We have had several new patients. Some have already come and gone and I didn't get pic's, but I'll fill everyone in anyway.
Some people dropped off some finches, two different ones from different people, at my vet's office in Payson. One, a House finch, had some eye crusties and was missing his tail. My vet gave him some eye drops and started antibiotics. We finished with those and waited a few more days until his tail had a good start and he flew away today.
The other little guy didn't fare so well. He was found on the ground in Utah county not acting right. He never did act "right", but despite our efforts, died. He was a little Pine Siskin and was very young.
Horizon, the golden eagle we have posted about several times now, will be having surgery to remove her left eye. Our "eye" vet and my wildlife vet will coordinate their schedules and the surgery will take place at our vet's office in Payson, Utah. I'm so grateful to them both for this opportunity. She is staying low in the flight, not getting up on perches and that is concerning. I know she is still adjusting to this and there is more to come for her. We will take care of her and hope this is the best thing for HER. Her wing looks perfect and at this point, you can't tell there was ever a compound fracture.
She is hanging out with Ivie. We finally were able to hook up with Best Friends and we brought Ivie home. They don't seem to really care for each other, nothing aggressive, they just sort of ignore each other. Unfortunately, it looks as though Ivie is not going to be releasable. She just couldn't pull off getting to the high perches in the flight at Best Friends. I was hoping, but it has to be perfect or she will not survive out there. So now we are trying to work out placement, which won't be a problem. She has the desire and fight that needs to be free, like they all should, but in the situation she will be placed, she will do well, living with other flighted eagles like herself.
We also had an adult Peregrine falcon come in with horrible injuries and very bloody as a result. Thankfully, that day, I was headed into Salt Lake anyway, so I called my vet and brought the bird up immediately. Unfortunately, he died during surgery. My heart aches for him and I'm sure he has a mate and a nest at this time. Depending on the nest, if just eggs or even small babies, his mate will probably abandon without his help. If there are babies and they are older, I don't know if she would continue to care or should I say, could continue to care for them.
The little sharp-shinned hawk, we determined could not be released,
however, a strange and wonderful opportunity came up, just perfect for him. He is now in New York at Cornell University as part of their breeding program for sharp-shinned hawks and all future babies he and his new mate raise will be released back into the wild. YEAH!!! It's not perfect, but close enough, considering the other option! All of this transpired very quickly and the approval was given in record time. I'm very happy for him and his new mate. That's 3 birds of ours now living in New York.We are also hand feeding two nestling starling chicks that fell from their nests. They are not related, but are now nest mates. I'm glad they have each other!
Last, we have two new baby Great Horned owls.
They came from different areas and one is slightly older than the other which means bigger, but it's all working out well. In a few days, they will be moved outside and given a 'false' nest and branches, sort of mimicking a tree. They are both so darn cute!
OK, now I need to get to the pictures and go to bed, so that's all for now.
Debbie
