Irving Berlin in his bath
Aaaaah! Baths are so great! Finally after sitting in my water dish all morning Victoria got the hint that I wanted a real bath and it was awesome!
So much of wildlife rehab is learning as you go. No one ever told me to offer a bird a bath, but as of today I am going to start, Irving Berlin (the Rock Dove or pigeon in the picture) LOVED his bath this morning!
So much of wildlife rehab is learning as you go. No one ever told me to offer a bird a bath, but as of today I am going to start, Irving Berlin (the Rock Dove or pigeon in the picture) LOVED his bath this morning!
Irving was found in a snow drift in early December very weak and thin, about a third of the weight he should have been. He was found to have a bacterial infection in his throat (i.e. a flagellate in his crop) which is commonly found in Rock doves. He was treated with antibiotics and is on his way to getting healthy, gaining over a 100g to reach 230g, but he won't be ready for release until he is 300g...and it is a bit warmer.
When I am in the animal room I leave his door open so he can fly around if he wants. He likes to fly, but he knows that his cage is a safe place and flies back there after a few minutes. So, he goes back and forth all day! He also seems to eat more when I'm around, and is getting calmer when he is handled. We are getting used to each other!
When I am in the animal room I leave his door open so he can fly around if he wants. He likes to fly, but he knows that his cage is a safe place and flies back there after a few minutes. So, he goes back and forth all day! He also seems to eat more when I'm around, and is getting calmer when he is handled. We are getting used to each other!
About to jump out of nest box and attack!
And what about Mrs. Angry hit-by-a-car grey squirrel? She was hit by a car and found by a Good Samaritan. Another Good Samaritan came across the scene and brought her to Wild Things, over an hour away. She was very out of it, but no obvious broken bones. After a week of being treated with anti-inflammatories for any brain swelling, and several weeks to rest, she was ready to go!
I left her with lots of food!
I brought her back to just where she was found. With adult animals it is best to release them where they know and have possible food caches and dens/nests. I hated leaving her in a slightly urban area with streets, etc. But it is where she knows. And yes, I was very worried as it is super cold and snowy...but that's what is sometimes tough about rehab: balancing keeping them in rehab and safe, and recognizing that they are wild and stressed out being kept in a cage. The lady in who's backyard she was left was left with lots of food and instructions to put lots out for her. And I left behind her cozy nestbox so she would have a place to stay before finding a proper squirrel nest!
I hated leaving her crate on the ground, but I couldn't bring it up a tree!
