Great-horned owl from Monona County with a non-compound radius ulna fracture.
**1/15/12 Update - The wing was wrapped and will be checked in 7-10 days for healing.
**2/1/12 Update - moved to the flight pen
**3/3/12 Released at bald eagle event in Sioux Rapids
Red-tailed hawk from the Ogden / Boone County area that is thin and has a compound humerus fracture.
**12/31 Update - this RTH died
Red-tailed hawk found by Des Moines Park & Recreation and (as of the morning of the 30th) is with another rehabilitator / volunteer in the Des Moines area -- has food and water.
**Update -- this RTH died 12/31/2011
Cooper's hawk was brought in from the Polk County area, seems fine -- no fractures or blood in the eyes or mouth -- likely just stunned by hitting a picture window while hunting. This hawk will most likely not be here very long! Rehabilitators and bird enthusiasts have notice an increase of Cooper's hawk activity in towns. These hawks prefer the woodlands over the open country and cities and towns have a more 'wooded' feel to them. Yes, Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawks eat mostly birds and some small mammals and have been spotted at many a songbird feeder. If you live in a wooded neighborhood, feed birds, and have large picture windows in your house, consider hanging (inside or out) streamers or tape falcon silhouettes in the window to break up that "visual nothingness" for the hawks.
**12/30 The Cooper's was released by volunteer Delaney!
December 25
Not such a good Christmas day for this barred owl... hit by a car and has eye injuries but fortunately no fractures. Thanks to the Denison assistant police chief for helping with the rescue and a Crawford County deputy sheriff for transporting the owl to the county line... at 11:00 pm to meet Kay.
**12/31 Update - He (guessing by the small stature) has an attitude today and his eyes look much better.
**Update 1/9/12 - In the flight pen
**Released 3/20/12
December 20
A great-horned owl came in this evening from Carroll County with two fractured legs... it was caught in leg-hold traps (there were multiple sets). The owl was euthanized. We're not sure if the leg-hold traps were at exposed bait (not legal, see note) or if one of the multiple traps set with no exposed bait (legal) caught an animal and the owl came in for that animal and got caught in another trap.
Please note -- page 20 of the 2011-12 Iowa Hunting and Trapping Regulations states, "You cannot set or maintain any foothold or body-gripping trap or snare within 20 feet of exposed bait on land anywhere in the state...."
December 20
Juvenile trumpeter swan found at Swan Lake State Park not doing well. Initial exam done this evening and antibiotics were started and x-rays and blood test will be done tomorrow. The swan only weighs 13 pounds when it should be in the 20 pound range.
**12/21 Update - X-rays (had to take 2 as the bird is so big) showed that there is a fishing hook in the esophagus and a lead sinker in the crop. The BLL test was so high, it did not register on the machine (which means this swan's BLL is greater than 65 µg/dL!) Chelation therapy was started. Before surgery can be attempted, the swan must gain weight. She is being tube fed a high calorie 'slurry.'
fishing hook stuck in swan's esophagus
the bright white blob in this swan's crop is a sinker, likely still attached to the hook by fishing line -- the swan's neck / head is off the x-ray to the top
**12/26 Update - This swan is still very sick but is headed to Dr. Dirk's today for possible surgery.
**12/26 afternoon update - Surgery was touch and go, but doctor was able to remove the fish hook and a wad of fishing line with algae and weeds. Unfortunately, the sinker was not attached to this line and is still in her crop. Hopeful now that the fishing line removed that she'll start eating on her own. The swan will also be getting a dose of mineral oil to "clean out" her system and hopefully pass that sinker!
**12/30 Update - She still doesn't want to eat on her own. She had one mineral oil dose and while that did "loosen" stuff up... have not seen the sinker yet.
**1/8/2012 Update - Unfortunately this swan died from the lead poisoning.
Anglers - Catch It! Tackle Company sells lead-free fishing tackle. Their website is under construction, bookmark for future use! A quick internet search for "lead-free fishing tackle" will net you many sites to browse.
