Common Loon with a broken wing

Last week, the care center temporarily took in a Common Loon with a broken wing. Our facility is not equipped to provide long-term care for diving birds, so staff have since transferred the loon to the Wildlife Center of the North Coast. Located in Astoria, Ore., the coastal facility is run by Sharnelle Fee, a past Portland Audubon volunteer.

The care center was actually the second of three facilities to take in the bird on its path to recovery. Badger Run Wildlife Rehab of Klamath Falls brought the injured bird in from the wild; two men who were dropping off another injured animal at Badger Run happened to be heading back to Portland that day, and they volunteered to drive the loon to us. Portland Audubon staff then drove the bird to Astoria. Nice teamwork!

During its time at the care center, the loon stayed in a trampoline-like sling that protected its feet. Loons only come ashore to nest and their feet are adapted to life in the water, which means they have real problems with walking and standing on hard surfaces. At the Wildlife Center of the North Coast, the loon's recovery area includes a deep pool -- perfect for a diving bird and its land-averse feet.