Baby of another kind

Just as I was heading out to release my baby magpie I got a call from the G&F saying they'd found a young great blue heron near the river. He wasn't very strong so they gathered him up. His name is STICKS and I don't know what's wrong. His left wing droops a bit and his left leg seems weak too. He is also covered with dried mud as if he fell and took some time to get to his feet.

I tubed him with some critical care food for meat eaters and have some shrimp thawed for another meal. Hopefully he'll eat on his own and get strong enough for release.

UPDATE: I found out why he's limping, the left acetabulum is fractured. At this time I'm giving him a chance to heal altho he may always have a hitch in his getalong. They don't have to run down food, usually stroll in the water or shore and find something to catch.

He now has a BFF

Here's RUFUS with is new best friend. After his trip to Ogden he was introduced to their orphan heron who is about a week younger. There was a short squabble about 10 minutes into the meeting but then the younger one stood up for his rights and now all is okay.

You'll note in the photo that RUFUS, on the left, still hasn't shut his mouth.

Update

Baby RUFUS is leaving tomorrow to begin the rest of his journey. After such a shaky start, literally when his nest tree fell down, he is now joining another Great Blue Heron orphan at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Ogden, UT. Thanks to Debbie Pappas of Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation in Price, UT for telling me about the facility in Ogden. And to DaLyn Erickson there who agreed to accept my baby heron.

So there....

A week ago, when the little Great Blue Heron came to live here, I was told by "experts" that it was almost impossible to raise a baby GBH. He is still alive and so far making great strides. He's eating on his own now, loves the raw shrimp and pinky rats.

This photo shows him outside in the sunshine trying to control those very long legs and toes through the tall grass. He's very vocal when he wants a meal and now all I have to do is toss it into a large heavy crock food dish. He finds it and makes short work of getting it all eaten.

Rare visitor

This very sad baby is RUFUS, a Great Blue Heron found on the ground after his nest tree blew down. Also found were two siblings and an adult, all dead. He was found last Friday and it took until today for the Kelly family to finally find someone who may be able to help him. Unfortunately he wasn't getting the best type of feed so he's very weak.

I've tried sardines and pureed salmon but he won't keep either down so I'm at a loss right now as to how to save the little guy. I haven't given up but the prognosis is very bleak.

Thank you very much to all the Kelly's for caring enough to try hard for the baby. That included making the three hour drive over the mountain from Sheridan to deliver him.

UPDATE: June 4th: As you can see from this photo, RUFUS is making an amazing turnaround. So far that is. I've been feeding him a product called AD which is a critical care, high calorie, canned food for debilitated dogs and cats. And it is sometimes used in raptors. I don't know if it's ever been used on a fish eating water bird but at this point things are looking up. RUFUS is now able to stand and even walk around a bit while I'm fixing his food. Of course he's not old enough for much movement so just being able to waddle is normal for his age. Especially on those gargantuan feet. Fingers crossed that his condition continues to improve.

PS: You'll note his mouth is open. He's also very opinionated and vocal as to when he wants to be fed.

Unusual patient

At this time of year all the cranes and herons have migrated south from our area. With the exception of STILTS. I got a call about him this morning and was shocked to find him in the middle of Juby's trailer court just standing around. Luckily a caring lady called me and even helped round him up. He can't fly but he can run. Thank goodness he went to a small fenced area so I was able to net him.

The most amazing thing is that after being x-rayed it was shown his radius/ulna had been fractured in his right wing about 5-6 weeks ago. Somehow this bird did all the right things and the bones have healed in perfect alignment. The bad news is that he is short of groceries and not strong enough now to fly away.

I've found a wonderful place, Rogers Wildlife in Hutchins, TX, who have supplied the information I needed to feed him and keep him alive long enough to get permission to send him south to a much warmer winter area. Penny gave me a variety of foods that herons eat and altho I don't have the fish I do have all else. I've put out a message to my fishing friends to help, they usually do.