from someone that had been trying to get 5 very small mallard ducklings out of a sewer drain. They were so small, they fell through the holes in the grating. After trying for several hours, they called us to help.

Eileen and her rescue helper/husband, Tom, appeared at the scene with a few nets and a carrier. Pretty quickly, we heard the peeping from below. Eileen checked it out and found 5 tiny ducklings, huddled in the corner.

Although not a very glamerous job, it turned out to not really be that complicated. Lying down with net in hand, Eileen scooped one by one out. The hose in the photo was used to keep the ducklings away from the tunnel in the sewar that ran throughout the sewar system; if the ducklings got in there, they would be out of reach, having access throughout the entire neighborhood.
Of course, as it went on, the latter ones were quicker at getting away.
Eventually, all 5 were safely out of the sewer. Unfortunately, their mom who dutifully stayed by their side for most of the day, had moved on with her other babies. We alerted the homeowner and neighbors to keep an eye out for her so that we could reunite them, but she wasn't spotted again.
So for now, they will grow up at our center. With a healthy fear of humans already instilled in them, once they grow up they will be released back to the
wild.

Release of the Cormorant

On June 21, we got in a young Double-crested Cormorant from a local veterinarian's office, where someone dropped him off due to an injured wing.

Upon examination, we did not find the bird to have any fractures, only some tenderness in his left wing. With supportive care and anti-inflammatory pain medication his injury resolved, and he was ready to be released back to the wild.
Below are photos of his release by Lauren Schulz, our Education Coordinator:



B'Bye!
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Double-crested Cormorants are a common sight on Long Island. You can often see them sunning themselves on buoys and docks, as they are not waterproof the way waterfowl and gulls are. They have a very strong beak that they use when they dive for fish; they do not spear the fish but grab it in their bill. Look closely at photo #1 above; see how it is almost like a hook?

For more information on Double-crested Cormorants, click here.

American Robins flying free!

Last week (July 5th), several of the baby American Robins that were brought to our hospital some weeks back were ready to go. Fully flighted, eating on their own, they no longer wanted to have anything to do with us, which is just what we want to see. Since it was Fourth of July weekend, we waited until the festivities were over to give them the best chance they can have.

Staff and volunteers gathered them up, and being that this group were all from close to where our facility is located, we released them in Caumsett State Historic Park, in the Walled Garden.

As you can see, these birds were ready to be free, as as soon as our hands were opened, they took right off!

(See if you can find them in the photo to the right- click on it to make it bigger if you need to.)

It was a wonderful thing to see them fly away and regain their freedom, and a Happy Independence Day for all!

Belted Kingfisher is released!

On June 25, 2010 we received an admission of an adult Belted Kingfisher that a local homeowner found on her driveway. Right above the bird were two big picture windows that were very reflective of the surrounding trees. It was clear that this little guy hit the window, not realizing it wasn't a throughway.

During the time he was with us, he was rather subdued. He perched well but showed no interest in eating, so he had to be handfed several times a day. (This is normal, as this type of bird dives into the water after fish). However, over the last few days he perked up and started showing more feistiness.
Wanting to wait until the 4th of July festivities were over, we came in today to find a very vocal and active bird.

We brought him back to the harbor where he lives and as you can see from the photos, he was ready to go and thrilled to be free!

Belted Kingfishers are common on Long Island (as well as across North America), often seen perching on electrical lines over water, checking out

what is going on underneath them. They hover above the water before plunging into the water after a fish.

Dining to Donate!

On Wednesday, June 23rd, You can help Volunteers for Wildlife out simply by grabbing a bite to eat! If you dine at/or take out from Applebee's in Miller Place between 12 pm and 10 pm, Ten percent of the proceeds from your order will be donated to Volunteers for Wildlife! You must present this flyer to your server/the take out counter when placing your order. All donated proceeds will go directly towards the care of hundreds of injured and orphaned wildlife patients!