The Animal Rescue League Shelter and Wildlife Center posted this on their Facebook page at 2:30pm today, June 25.
This morning, the PA Game Commission brought a Peregrine Falcon fledgling from its nest(*) in Oakland to our Wildlife Center for care. We have admitted it for medical evaluation, which will occur over the next several days. The bird does not have appropriate flight feathers and may have some neurological issues. It will remain under our care until decisions can be made in the bird’s best interest.
The Animal Rescue League will provide further updates on the falcon’s medical condition and the future treatment plan once this is determined.
If you would like to donate to help support the care of the falcon, please do so by visiting our website at www.animalrescue.org/donate and type “Falcon” in the notes section.
The bold emphasis above is my own but it’s true: If you want to help Silver, donate to the ARL Wildlife Center. They are a non-profit organization and do really good work!
And, please, no visits or calls. The Wildlife Center will provide updates as they have news.
p.s. * Slight correction to the text above: Silver was not brought literally “from the nest” but from his landing place near Hillman Library in Oakland. Here’s what happened.
(photo from Animal Rescue League Shelter and Wildlife Center Facebook page. Click here to visit ARL Wildlife on the web)
UPDATE, 26 JUNE 2015 from Animal Rescue League Wildlife Center:
“Peregrine Update: The Peregrine Falcon we received yesterday is settling in at our Wildlife Center. Upon initial exam, the bird was found to be dehydrated and thin. There are missing flight feathers, but new feather growth is apparent. In addition, one of the bird’s feet is noticeably weaker than the other. The bird has an appointment with a specialty vet on Tuesday & we will pass along any information that is discovered at that time. To be clear, our hope & goal is to rehabilitate the falcon so that it may eventually be returned to the wild. Long term goals, treatments, and plans will be developing as our Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators work alongside the Veterinarian.”
Oh, what a great picture of Silver! He looks so good (maybe a little annoyed?) I feel so good to know he is being taken care of. Thanks Kate for posting this beautiful picture.
Thanks for all you do….this bird is going to live a better life than most humans….
Aw! So glad that he is in good hands. Am also glad that we can get updates on his progress!
What a cutie!
I, as well as others, continue to anthropomorphize these creatures, but how can you not at times. Look at that face! I love the ruffled feathers on the top of his head.
I agree with you, Kate, the best way we can help Silver is to contribute to his caretakers. Even if it is a tiny bit, if we all send something, it will help them so much. There are more needs than Silver’s out there. Thank you to these people for helping this little guy.
A real shame and disappointment that Silver will not be able to continue to develop alongside his amazing parents, but if he has to be away, the ARL Wildlife Center is the place to be!
My family and I have taken many injured wild animals to this center over the years. A large percentage of the staff are compassionate and dedicated volunteers. They are always so helpful and supportive if you call with questions regarding found injured or displaced wildlife.
This is also the center’s BUSIEST time, with springtime baby critters brought in daily. I would urge everyone to support this great organization anyway they are able. They care for wildlife tirelessly, out of the kindness of their hearts, and always have the best interest of the animals as first priority, always aiming to return the animals to the wild whenever possible. I can’t say enough good things about them!
Omg what a great picture of Silver. I know we shouldnt get too attached but its hard not to love this chick. I will definitely be donating to ARL as I have done so in the past. they do an amazing job with the resources that they have. Myfamily has taken a litter of bunnies there after the mother was hit by a car and we have taken a baby robin that had a broken wing and was being stalked by the neighbors cat. Thanks for the update Kate!
MUCH better picture than the one KDKA had on 6 p.m. news. He/she was behind bars and it looked like the mug shot of a DUI suspect.
Concur with the comments about ARL. We’ve adopted all our dogs (over the past 20+ yrs) from Hamilton Avenue. They do great work.
Anne
Thank you so much for taking care of this lovely bird. Watched him grow after a difficult start. Grown to love him. Hope he grows new feathers after moulting. If not pleased he will be cared for. Best regards from England.
I cannot believe how attached I have become to this little one, and how sad I feel that I will not be seeing him online again. I know s/he (can someone please determine the sex at this point and tell us) is where s/he needs to be, but I will sorely miss my many daily pop-ins to check on Silver’s progress.
Silver looks sorta scared, but still curious. I hope they can at least tell us whether Silver is female or male. For my money, it’s a female. She has real guts and determination, just like her mom! You go, Silver! Your role in life is to educate the public about peregrines so more people will respect their role in the animal kingdom. I did make a donation to the Rescue League on her behalf.
Too stinkin cute! So glad Silver is in good hands. It has been an amazing journey and a joy to be a part of. I know the ARL will do it’s best to keep us all up to date with his/her progress. They are a wonderful organization and do incredible work.
