Friday, September 01, 2006

We made a few eagles mad today

Well, we didn't mean to. We have a couple birds that need to be placed because they are non-releasable. The people inquiring about placement would like to know the sex of the bird. To determine sex when the eagle won't tell you, isn't easy. One way is to remove a few feathers from the chest area and send them off for DNA testing.

That's why these two are a little upset with Cindy and I. We went out to the flight center this afternoon and caught a couple eagles. Besides their permanent injuries, they now have a few less feathers. Good thing it's not winter yet.

The next eagle had limited use of it's left wing. It wouldn't extend all the way and it didn't like it when we tried to extend it. Cindy discovered a swollen elbow joint with some hardened gook (Dave's technical terms) around it. After a few small cuts she removed the gook and flushed out the wounds. Then a shot a baytril to top things off. In a day or so, this guy might still be mad at us but he'll be feeling a lot better.

Last but not least, this is how Cindy looks when you interrupt her doing paperwork to take her picture.

Have a safe but fun Labor Day weekend.

4 comments:

robin andrea said...

Where are the possibile placements for these eagles? What are their options? Do eagles breed in captivity? I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but these posts always make me wonder about so many things!

Dave Dorsey said...

Robin - I'm glad they make you think. There are lots of places they can be placed. Zoo's, bird sanctuaries, other rehab facilities that would like an eagle for education programs. They must be approved by USF&W and their state Fish & Game. Eagles can breed in captivity. We don't do that because that's not our mission, but there are many places we have placed birds that do that.

BTW, the new shingles replacing that blue siding looks great.

Susan Gets Native said...

Dave,
Thanks for your comment on my blog. I came to see what you were all about, and it looks like you are on the same path I am....lovin' the birds and helping in any way you can.
And you got to meet Jeff Corwin??? I love him....What we would do to get him to come film at our facility!
Great job and here's to rehabber everywhere! Cheers!

Dave Dorsey said...

Thanks Susan. We're about the same thing. Keep up your good work and you have a new fan in Alaska.