December 17
Screech owl found in Carroll County and brought to SOAR. The owl is extremely thin, but has no broken bones, and no signs of frounce. (Frounce is a highly contagious yeast infection of the digestive tract. Typical sign of frounce are white spots in the mouth or crop and described as "cheesy.")
**Update 2/12/12 - this little owl is now in the flight pen for rehabilitation to gain back muscle mass.
**Released 2/25/12 at SOAR
Thanks to Carroll County Conservation for arranging transportation.
December 16
A sharp-shinned hawk hit a window and was stunned. Sac County Conservation assisted with transport to SOAR. Initial exam showed no blood in the mouth, no broken bones, and pupils were equal. Bird is eating and pooping, likely will be a short stay for this one.
**12/19 Update - Time to go!
December 13
An eagle was found caught in a leg-hold trap set near an animal carcass. Wright County Conservation transported the eagle to a falconer friend of Kay's in Fort Dodge. He will feed the eagle until on the way to SOAR. Appears to be just a broken toe.
**12/17 Update - This bird is a female. Her BLL upon arriving at SOAR was 9.6 µg/dL and since she is not presenting any signs or symptoms of lead, no chelation therapy will be started now.
**12/19 Update - She is "bouncing off the walls" in her crate in ICU. The toe caught in the trap was not broken, just very swollen. Another blood sample will be taken today and if no higher, will put her in the flight pen.
Please note -- page 20 of the 2011-12 Iowa Hunting and Trapping Regulations states, "You cannot set or maintain any foothold or body-gripping trap or snare within 20 feet of exposed bait on land anywhere in the state...."
**12/24/11 released near where she was caught in hopes her mate is still in the area and they can find each other.
December 5
Received word that Bob Anderson, Raptor Resource Project in Decorah, received a call of an eagle in need. Bob and volunteers were able to locate, rescue, and get the adult bald eagle into a carry crate. A volunteer was to take the eagle to Ames on the 6th to meet up with Kay. The eagle died before morning, but the volunteer still transported the body to Kay.
**12/7 Update - the body was x-rayed today. No trauma, no broken bones, no lead or foreign objects in the digestive tract. A necropsy will be done and a liver biopsy taken and will be sent the Diagnostic Lab at ISU Vet Med.
**12/30 Update - results back from the Diagnostic Lab with the liver biopsy lead level. Sit down... the analysis showed 48.00 ppm lead. Over 6 ppm in liver biopsy results is definite lead poisoning. More info about testing here.
December 2
A snowy owl was picked up by a falconer friend near the town of Humboldt (and actually in Humboldt County) on the 1st. The bird is starving (she) and is full of feather lice. Thanks to the falconer who fed her the evening of the 1st and morning of the 2nd, she's still alive. We'll concentrate on getting more food and hydration in her before we address any worms and the lice. (Feather lice feed on detritus and don't really make a meal out of the bird itself.) This is the second snowy owl that SOAR has been called about. The other one was from Sioux City area over the Thanksgiving holiday and died before getting to SOAR. Reading the Iowa Birding listserv, several reports of snowy owl sightings. This must be a year of for the lemming population to crash -- no food in their traditional range sends them south.
**Update - this female snowy only weighed 2 lbs. (a normal female snowy should weigh in the 4 lb. range) and died about an hour after the above photo was taken. When an animal has lost half its body mass, organs start to shut down and it is very difficult to keep these patients alive.
November 29
A 2011 hatch-year red-tailed hawk in Guthrie County was hit by shotgun shot. No broken bones but feathers were destroyed on the trailing edge of the middle of the right wing where the follicle meets skin. He will need to gain weight before he moves to a flight pen. Then it becomes a wait and see if when the feathers molt that they grow back properly for sustained flight.
