Introducing Corvid Isle Sanctuary Residents
It was in the middle of May in 2014, when we were brought two carrion crow nestlings, whose nest got destroyed during a storm. Both birds have been found on the ground the day after the storm by a dog walker. At arrival both birds were barely responsive, hypothermic and dehydrated. The birds, who we named Pepper and Chilli, suffered a concussion and bruises to chest and back, but luckily no fractures. Pepper, who was the smaller one of the two, did also show signs of a nutritional deficiency, a spinal concussion and splayed legs.
The first 48 hours were touch and go, but sleepless nights and intensive care measures paid off and both birds started to recover. We fitted a soft foam brace to stabilise Pepper’s hip joints and in a second step some shoes to support her ankle joints. Four weeks later, after brace and shoes were removed, Pepper started to walk normally and was able to perch. She quickly gained strength and confidence.
Time to Say Goodbye
Chilli and Pepper stayed with us for more than one year, and eventually we soft released both birds in the early autumn of 2015. Chilli managed the challenges of his release very well. For a week Chilli spent his days outside the release aviary, and came only back for the night and for some food. This pattern continued for a few more weeks, and then Chilli increasingly stayed away for longer periods of time until he finally joined a local group of non-breeding carrion crows. Chilli still came back for many months to pay us a visit, and to get some snacks.
Pepper also left the soft release aviary, but unlike Chilli it took her about four weeks until she did so for the first time. She joined Chilli but came back after being absent for a few days, and then subsequently decided to stay. We attempted two more soft releases in 2016 and 2017, but the result remained the same. At this point we accepted Pepper’s decision, and welcomed her to stay in our sanctuary. Over the years Pepper helped us to raise many crow youngsters. She has been and still is a great teacher and companion for other bird patients. And for that we are very grateful and cannot thank her enough.
Support our Corvid Isle Sanctuary
Corvid Isle is a small non-for-profit organisation and corvid sanctuary (License Number MAU 016710) based in the Scottish Highlands. We are entirely self-funded and are relying on the kind support from members of the public. Please follow the links below to find out how you can support us. Thank you.