birds Archives - Corvid Isle

24/08/202424/08/2024

Pigeon Bianca

Introducing Corvid Isle Sanctuary Residents

Bianca is a white pigeon, most likely one of the many released at weddings or funerals. She is very likely one of those dove-like selectively bred white homing pigeons. Customers are usually reassured that reputable companies train white homing pigeons to fly immediately home after being released and that they ensure the birds’ safety throughout the event and beyond. What is advertised and sold as being a homage to a person passed, or as a magical moment and talking point during a wedding, is just another example of animal abuse and the cruelty caused by human self-centredness and ignorance. Bianca is one of the many released birds who did not find their way back to their loft.

19/08/202419/08/2024

Carrion Crow Colin

Introducing Corvid Isle Sanctuary Residents

Colin came to us in March 2017, after we have been contacted for help and advice by his kind-hearted rescuer. It turned out that Colin was an imprinted unreleasable carrion crow born in spring 2016. He was found as an injured orphaned nestling on the ground after a severe storm, and has been subsequently raised by his own without the company of his own kind.

What is Imprinting?

Imprinting in wild birds is a critical and essential learning process that occurs during a sensitive period shortly after hatching. During this time, a young bird forms a strong attachment to the first moving object it sees, which is usually his or her parent. Interestingly, this attachment helps the bird learn essential survival behaviours, such as recognising its species, following the parent and learning specific feeding techniques.

12/08/202419/08/2024

Rook Malcolm

Introducing Corvid Isle Sanctuary Residents

Rook fledgling Malcolm arrived in our sanctuary in June 2018. We took over his care from another wildlife rescue, which asked us for advice and help. Malcolm did not thrive and develop as expected, became very poorly and quite distressingly did not stop to call for his parents and siblings.

Our admission assessment revealed that Malcolm was blind, and therefore struggled to find his place in this new strange noisy human world of a wildlife rescue. Our veterinary surgeon confirmed that for reasons unknown Malcolm has suffered an almost complete retina detachment in both eyes. Over time we figured out that Malcolm can recognise light, but not more than that. This also explained his constant calling, as Malcolm struggled to adapt to his situation. He was simply frightened, and completely and utterly confused.

03/08/202403/08/2024

Feral Pigeons Amber and Ambros

Introducing Corvid Isle Sanctuary Residents

At our Corvid Isle Sanctuary, we do also care for other bird species such as feral pigeons. We also provide a safe forever home for ex-racing pigeons, which have been neglected and abandoned by so called pigeon fanciers. Feral pigeons Amber and Ambros came to us in 2017 and 2015 respectively.

Feral Pigeon Ambros

Ambros arrived at the sanctuary in December 2015 as an orphaned fledgling. We raised him until he was fully independent and attempted to release him back into his flock. This did not work out as expected, as Ambros strictly refused to leave. We eventually accepted his decision and took him back home, where he joined our own small free flying mixed feral and ex-racing pigeon flock.

28/07/202403/08/2024

Carrion Crow Pan Tau

Introducing Corvid Isle Sanctuary Residents

Pan Tau came to us as a fledgling carrion crow in early June 2014 via our local veterinary surgery. He has been rescued by a kind person from the roadside after being hit by a car. He was found lying on his side and being unable to use neither wings nor legs. His rescuer cared for him for a week but became progressively concerned as Pan Tau did not make any progress. At that point in time the rescuer contacted the local veterinary surgery and asked for help. He insisted that Pan Tau should not be put to sleep and rather being given a second chance.

A Long Way To Go

So we agreed to take over Pan Tau’s care. At our admission assessment we could not find any fractures or obvious injuries. However, Pan Tau’s legs were not able to support his own weight. Both feet were curled up in a spastic fashion, which forced him to sit on his hock joints. He was unable to stand up or to use his wings in a coordinated way, which made it also difficult for him to keep himself upright. Pan Tau was otherwise fully alert and responsive. His neurological symptoms, which were caused by a concussion and a spinal trauma, had only marginally improved since he was found. This was a very concerning situation in terms of his longterm recovery prospects. Chances of a recovery are often rather slim when no noticeable neurological improvement can be observed within a fortnight.