The Haines Gang
by Scot Tiernan
We have received two feisty eagles from American Bald Eagle Foundation in Haines, Alaska in the two weeks prior to this being written (October 25,2010).
The first of these was a small, adultmale. When it arrived the bird was fat and sassy but apparently unable to fly. The initial exam showed no gross or |
Haines adult bald eagle
photo courtesy of Scot Tiernan |
obvious injuries to the bird but the volunteer conducting the exam detected as light swelling in the mid shaft of the bird's left wing in the area that would beak into a person's forearm. The swelling raised the suspicion of a possible fracture and x-rays were recommended; that there was no displacement of the bones detected in the initial examination was a good sign.
The examiner noted the bird's talons were needle sharp and the feathers in good condition indicating the bird had not been
down very long -- another positive sign. Sure enough the x-rays revealed a break of the ulna in the mid-shaft area but luckily the bones were not displaced so no surgery was required.
Then we called in the bird wing bandaging specialist in the group to put a figure 8 wing wrap on to hold everything in place. The bird was also given medication to control pain. The wrap has been changed and physical therapy preformed on thewing and hopefully another round of x-rays will show the break healed and the bird ready for some physical therapy and then the flight mew (cage). This bird is very talkative and basically never shuts up when people are present. He is also very crafty and will try to "foot" the persons charged with capturing the bird for treatment and when the small dog kennel it is in gets cleaned. It has stuck a few folks; nothing bad but it still hurts. Did I mention the needle sharp talons?!
Haines juvenile bald eagle
photo courtesy of Kathy Benner
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Less than a week after the adult eagle arrived we received a second bird. This one was a juvenile eagle and again it appeared to be a male. The report from Haines indicated the bird had a potential broken left wing based on the observations of the persons capturing it and the reappeared to be some blood on the left wing as well. The bird was examined immediately after arrival. The tailed feathers were broomed; the talons dull and the bird was thin and buggy--all signs of a failure-to-thrive or |
the inability to get enough food to sustain the bird. The wing feathers ended in spicules, a sharp needle like point at the end of the feather, indicating this bird had just come out of the nest; a young bird in trouble for sure. Luckily the exam did not indicate any breaks in the wing but an x-ray was scheduled to confirm this.
X-rays were taken on October 22 and the juvenile bald eagle was then put in the large flight mew to get all the food he wants and gain strength so that he can fly to the highest perches for eventual release.
October 29, 2010 Update: the Haines Adult Bald Eagle had a follow up appointment with the veterinarian. Radiographs showed a nice callus has formed. Dr. Webb thought the flight mew was a great next step and the bird was placed there today.
