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Should you find one of those birds, which look somewhat like miniature
penguins do not try to bring them indoors or put them in a birdcage. Do not
try to feed them (they only feed on marine life). Place them in a box (even a
hat will do) and bring them to WATER !
Mary Majka,
Mary's Point, N. B.
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<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:verdana,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><div style="font-family: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Healthy birds can certainly be blown inland, especially after large storms. But I don't know what makes Mary so sure that any grounded dovekies aren't injured or starving. How can you know that without an experienced person evaluating their health, especially when wild animals typically try to hide their symptoms from humans?<br><br>The rule of thumb for grounded seabirds in wildlife rehabilitation is to
assume there is something wrong with them. This has been the
case for the vast majority of grounded loons, cormorants and gannets
admitted to CWRC. I haven't found very much information in rehabilitation
literature about alcids. I have noticed that the alcids we've
had at CWRC tend to be in better shape than the larger birds, but they
haven't all been healthy. Is there literature to suggest, or have Mary's
experiences suggested, that this is not the usual case and that
injured/sick alcids don't end up on land?<br><br>I'm also curious as to why she says that the birds must be returned immediately to water, unless that is to prevent people playing show-and-tell rather than doing what's best for the bird. Healthy birds should be able to handle a few hours to get to a vet or rehabilitator for a checkup. <br><br>Perhaps she could share her experiences, on or off-list. I'd love to hear what she has to say.<br><br>Fritz, I'm glad the dovekie looked good. I know you wouldn't try to release it otherwise. I hope it was healthy, and it may well have been. My point is that we can't know a bird is healthy unless an experienced person evaluates it. I realize it's hard to get birds from where you are to a rehab centre though, so immediate release may be the better option for grounded birds in your area.<br><br>One more note. Pelagic birds rely on their waterproofing for survival, and oil compromises that waterproofing. Even the
natural oils on our hands can have an effect, so anyone handling these birds should try to use a clean towel or similar object to handle the bird and avoid skin-to-feather contact.<br><br>Kathleen MacAulay<br>Milford Station<br><br><div style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><hr size="1"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">From:</span></b> Elizabeth Doull <edoull@ns.sympatico.ca><br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">To:</span></b> naturens@chebucto.ns.ca<br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sent:</span></b> Tue, December 7, 2010 9:31:26 AM<br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subject:</span></b> Re: [NatureNS] Grounded seabirds<br></font><br>
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<div><font face="Times New Roman">Thanks, Kathleen MacAulay, for your advice
dealing with such pelagic birds. Got this from Mary Majka in NatureNB.
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<div><font face="Times New Roman">Mary Majka wrote:</font></div><font face="Times New Roman"></font>
<div><br>We received and released a number of dovekies during today
Obviously blown inland by very strong southerly winds (terrific on the Bay of
Fundy). Those Birds are not Injured or starving ! What they need URGENTLY
is to be released in any large body of WATER, of course preferably saltwater!
</div>
<div><br>Dovekies as many other pelagic (sea-dwelling) birds can't take off from
land. </div>
<div><br>They need to be as soon as possible taken to the seashore or a river
(Petitcodiac is a good one because it is tidal) and simply dumped into their
watery element. </div>
<div><br>From there they can take off to find their way, hopefully to again
enjoy life on the ocean. <br><br>Should you find one of those birds,
which look somewhat like miniature penguins do not try to bring them indoors or
put them in a birdcage. Do not try to feed them (they only feed on marine
life). Place them in a box (even a hat will do) and bring them to WATER
! </div>
<div><br>Mary Majka,<br>Mary's Point, N. B.<br></div></div></div>
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