Sheryl just did nailed it ….Too Stinkin Cute! He may be a tad annoyed right now, but he will get the best care for sure. I adopted two cats 5 years ago from ARL Hamilton Ave and was so impressed by the employees and volunteers I met there. I have donated to ARL ever since, and hope they get many donations to their Wildlife Center as well, especially the FALCON fund.
Will Dorothy be ok? She is in the nest box this morning looking around very puzzled. I feel so bad for her, missing her baby.
Val, please see this comment for an answer to your question http://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/2015/06/24/on-his-way-to-rehab/#comment-160271
Or this FAQ: http://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/peregrine-faqs/question-why-do-the-adults-visit-the-nest-after-the-babies-are-gone/
I have taken quite a few injured birds, squirrels and even a chipmunk to the wildlife center, it is a wonderful resource for our area and the staff seem quite dedicated. Is Silver the first raptor they have received?
Pat, the Wildlife Center is quite experienced with raptors
Dorothy is back in the nest working on the scrape and preening. It’s nice to see her once in a while… I’m having withdrawal now that Silver is gone.
Kate, many are wondering when the web cam will be shut down. Do you have any knowledge of this? Thanks.
Pa Gal, we never shut it down (at least not in past years). You can watch an empty nest all year long.
This is great news, thanks Kate.
May Silver molt.
May Silver learn to dislike humans in Rehab.
May Silver fly to get a name.
Go Silver …
Kate, noticed that Dorothy was making hole in nest yesterday. Why would she be doing this?
Patti: See this Peregrine FAQ about the adults visiting the nest after the nestlings are gone: http://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/peregrine-faqs/question-why-do-the-adults-visit-the-nest-after-the-babies-are-gone/
Kate, on pix controller there was a negative posting again from the same person that ARL was the worst place Silver could have been taken. I am concerned. This person said the excuse of “neurological disorders’ is always the excuse used and the animal is euthanized and the facility silver was taken to does not handle raptors. I was so relieved to know that this little guy was being cared for. What is your expert opinion on this and are you familiar with the handling of raptors in this facility.
judy, I have not read the comments on PixController but I can assure you that ARL Wildlife Center has a long successful history of caring for and releasing rescued peregrine falcons in the Pittsburgh area, including juvenile peregrines from the Cathedral of Learning nest. Here’s an example from 2008: http://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/2008/11/06/arctic-peregrine-makes-unplanned-stop-in-pittsburgh/
Again, I have not read the comments but if they are repeatedly volatile and negative it may be that the writer has a personal (unsaid) reason for being negative about ARL or about wildlife facilities unrelated to the bird and his treatment.
It is unfortunate that PixController’s chat is not moderated. In the past month I have often received questions from upset PixController followers who have been misled by the unmoderated chat.
Also how could he be dehydrated and thin. Dorothy and E2 seemed like they were feeding him well. I also have another question, He was feed fresh kill birds from his parents. What will be his diet at the ARL?
judy, I do not know the answer to your questions about the bird’s condition. We will hear more details after his vet exam on Tuesday. I also do not know exactly what ARL will feed him but I know it will be birds.
Thanks Kate for your response. This writer was on pix controller facebook. Same one that posted negative comments before. I knew that you would be well aware of the fine work that the ARL does. I will be happy to donate to ARL in Silver’s name.
I think Silver looks like a baby penquin the way he is sitting lol. Thanks again Kate for all of your knowledgeable and factual posts. This is the only blog I look at for info.
I look forward ever day for my updates. Still staying positive that Silver will do well.
Ok. I missed some entries due to being so busy at work. How did Silver get his name? And as everyone has posted, he is way too cute in this photo.
kc, here is everything about his temporary name: http://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/2015/06/01/all-about-names/
6/30/2015, 7:30pm: I have no additional news about the Pitt peregrine fledgling. When I have news I will post it.
Kate I just saw an update on Silver on ARL facebook page. They don’t mention if they determined if Silver is male or female. Also if there are neurological issues he can’t be released into the wild. Would Silver become an educational bird?
Regarding Silver’s “neurological deficits” and whether he can become an educational bird.
I am not a vet. I do not know what issues this bird has. I have not seen the bird in person since Banding Day (a lot has changed for the better since then). Therefore I cannot answer your questions about this particular bird.
Regarding what we know to date: The ARL update says “neurological deficits” — which is much more explanatory than an “issue.” Deficit means ‘missing something’ or ‘below average/normal.’ Humans with (some types of) neuro-deficits are called “slow.” Would I be surprised to learn that this bird is “slow?” No.
Can peregrines with neurological issues become educational birds? Yes, though it depends on the issue the bird has and the setting he’s expected to perform in. Here’s the story of another Pittsburgh peregrine who is an educational bird and has neurological issues (seizures, in her case): Dorothy’s Oldest Granddaughter
As time passes we will learn more. As we have seen, ARL wants the best for this bird just as we do.
Thanks for the info! Very interesting info about Pittstop too.