Jean those are adorable. I've never seen a baby pigeon before.
I can see why you fell in love with them.

awww Jean they're cuties! It would be dead easy to fall for them. I'm glad they are in good hands and will be in their rightful place when they're old and strong enough. Thanks for that story

We are just starting to get a few baby birds. So we have some time on our hands. I wish I had my camera with me last Tuesday, because we had a tiny Green Heron, almost bald, and a tiny Killdeer. The Killdeer's mother and brothers and sisters were killed by a cat.

Now you need a happy story, and here it is:

A domestic mallard brought to IBRRC in January had pennies removed from its gastrointestinal tract.

Jay Holcomb of IBRRC explains how "Penny" the duck was successfully treated by our staff and veterinarian at our bird rescue center in Northern California.

She was released the last week of March. She gave Mr. Holcomb a good bite while he was preparing her for release.

Video: Penny the Duck

This is the best eagle release I've seen. Instead of being thrown up in the air, the eagle is allowed to leave the carrier with dignity and grace.

Video: BALD EAGLE RELEASE

I have received several messages from members, asking about the oil spill in the Gulf. Yes, our team is there, and you can read about what is going on in the article below and in IBRRC Blog.


IBRRC Veterinarian with oiled juvenile Northern Gannet


Jay Holcomb, Executive Director of IBRRC

Rescuing Birds on the Louisiana Shore

In the first picture, the bird has been stabilized and is being rehydrated by gavage. A long flexible tube is inserted into the bird's esophagus directly into his stomach. The fluid is warmed first.

In the second picture, the bird is being washed. Before being washed, the bird is stabilized and has had a satisfactory blood test. The washing process if very stressful, and a bird in a weakened condition would not survive the bath.

There is up-to-date information on the IBRRC Blog, which you can read here:

http://www.ibrrc.org/

Washing stations in Fort Jackson rescue center

Trained oil spill rescue teams from all over the US are on call. Although only one oiled bird has been picked up so far, they're not waiting around. They are getting ready for a large scale disaster.

It's so sad... all the nesting seabirds in the area will be negatively affected. Wetlands and marshes can't be cleaned up the way beaches and rocks can be cleaned. And then there are the marine mammals and other sea life. I think about the hatching turtles running into a sea filled with oil.

It's good to know your team is there Beans! I am heartsick just thinking about this 'spill'. Please give our heartfelt strength and support to everyone as they undertake their tasks.

Jay Holcomb, Executive Director of IBRRC, is posting updates about the Gulf oil spill on the IBRRC Blog. You can read the updates there or here.


click

Day three:

Today the high winds and thunderstorms prevented attempts for clean-up or oiled bird capture. In the meantime, the IBRRC team is continuing to work with Tri-State Bird Rescue, the lead wildlife organization on the ground, to prepare the centers in Louisiana, Alabama and Florida.

We continue to care for the one bird recovered so far: a Northern Gannet. It was washed yesterday and is in stable condition.

We have also now activated more of our response team to augment the centers and support search and collection efforts. They will be arriving on Monday, May 3rd.

We know that there has been an outpouring of concern from people all over the country wishing to help. IBRRC is not in the position to coordinate volunteers or other trained people. We can only reiterate that the best thing you can to do for now is to call the volunteer hotline that has been set-up by BP: 1-866-448-5816.