crow Archives - Corvid Isle

23/11/202423/11/2024

Hooded Crow Jon Snow

Introducing Corvid Isle Sanctuary Residents

Jon Snow is an adult hooded crow. He came to us just recently in June 2024. Jon Snow is a wild local crow and the male partner of a local territory holding pair residing not far from our sanctuary. Jon Snow was most likely hit by a car on a single track road close to where we live. By chance, our neighbour discovered Jon Snow on the verge of the road and tried to secure him. Unfortunately, Jon Snow managed to escape despite being injured, bleeding and flightless. He disappeared and went into hiding into our local woods.

We thoroughly searched the area several times. However, we were unable to locate him. We knew that due to his severe injuries he might not survive for very long. At this time we could only hope that we would have a chance to catch him in time. Having said that, we were also certain that Jon Snow would stay in the area, nearby his family, which did visit us every morning to collect their food share from our wild bird feeders.

11/10/202411/10/2024

Carrion Crows Amor and Rhea

Introducing Corvid Isle Sanctuary Residents

Amor has been brought to us in May 2017 as a 3 or 4 day old carrion crow hatchling, being completely dependent on his parents for care, warmth and nourishment. He had barely any feathers and his eyes were still closed. Hatchlings like Amor are very vulnerable and require constant warmth and protection. Amor has been brought indoors by a freely roaming unsupervised cat. It is unclear whether the cat did raid the nest itself, or a bird of prey did, and the cat was just an opportunistic bystander.

Carrion crow Amor Day 3 — Carrion crow hatchling Amor

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.

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.