International Bird Rescue’s San Francisco Bay Center recently admitted a Western Gull that had survived three life-threatening encounters with mankind! Covered in what looked and smelled like mechanical lubricant, he was captured near San Francisco International Airport. During his intake evaluation, Center staff found fishing hook wounds in the corners of his mouth. X-rays taken to ensure that he had not in fact swallowed the hook revealed that he had been previously shot with a BB. This one bird had been - on three different occasions - oiled, hooked, and even shot.

While the Gull’s BB wound was surely intentionally inflicted, its fishing hook injury and exposure to life-threatening lubricant were likely the result of human carelessness – and these are just some of the many threats birds face while living in close proximity to people.

Your gift to International Bird Rescue will directly impact our ability to heal the wounds of human interference by offering each avian patient the expert care it deserves.

This Gull has survived the intensive wash it required to remove the lubricant, and is rehabilitating in our Pelican Aviary, but he is just one of dozens of birds with human-caused injuries in our care right now.

Source: International Bird Rescue email

This is a juvenile Western Gull. What horrible experiences this youngster has had. Not a great way to grow up....

Our Lindsay Great Gray Owl (one of our education birds) is a hero.

A young Great Gray owlet, who fell out of his nest, was brought to Lindsay Wildlife Museum hospital a few weeks ago. To avoid imprinting from humans, we isolated him in one of our aviaries. Staff dressed up like a bush in a special costume when they entered the aviary to bring mice. Our Great Gray Owl acted as surrogate parent. And he acted unlike he ever had. We could hear vocalizations from him that we had never heard before.

The owlet was successfully put back in his tree with his siblings. He was “branching” before we released him. His parents will continue to feed their young until they are independent.

The Great Gray Owl is an endangered species, with only 200 – 300 in California. It is vital that we restore wildlife habitats. If a bird doesn’t have a place to live, what’s the sense in saving him?

Story Here

Oh, how I love happy endings !

A few days ago we received an email from Jack Hanna (who informs me he is not Jack Hanna the Zoo guy ). http://www.wayofwater.com/

Jack rescued a young golden eagle from the water at Bethel Island, California, and he was in search of advice on what to do if this young eagle wasn't able to fly. We sent Jack as much information as we had available on short notice, while at the same time Jack placed this young eagle on a cushion on the roof of his houseboat to dry off.
Two hours later, with dry feathers, this very grateful, beautiful eagle flew off no worse for wear.
I'd also like to say THANK YOU JACK for the life you saved ...... and thank you so much for allowing me to post your beautiful photo.

Double click on photo to view full size.


Picture is copyright to Jack Hanna and posted to HWF with his written permission.

"I was very forunate to capture this image when she or he flew off the boat, with dry feathers.

Feel free to share this image. But. Credit and copyrights to Jack Hanna. This is an image of a lifetime, I think. I am not a proper birder. But, my life on the Delta has inflamed my obsession about big birds." Jack Hanna

Excellent!

Baby hummingbird rescue is a success story that’s for the birds
By Manori Ravindran, Vancouver sun August 12, 2012

A baby hummingbird, half the size of most people’s pinky fingers, will be released Monday just a month after its rescue from a Sunshine Coast barge.

Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C. staff were skeptical the creature, which was abandoned with its sibling when the vessel moved location, would survive, but coordinator Yolanda Brooks said Friday the bird’s rescue and survival has shocked the entire care centre.

“It’s very rare that anybody would actually find them,” said Brooks. “We don’t get them. We get adult hummingbirds that have been attacked by cats or hit by something, but having to raise babies? It’s pretty rare in rehabilitation centres, and we haven’t had to do it before.”



Read the full story here
http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/ ... story.html

Thanks for the Hummingbird story --