Currently in the Wildlife Care Center

Mid afternoon August 9 Multnomah County Deputies brought an injured Red-tailed Hawk into the Wildlife Care Center. The three deputies rescued the bird from NE Marine drive where it had been observed flopping across the road. Presumably the bird had been hit by a moving vehicle.

An initial examination revealed the bird’s legs were paralyzed and he had a cut on one shin. Additionally, the crop (an outpocketing of the esophagus or feeding tube) was full so the bird had eaten recently.  The bird was stabilized in an intensive care incubator and given fluid therapy and anti-inflammatories. Due to the paralysis a spinal trauma is suspected.

 
Unfortunately the Marine Drive Red-tailed Hawk is not better today. We monitor reflexes to see how he’s healing and there has been no improvement in the related reflexes we can check. We’ll continue to treat with anti-inflammatories and supportive care.

Case Update 8/11/2010

The Red-tailed Hawk declined throughout the day yesterday and regrettably died last night.
Our wildlife veterinarian, Deb Sheaffer, performed a necropsy (like an autopsy) on him and found extensive swelling of the lower spine which would have caused the leg paralysis. There was additionally internal bleeding which most likely contributed to his death.

This young Bald Eagle did not leave the nest for days after its sibling had.  Once on the ground, it was captured and brought in to the Wildlife Care Center for care.  The bird was very weak, anemic and emaciated.  It has extensive feather damage – the feather shafts are crusty and eaten away.  We suspect the bird was debilitated by a heavy lice infestation.  Although the eagle is gaining weight and getting stronger, only time will tell if the damaged feather shafts will delay its release and for how long.

*Orphaned baby crow.   How can you tell if a crow is an adult or a youngster? Baby crows have blue eyes – adults have black eyes.  photo: Chelsea Lincoln

*Fledgling Anna’s Hummingbird.  This tiny bird is now eating on it’s own and learning to fly! We hope to release it soon.   photo: Chelsea Lincoln

The Care Center is currently caring for 13 young orphaned barn owls.  Many are currently a large off site flight cage (100x60) learning to hunt for live prey and develop flight coordination.  Raising barn owls isn’t cheap! Each one eats about 4 mice a day and the mice cost $.55 each.  That’s $2.20 per day for up to 3 months! We are often able to release these owls into local natural areas at public releases.  Stay tuned to find out when and where!

In early April a nestling Great Horned Owl was brought into the Wildlife Care Center from  SW  Washington. The homeowners found the dehydrated, somewhat dull baby on the ground. Once in the Wildlife Care Center the young owlet was stabilized in an incubator and treated with fluid therapy. The bird gained strength and after several days in the wildlife hospital we attempted to reunite it with its parents. With the help from Ascending the Giants (professional tree climbers) we placed the baby in an artificial nest 60 feet in the tree it found under.  Great horned owls, like most birds, will continue caring for their young in artificial nests especially if there are siblings still in the area. 

Regrettably, the bird was found on the ground again 2 days later. This time the owlet had suffered a mild head injury and a fracture of the growth plate in one leg so it was once again admitted to the Wildlife Care Center. At this young age birds will readily “imprint” (see article on imprinting) so we fed the youngster with a Great Horned Owl puppet and didn’t let it see humans. We decided to put our education Great Horned Owl, Julio, to work helping to raise the nestling. It worked like a charm - Julio actually ended up feeding her little foster! Julio's hormones must have kicked in and she began answering the babies begging cues.

Unfortunately, as the growth plate fracture healed, part of the bone stopped growing. Consequently the leg became permanently twisted and the owlet could not stand on it. It was a sad day when we had to make the most humane decision to euthanize the owlet.

We are able to provide a place for these and thousands of other injured and orphaned wildlife to recover. If you would like to make a donation to help, please specify your donation is for the Wildlife Care Center.