It wasn't a Friday but the 13th was unlucky for these two birds. The Great Horned Owl, BEAKER, came in after being hit by a car. Not only were his eyes not working, his lower beak was broken in two pieces. Dr. Blessing anesthetized him, wired the pieces back together and then applied acrylic (think fake fingernails) over it to make a bond. After the eye exam it was questionable if he would be able to see again but today he is beginning to see me when I come to the front of his cage. He's not eating on his own yet but swallows the mice and rat pieces I put in his mouth. He's awfully thin too so he was probably on the ground for a while before being found. His ultimate release is questionable but I've not given up hope that it may happen.
The adult female Kestrel, BUNNY, was sort of lucky while also sort of unlucky. The bad part was having a broken wing. She was found in a window well, probably hit the window above. The lucky part, twice. She was found by some caring people who called me and drove her to the vet, (I was already there waiting for BEAKER to come out of surgery) And only the ulna of her left wing was fractured, the radius is just fine and is now acting as a splint while the other bone heals. She loves her mice and her wing should heal enough for release in about six weeks. I only hope she's not a mom right now as the male wouldn't be able to feed all of their offspring. They can have five or six at a time. The Morrell's are going to see if they can find a nest cavity near their home.
Beaker sounds like she is in pretty bad shape, at least she has you trying for her.
ReplyDeleteYes, BEAKER is improving by the hour. Today he's kept down his rat pieces, yum, and is now even up on a ground perch. Perhaps all is not lost, thanks for the kind words.
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