Summer has brought a steady stream of patients to our rehabilitation center, each with their own story of survival and recovery. From majestic raptors to tiny songbirds, our team has been working around the clock to provide care for Vermont’s wild bird populations during this critical season.
Our most notable patient this month is a juvenile bald eagle that arrived in serious condition. A game warden brought the bird to us after it had been grounded for several days while its sibling remained active in a nearby tree – a clear sign that something was wrong.
The young eagle presented with multiple health challenges: severe lethargy, emaciation, anemia, and a concerning combination of bacterial and protozoal infections. Most notably, we identified trichomoniasis, a parasitic infection that can be particularly devastating to birds of prey.
Despite the grim initial prognosis, we received one piece of encouraging news – lead testing came back negative. Lead poisoning remains one of the most serious threats to bald eagles, often proving fatal, so this negative result opened the door for treatment.
After administering fluids, nutritional support, and targeted medications, we’re cautiously optimistic about this eagle’s recovery. The bird has shown remarkable improvement, displaying a healthy appetite and increased alertness. While we never guarantee outcomes in wildlife rehabilitation, the eagle’s progress gives us hope for a successful return to the wild.
There are so many other stories from the ~190 birds we currently have in our care. Our recent admissions reflect the diverse challenges facing Vermont’s bird populations during the breeding season.
Here are a few photos of just a few of the many birds that have come in this summer:
- Black-capped Chickadee and Blackburnian Warbler: the chickadee fell from its nest, and the warbler fell victim to a cat attack – a sadly common occurrence that highlights the importance of keeping domestic cats indoors.
- Broad-winged Hawks: both hawks were underweight, lethargic, and suffering from heavy parasite loads that had compromised their health.
- Great Horned Owl: arrived severely emaciated with signs of an underlying infection. The exact cause remains unclear, though we suspect the bird may have been orphaned or faced other environmental stressors.
- Eastern Phoebes: came to us after likely being orphaned or losing their nest.
These cases underscore the complex challenges facing wild birds during summer months. From nest failures and orphaning to disease outbreaks and human-related injuries, the reasons birds need our help are as varied as the species themselves.
Each patient requires individualized care, diagnostic testing, and treatment plans tailored to their specific needs and species. Some recoveries happen quickly, while others require weeks or months of dedicated care. Not every story has a happy ending, but each bird we treat contributes to our understanding of wildlife health and conservation needs.
Our work continues thanks to the support of concerned citizens who report injured wildlife or bring it to us here at VINS, and the dedicated volunteers and staff who make recovery possible. As we move through the remainder of summer, we remain committed to giving every bird the best possible chance at returning to the wild where they belong.
The VINS Center for Wild Bird Rehabilitation provides care for injured, orphaned, and sick wild birds throughout Vermont and the surrounding region. If you encounter injured wildlife, please call us at 802.359.5000 x212.
By Emily Boren, Director of Marketing