This great-horned owl has an eye injury (see how the pupils are not equal) and there is blood in the eye with the large pupil, a deep cut on the opposite wing, no fractured bones, and is thin. The cut will be cleaned, the wing wrapped, and the owl placed in a crate in ICU for fluid and food therapy. The owl was likely hit by a car when flying across the road.
**12/13 Update - steroid drops helped heal the eye. The owl is in a flight pen.
**2/15 Update - has been in the flight pen a couple weeks and will soon be ready for release.
**3/3/12 Released at bald eagle event in Sioux Rapids
November 26
This juvenile red-tailed hawk (still has first-year tail feathers) was found near a molasses/DDG bulk feeder at a feedlot in Carroll County. DDGs are the dried distiller's grain that is a by-product of ethanol production that cattle producers use as a source of protein and will add molasses to the DDGs to increase the palatability. He has had one "Dawn bath" already but will need at least one more as his feathers are still sticky. He is already eating. Once the feathers are clean and dry he will be released.
**11/29 Update - his backside looks clean, but still needs another Dawn bath to remove the oily molasses from his feathers.
**12/13 Update - He had his 2nd bath and his feathers now look and feel clean. He's still thin and will stay in ICU until he gains more weight, then to the flight pen.
**12/26 Update - for unknown reasons, this hawk was found dead in the flight pen.
November 25
Raccoon hunters in Winneshiek County flushed a juvenile bald eagle and the bird flew into a pole. SOAR was able to meet up with a rescuer and pick up this bird. Photo from the 26th. He is starving -- weighs in at 6.5 lbs. He had head tremors, couldn't stand, but had no other injury. His BLL (blood lead level) is 9.7 µg/dL. Chelation therapy is not typically used with eagles with a BLL < 10 µg/dL, this is exposure level of lead. He will receive fluid and food therapy in the ICU.
**11/28 Update - This male is not a juvenile from the 2011 nest. Kay is thinking this bird is about four years old -- his head is just beginning to differentiate to white and body to black with the beak streaked with yellow.
He's still alive and keeping food down but still does not want to stand on his own, however, moving feet and legs, so not paralysis.
**11/29 Update - Seeing no improvement in the tremors and the ability to stand, chelation therapy was started today. He is keeping food down and has gained about 1/4 pound.
**12/2 Update - This male will get two more chelation injections, then have two days off medication. Seems as the head tremors are lessening. He continues to be hand fed and is eating.
**12/7 Update - The prognosis is not good for this young male. He was started on a second round of chelation therapy, but no improvement is being seen. He is still being hand-fed, is not interested in eating on his own.
**12/10 Update - He is certainly not "out of the woods" but is now taking food from the forceps (as opposed to having to open his beak and feed).
**12/13 Update - He was started on his 3rd round of chelation this morning. Mutes are no longer that "green" color of lead poisoning, but still not quite right. He is eating "like no tomorrow," but he still needs to be held and offered food in the forceps. All his body parts move, but for some reason he won't stand.
**12/22 Update - This juvenile finally succumbed to the effects of lead poisoning and died. He was suffering from chronic nerve damage.
Kay received a call of an injured eagle in northern Iowa on the 23rd. She picked up this bird on her way to a family holiday get-together. Kay texted on 24 November that this bird has "classic lead symptoms, started chelation" and this photo.
The bird's head is at the back of the crate and the head is tucked. The bird cannot stand. Note: the bright stripes on the left of the photo is light or sunshine into the crate.
From the description given to her by the rescuer, Kay surmised this eagle had some level of lead in its system and brought chelation medication with her. A blood lead level will be taken once back at SOAR.
As of the morning of the 24th, she (the eagle) was still alive.
This 15 second video clip taken 11/24 shows the classic symptoms an eagle affected by lead... difficulty standing and holding the head up, the wings are often help open, and the bird pants.
