Most birds that recover from window or windshield crashes are released in a few days. Recovering from cat attacks requires one to two weeks, involving a course of antibiotics and flight conditioning, and sometimes longer care is required.
This dunlin arrived at PROWLS after being caught by a cat and was released five months later at a local mud flat. It was in care at PROWLS all winter long, waiting for his feathers to grow back and, when released, dashed off happily into the long grasses and muck.
A turkey vulture was in care for eight months. It was found on the Duck Lake Road, hit by a car, sore, tired and hungry, and diagnosed at Orphaned Wildlife Rescue in Delta with a broken wing and shoulder. It was later returned to the very spot it was found at the same time as his migrating mates and, after a reluctant exit from a kennel, soared high in the sky. Making long lazy circles, he was obviously back home again.
A spotted towhee arrived at midnight after being attacked by a local barred owl. PROWLS president Merrilee Prior was awakened by a loud screech when the towhee, sleeping peacefully sheltered from the rain under the eaves, was attacked. It suffered severe damage to the top of its head. Five months later it was given the all clear by Dr. Barnes at Westview Veterinary Hospital and released. Missing his five-month cage companion, the dunlin, the towhee has been seen returning to the cage for seeds.
Releases are wonderful.
Contributed photo
