corvid Archives - Corvid Isle

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.

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.

21/07/202403/08/2024

Carrion Crow Pepper

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.

Carrion crow nestlings Chilli and Pepper

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.

24/06/202426/06/2024

GoFundMe – Support Corvid Isle Sanctuary

Please Support Us

The Corvid Isle Sanctuary is situated in the Scottish Highlands. We are a small fully self-funded non-for-profit sanctuary (License Number MAU 016710) and provide a permanent home for more than 30 native unreleasable birds. Please consider to support our work by making a financial contribution via GoFundMe. If you are interested in other ways to support us, then please check out our Support page for more details. You can also use our Contact page to get in touch with us, if you require more information.

GoFundMe – Support Corvid Isle Sanctuary