**11/27 Update - This female eagle is now able to hold head up a bit better and was able to keep a small bit of food down overnight. She was found in Dickinson County, Iowa. She was weighed on the 26th and is 10.5 lbs. Since she was started on chelation therapy on the evening of the 23rd, there was no point in taking a blood sample for a blood lead level now. Chelation therapy is a series of 8 shots every 12 hours (4 days on) and then 2 days off. Hope to get a blood lead level on her before her next round of therapy.
**11/29 Update - even with a BLL of 9 µg/dL this female is showing improvement. She can hold her head up, but the wings are still droopy. She is biting, footing, and wapping Kay with her wings -- yes, she's feisty. The eagle has been hand-fed food (with forceps and a gloved hand), but was given a small amount of food this morning to see if she's ready to eat on her own. This may be a bit early, but you don't know if she'll eat on her own unless you try.
**12/2 Update - She is eating on her own -- she had a huge meal of cut-up meat the evening of the 1st. Not much interest in food this morning -- likely she's full. Will be switching her into a crate with a perch and giving her food to tear up. She'll be monitored for her interest and ability to tear food and eat, as well as monitor the color of her mutes. See 9/16 eagle's 9/23 update for discussion about the color of poo.
**12/7 Update - She is ripping and shredding her own food! It's time to move her to the flight pen, but that will wait until the forecast overnight temps come up. Before she goes to the flight pen, another blood sample will be drawn for a BLL.
**12/9 Update - She ate an entire chicken yesterday! Still on track for a blood draw Saturday morning and then to the flight pen.
**12/10 Update - Her BLL was 6.6 µg/dL -- good it's under 10. Put her in the flight pen and she immediately went straight up to the far high perch.
**12/13 Update - Continues to eat well and is navigating the flight pen.
**3/24/12 Released at McFarland Park north of Ames.
Thanks to the Iowa DNR for arranging the pick-up point.
A light-colored red-tailed hawk was received from the Dallas County area with a fractured radius ulna. The wing was bandaged and will be checked in 10-14 days.
**12/13 Update - the fracture was checked on 12/1 and was not healing. Dead tissue was removed and the wound cleaned and the wing was bandaged again. The hope is that the wing will heal in a "normal look" as this hawk is very quiet and could have a good "career" as an education bird.
**12/30 Update - the fracture was checked mid-month and the bone was continuing to die so this young hawk was euthanized on 12/22/2011.
November 1
A rough-legged hawk from Webster County admitted with a fracture near the wrist and underweight. The wound was flushed and is in a carry-crate in ICU to minimize movement. The hawk is eating on his own. The photo at left shows the distinctive feathers on the legs of a rough-legged. This hawk is very light in color.
**12/13 Update - This rough-legged has permanent tendon damage at the injured wrist and cannot fly. This hawk will be transferred to the education permit.
November 1
A hatch-year red-tailed hawk was admitted from the Greene County area. Upon examination, no physical injuries were noted, but the hawk is severely underweight. The hawk has been given several small, juicy meals and is eating on own. This hawk is in ICU.
**12/13 Update - this hawk died on 11/4 and had been pooping green so after death a liver sample was taken and will be sent to the diagnostic lab.
A hatch-year trumpeter swan came in from Calhoun County. This young swan was seen no where near water and would not fly. Rescuer thought it was neck-banded, but turned out to have a patch of missing feathers on the neck. Upon arrival at SOAR, no apparent injuries, but extremely thirsty and hungry.
**10/31 Update - a bit of R&R and some cracked corn and water and this young bird is ready to go and needs to go soon so can migrate with other swans. Today will look for flock of swans at quarry near Atlantic.
**11/5/11 Released at Buena Vista swan area
September 30
A Cooper's hawk was found in the Des Moines area. The bird has two fractured femur. One knee joint does not look very good. Will provide supportive care and see if the joint improves.
**10/3 Update - The Cooper's is eating on own and putting weight on one leg.
**10/4 Update - Died
September 22
A hatch-year accipiter received from the Woodbury County area. Will need to weigh the bird and give thought as to if it is a male Cooper's hawk or a female sharp-shinned. This bird is starving and has a radius/ulna wound - if the bones were fractured, they are aligned and on the mend. This bird is eating, pooping, drinking -- all good signs. In fact, this accipiter was fervently de-feathering a meal and attracted the attention of the 9/16 juvenile bald eagle.
