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
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
Photo by Cheryl Reynolds This eccentric new patient is a Common Poorwill, a species of nightjar and one of the few birds in the world known to undergo a hibernation-like state called torpor. They are nocturnal and forage through the night sky for moths and other insects. This patient was recently transported to our San Francisco … Read more
Photo by Isabel Luevano If you’re ever on the beach in California, chances are it won’t be too difficult to spot a Long-billed Dowitcher busy at work, searching for prey using its distinctive long bill to probe wet sand and sediment in a “sewing machine” motion. This Long-billed Dowitcher was recently transferred to us from … Read more
Photo by Bill Steinkamp This week, both our wildlife centers in California have cared for Virginia Rails, reclusive birds found in freshwater marshes. This rail was found soaked and cold on Dockweiler Beach, not far from Los Angeles International Airport, by our friend and partner Peter Wallerstein of Marine Animal Rescue. Rehabilitation technician Kelly Berry … Read more
Photo by Kylie Clatterbuck Brown Boobies are rare visitors to Southern California; this is only the second such patient we’ve received over the past year. The juvenile Brown Booby you see above was found at Dockweiler Beach in Los Angeles and rescued by our friend Peter Wallerstein with Marine Animal Rescue. Upon intake our team … Read more
Storm Petrels belong to the order Procellariiformes, which includes such seabirds as fulmars and albatrosses. One of six storm petrel species found off the West Coast, the Ashy Storm Petrel is a species of special concern in California (the IUCN lists them as endangered). Ashy Storm Petrels are infrequent patients at our California wildlife centers. The … Read more
Photo by Cheryl Reynolds This juvenile White-faced Ibis was found near Natomas, CA with a broken wing and brought to an animal shelter on July 27 before transfer to our San Francisco Bay center. The bird has a fractured radius and ulna; our veterinarian, Dr. Rebecca Duerr, has pinned the injury, and the ibis is … Read more