A Common Loon, our patient of the week, was rescued with a fish hook injury and is in care at our San Francisco Bay Center. The Loon was found stranded in Fort Ord near Monterey, CA on May 1st. It was captured by our colleagues at the SPCA for Monterey County. The underweight but alert … Read more
Updated April 14, 2015: Sadly, the Brown Pelican gunshot victim died this week. Nearly a month following the horrific shooting of a Brown Pelican found in Redondo Beach, International Bird Rescue is still caring for this critically injured seabird. After two major surgeries the bird is receiving supportive care due to an infected gunshot wound … Read more
We recently returned a Bonaparte’s Gull to the wild after this patient was treated in the midst of the “Mystery Goo Response”. This Bonaparte’s Gull was introduced as a Patient of the Week December 6, 2014. The bird was found at Silver Oak Winery in Sonoma County, and arrived with a very large laceration exposing its thigh muscles from hip to mid leg (3 inches long on a … Read more
Not all our birds in care were part of the San Francisco Bay mystery goo response. Last month our Southern California center received an American White Pelican from the Los Angeles County Animal Control. It was found in a weakened state at La Mirada Park. This beautiful bird was very lethargic, not thermoregulating, and extremely … Read more
We received more than 300 seabirds coated in the East Bay Mystery Goo and one particular Horned Grebe, dubbed by our clinic staff as “Gummy Bear”, really made an impression. “Gummy Bear” was brought to our San Francisco Bay Center three weeks ago during the first wave of East Bay birds contaminated by the stick … Read more
We’re seeing an increase of sea ducks – especially Buffleheads – in care this month. Nearly 25 of this species have come through our doors in the past few weeks. They are emaciated, suffering from stress and have foot abrasions. Many have crash-landed in areas around San Francisco Bay. The beautiful drakes have a striking … Read more
This week’s featured patients are cohabiting outdoor Pool B of International Bird Rescue’s San Francisco Bay center. All belong to the family Anatidae, which comprises ducks, swans and geese. The birds you see here are susceptible to crash-landings in urban areas and are often found stranded in cities following major storms — the variety of … Read more
Dear Friends, As 2014 comes to a close, our wildlife centers in California have cared for nearly 5,000 patients since January 1. And every bird has a story. Many of the animals we rescue live most of their lives far away from the human-inhabited world. Others are caught up in it (sometimes literally) and face … Read more
Photo by Cheryl Reynolds This week’s featured patient is a Bonaparte’s Gull, the only gull species known to nest in trees. It’s named after a historic figure, though not the one you’re thinking of: Charles Lucien Bonaparte, a 19th century French biologist and ornithologist who made significant contributions to American ornithology, is the bird’s namesake. … Read more
Dear Friends, On April 16, 2014, a California Brown Pelican staggered between lanes of traffic in Long Beach, Calif., flapping his wings with what little energy he had left. When an animal control officer approached the bird, it became clear why this animal was too exhausted to escape capture. The pelican’s throat pouch, used to … Read more