Thanks to the Iowa DNR for helping to arrange transport.
** 10/4 Update - the bird was weighed and is small... so a male Cooper's hawk.
**Released at SOAR
September 19
A hatch-year male sharp-shinned hawk received from the Polk County area. Upon exam, no broken bones but has pulled a muscle and/or ligament and is currently unable to fly. Since he's not underweight, this is a recent injury. He just needs some "R&R" to let his muscles heal and then time to exercise and regain strength. This bird will be tested for lead.
**10/11 Update - this young male is easily navigating this flight pen and will be banded and released 10/13.
Juvenile female bald eagle was hit on a road in the Decorah area while "dining" on roadkill raccoon. A passing car called the Raptor Resource Project (and waited for help to arrive) and Bob rescued the eagle (One of the folks from the car drove Bob's). Unfortunately the bird yacked up her last meal and a bit of blood all over Bob and his car. She could have some internal injuries.
After a quick call to SOAR, Bob discovered that Kay was going to be in NE Iowa the next day so could transfer the eagle to her. They agreed she (by size of beak and feet) was likely a two-year-old bird, having gone through one complete molt. She does not have any compound fractures, but is also not putting full weight on her left foot. She is not underweight and is feisty. Her first night at SOAR will be a quiet one with food and fluids offered.
**9/18 Update - This "juvie" does have some vision impairment. This was noticed while feeding her with forceps... the food had to placed in a certain spot for her to see and then snatch.
Because of the angle of the perch, it looks as if she is putting weight on her left leg. Look at the lean in her body to the right.
**9/19 Update - Juvie was not "fussed with" over the weekend, just offered food twice each day. She is near the three education bald eagles at SOAR and can hear them and has been calling back to them. No blood has been seen in her mouth or mutes (fancy word for bird poo). Juvie weighs in at 10.5 lbs - definitely a female. Kay is now leaning toward this bird being three because of the yellow coming on in her eyes and cere.
Visits to the doctor are often good news, bad news. Good news is that she has no fractures, just badly bruised. The not so good news is that her blood lead level (BLL) was at 0.119 ppm or 11.9 µg/dL. This indicates low lead exposure. When, from what? When is easier - sometime in the last 10 days she ate a small amount of lead along with her food. Small meaning not enough to kill her but enough to impair her. Once any animal ingests lead, it takes about two weeks for the body to do something with the toxin - either absorb it into bones and organs and/or excrete it. We'll never know what the lead source was.
Her BLL is not high enough to need chelation therapy. There are side effects to chelation that you have to weigh into the decision and with SOAR's experience with lead-affected eagles, with this BLL her body will rid itself of the toxin without additional therapies.
Photo by CE Hansen. This juvenile eagle is now in the 20'x20' intensive care room.
**9/23 Update - Juvie is still not eating on her own... but is eating when twice each day. Food in and poo out -- however her mutes are green which indicates she still has lead in her system. When another blood sample is drawn to measure her BLL, don't be alarmed if the level goes up. Think of it like reorganizing and cleaning a room - it gets worse before it gets better.
Her mouth lining is still pale indicating she is likely anemic. Beef heart is on the menu later today. The dark red meat will give her plenty of iron.
Her eyesight appears to be getting better as she is taking food from both sides of her beak and Juvie has become quite interested in a new patient in the ICU, peering through the air vents at this accipiter de-feathering a meal. She is putting more weight on her left leg, but still not an even weight distribution.
She will be moved to the 20'x20' intensive care room today. There she can have room to stretch her wings, move from perch to perch, and have a bigger bath pan -- but still be by herself and not be able to move too much.
