Missi's Mew: April 2011

Welcome from Missi, Avian Ambassador at Wild Bird Rescue, Inc.

I came to Wild Bird Rescue in the summer of 2009. Some woman found me on the ground and picked me up. Good thing she knew what to do. She took me to Wild Bird Rescue. At the door, a nice lady named Lila, picked me up and took me into a room called the infirmary. After a complete exam, Lila put me in this large box called a carrier. I stayed there for a few weeks while everyone decided what to do with me. Because I had completely lost my left eye, I would not do well if released back into the wild. The Migratory Bird Act of 1918 says I have to be releasable or be euthanized. Lucky for me Wild Bird Rescue decided to keep me around as their first education bird. I like to be called their Avian Ambassador...I think that sounds more important. Don't you? I will be going out to schools in the fall to help with presentations. I wonder if I get to use PowerPoint? I hope you enjoy keeping up with my trials and tribulations while I am learning how to work on the glove.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

April 28, 2011

We may be sad but the birds are rejoicing in Heaven today. You will be missed my friend. Phee Phew!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

April 19, 2011

Phee Phew! Phee Phew! Baby bird season has begun! Wild Bird Rescue has dozens of doves …Eurasian Collared Doves, White Wing Doves, and Mourning Doves. The sparrows have arrived too. The high winds last week knocked two nestling Red-tailed Hawks from a very tall Pine Tree and also a nestling Great Horned Owl. Today we got our first ever nestling Eastern Bluebirds. Eastern Bluebirds nest in very remote areas so it is highly unusual for someone to stumble upon a downed nest. Things are starting to get very exciting at Wild Bird Rescue! (Below is a photo of a Red-tailed Hawk) Phee Phew!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

April 10, 2011

Wild Bird Rescue knows the start of baby bird season has arrived when the first nestling dove arrives. Currently we have one nestling and three fledglings. Unlike most birds, which place food into the nestling’s mouth, doves feed their babies differently. The nestlings will reach down into the mother’s crop as she pumps out formula called crop milk. It’s not really milk at all but a mushy mixture created just for the nestlings high in protein. When we get a baby dove in, we can’t replicate that feeding method so our rehabbers must gavage feed the nestlings. A special formula is drawn up into a syringe and fed by placing a gavage feeding tube in the nestling’s crop. The formula is then pumped into the nestling slowly as the syringe is squeezed sending formula down the tube and into the crop. Isn’t this little one a real cutie? Phee Phew!

Missi's Mew