Close-up of the Northern Fulmar’s distinctive tubenose, photo by Cheryl Reynolds. This month, the most abundant species in our care is the Northern Fulmar. Our San Francisco Bay center is currently caring for 17 of these birds. Though this species is normally far out at sea, these birds were found unable to fly along the … Read more
Dear Friends, As many of you know, over the past several years International Bird Rescue’s wildlife centers in Northern and Southern California have seen an influx in sick and starving Brown Pelicans. Though this iconic bird of the Pacific Coast was removed from the Endangered Species List nearly five years ago, pelicans routinely need our … Read more
Many thanks to Good Day Sacramento’s Courtney Dempsey for stopping by our San Francisco Bay center to check in on the Brown Booby in care — as well as to chat with center manager Michelle Bellizzi about what the public should do if they come across an injured bird or other animal (answer: call 866-WILD-911). … Read more
One of the last patients admitted to our San Francisco Bay center in 2013 is this Brown Booby, a very rare visitor to the area. Here’s a video update on its condition during the week of January 6, 2014. This is the first such case at our SF Bay center, as the Brown Booby’s range … Read more
We very rarely receive Northern Fulmars with fractures. A recent exception is this bird found stranded at the Monterey Beach Hotel on December 20. He was transferred to our San Francisco Bay center from our colleagues at Monterey SPCA on December 23. We found the bird to have a fractured clavicle and several toe injuries. The clavicle fracture has since healed nicely, … Read more
Many thanks to volunteers Mary and Julie for making these delectable peli-cookies for the Los Angeles staff! Of the many things we’re thankful for as 2013 draws to a close, our amazing volunteers rank at the top. Want to get involved? Click here to download the volunteer application.
Photos by Isabel Luevano Currently recovering in a diving bird pool alongside Common Murres and Eared Grebes is this small Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus), shown here in its winter plumage. During breeding season, this small grebe sports red-and-black plumage as well as two yellow “horns” of feather patches from its eyes to the top of … Read more
Well, not quite. But the Rhinoceros Auklet gets its name for a reason. Residents of the North Pacific, Rhinoceros Auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata) are also known as “Unicorn Puffins” for the small horn extension on their beaks, present in both males and females during breeding season (click here for a photo of this species during breeding). … Read more
Burrowing Owl, photo by Magnus Manske/Wikimedia Commons As a Master Bander since 1979, I’ve banded a lot of birds — most of them are the aquatic birds that we rehabilitate at our centers in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay. But I also support the local rehabbers when I can by banding birds that … Read more
Black Rail, photo by Cheryl Reynolds Last week’s “Patient of the Week” on Facebook garnered a lot of attention from our fans: a Black Rail brought to us with a leg fracture and other injuries consistent with a likely domestic cat attack. After a successful rehabilitation at our San Francisco Bay center, the bird was … Read more