**9/28 Update - She is still not eating on her own. She has been started on an anti-fungal / antibiotic to address any possible issues in her gut and has a few days left of this regimen. Juvie continues to be on a "chicken soup" diet being hand-fed with forceps. She is still limping -- usually a good four weeks with a leg injury before a bird will again use that leg normally.
**9/30 Update - Surprise! During morning chores, this juvie was not on the ground where last seen but was perched on the top of the inner door to the ICU room. Cut-up food and a whole piece of food was left for her. Checked back in later to find the cup-up pieces eaten. Progress.
**10/3 Update - Her BLL is down to 0.105 ppm or 10.5 µg/dL and her mouth lining is pink. She's not acting like she is having any trouble with her vision. There is definite improvement in her leg... she lands without hesitation, but when perched, she lists to her 'good side.' Her appetite is not typical eagle yet, was wormed for tapeworms just in case. She has been transferred to the 100' flight pen. She immediately flew to the middle perch and then to the high perch. Hopefully moving and expending more energy will increase her appetite. Now she moves into the physical therapy phase of rehabilitation.
**10/10 Update - She was messing with a fish head today (yum?). Can just barely tell that she is slightly favoring one leg. She is going back and forth in the flight pen from both high perches.
**10/12 Update - This bird's release is planned for Saturday, 22 October, 11:00 a.m. at Phelps Park in Decorah. If all goes as hoped, the true heroes of this bird's ordeal (the father and son who kept her safe alongside the road until Bob with RRP arrived) will be in attendance.
**10/21 Update - In preparation for release tomorrow, this eagle was weighed (10.75 lbs!) and USFWS band put on before loading into the carry crate. See photos above.
Female barn owl received from the Shelby County area. This owl had a broken tibiotarsus just below the knee AND a compound humerus fracture on left side. She was so bandaged she looked like a mummy. The compound fracture is healing as best can be. With compound fractures the bones break the skin and the ends of the bone die when exposed to air. The bone ends can't mend to each other and end up overlapping and healing side-by-side.
** 9/15 Update - Wing bandages were removed (leg bandages earlier)...leg is straight, is now able to stand up, putting a little amount of weight on that leg, some movement in those toes.
**12/5 Update - barn owl is in the flight pen for evaluation.
July 19
Peregrine falcons have been nesting on the Ottumwa Generating Station at Chillicothe, Iowa. Plant staff keep watch for the falcons (particularly Judy Johnson). On the 19th, Judy noticed a peregrine on the ground holding one wing askew. She called Pat Schlaurbaum with Iowa DNR and Pat arranged transport to SOAR. Her wing was fractured at the ball joint of the ulna of the right wing. Look at the added red circle on the x-ray. That is the ball joint and their is black line you can see running across the ball horizontally.
** 9/16 Update - She is in a flight pen making tentative flights.
**10/3 Update - Confident, acrobat flight, she is ready to go.
**10/5/11 Released
July 16
Female bald eagle from Ruthven admitted with a gash on right thigh. The wound was old enough that it could not be stitched but was cleaned and monitored.
**9/16 update - This last week she's able to go down and back in 100 ft. flight pen, still not strong and confident enough for release.
**10/3 Update - Finally starting to make confident, multiple trips in the flight pen.
**1/10/12 Update - Plan is to do a soft release starting today at SOAR. A soft release is one where the bird can leave when ready (she will be in an area of the hawk building where a door to the outside can be slightly opened) and food can be provided as needed to support release.
July 15
Hatch-year red-tailed hawk from Polk County received -- starving.
**8/28/11 Released
June 29
Hatch-year Cooper's hawk picked up from the Black Hawk Wildlife Rehabilitation group in Waterloo. This group has the necessary permits to rehab raptors, but not having an adult Cooper's to help foster this young bird, transferred the bird to SOAR. Possible hairline fracture.
**7/1 Update - in flight pen with 6/24 adult Cooper's.
**8/1/11 Released
June 28
A hatch-year Cooper's hawk was found after a storm in Carroll County.
