10/02/2026
With the annual migration of birds from the cooler to warmer weather comes the occasional unusual patients. Currently in the hospital is this thrush which was “picked up” by a dog. Cat injuries are usually obvious because cats tend to chew on birds. Dogs, on the other hand, do pick up their found feathered treasures, but, unbeknownst to the dog owner, they tend to apply serious pressure to subdue the bird it is carrying. This thrush has a broken leg, but worse is the fact that it is alert yet lethargic. That indicates internal injuries like hemorrhaging into the lungs. Not pretty, but it the reality of dogs “picking up” birds. We are providing the bird with supplemental support such as heat, anti-inflammatory and pain meds, as well as a liquid nutritional formula. Also in the ICU is a newly admitted severely emaciated immature sooty tern (the brown speckled bird) who is rooming with a mature sooty tern (same photo: black and white bird) who has been with us a couple of weeks. We brought the mature sooty tern in two days ago because all this torrential downpours we’ve been having kinda kicked its butt! And last, a patient that never actually made it into the ICU, is this tiny Northern Parula warbler. It was dropped off in our safe drop box (aka cage), but was flying around so fast it took a net to secure it. After a quick exam it was found to be just fine so it was immediately released into the hammock flying away beautifully! It most likely hit a window and temporarily stunned itself. We don’t always get the full story with drop off’s. 🕊️ We do what we do with DONATIONS from you! Donate via VENMO or visit https://www.zeffy.com/donation-form/71c6fd7d-67ef-4cd8-bb7a-5d681dd232ca. 🕊️