**Released at SOAR
June 28
Hatch-year red-tailed hawk was brought in from Polk County. Found on the ground and underweight. Upon examination, bird has an already-healed fracture to the humerus. The alignment appears good, now just need to get weight back on the bird.
**7/1 Update - just now starting to eat on own.
**7/19/11 Released
June 27
Adult red-tailed hawk brought in from Marion County with avian pox. Just like chicken pox, avian pox is a virus and must run it's course. Avian pox mostly shows up on the feet and is very painful. This RTH found on the ground and very thin. In ICU. Is on antibiotics as a preventative for any secondary infection.
**7/2/11 died
June 24
Two hatch-year kestrels (one male and one female) also brought in from Polk County. Both starving. They are feathered, but not quite flying. They are with education kestrel.
**8/2/11 male kestrel released
June 24
Adult female Cooper's hawk (2nd year bird) found in Polk County. Suspect a concussion, vision not perfect, but good. Will continue to monitor.
**7/1 Update - 6/29 HY Cooper's hawk now with this adult in flight pen.
**8/11/11 released!
June 22
Hatch-year male peregrine falcon from the State Capitol nest was found on the ground, bleeding in the mouth - likely from a collision. Once at SOAR and evaluated, he had a very pale mouth indicating anemia and dehydration. You can look at your gums and tell if you are dehydrated. Look in a mirror and press on your gums, you will push blood from capillaries and your gum turns white (from pinkish) for just a second or so. If you are dehydrated, the spot will not turn back pinkish as quick.
**7/1 Update - he puked up a very green pellet in the ICU. The color is not normal and suspect lead issues. Blood was drawn and BLL on this day is 14 which means lead exposure. BLL drop over time, which means the BLL on the 22nd would've been higher. Pellet was dissected and contained grit from a small bird's gizzard! Uncertain of the lead source. No idea why he had an elevated BLL.
**7/5 Update - moved to flight pen.
**9/16 Update - is confidently flying! Plan is to release at the Whiterock osprey hack tower this fall once the osprey have started their southerly migration.
**9/20 Update - due to being in ICU for so long, damaged a couple tail feathers. Replacement feathers need to be imped in (a falconry technique where a good feather of the same kind is secured into the shaft of the bad feather) and then he can be released.
Adult turkey vulture found by Dallas County resident, on the ground, not wanting to fly. Bird has hair-line fracture near the wrist.
** 7/1 Update - now in a larger flight pen. The 6/18 baby vultures are now in same pen.
** This adult died 7/18 and we don't know why. :(
June 18
More flood victims arrived via Wildlife Lodge and Clinic in Sioux City. Two very young turkey vultures were rescued from their nest in a barn. The barn the nest was in was going to be underwater near the Missouri River -- so the family (property owners) wanted them rescued!
Thanks to Bob and Claudia, volunteers from Wildlife Lodge and Clinic for rescuing, providing interim care, and transport.
** 7/1 Update - these two are standing and walking about, eating on their own from a bowl of water with food in it like the picture above. They are now at the "cute, ugly stage." No need to worry about imprinting... these two now with the adult vulture.
** 7/21 Update - here is a photo of the young TV still at that "cute, ugly stage."
** 8/10/11 both young vultures released
June 10
Thanks to Wildlife Lodge and Clinic for transporting 2 hatch-year screech owls and 2 hatch-year red-tailed hawks (branchers, not quite ready to fly). In both cases, suspect flooding displaced these birds. These birds will spend a few days in ICU for evaluation before being put in respective flight pens.
**7/1/11 red-tailed hawk with a fractured wing -- not healing, bird was euthanized.
**7/2/11 red-tailed hawk released
**7/4/11 both screech owls released
June 1
A dark-phase Harlan's red-tailed hawk was found in Greene County. This bird was so thin, absolutely starved and died overnight.
June 1
Thanks to Buena Vista County Conservation for bringing in a young screech owl. This owl is in the flight pen.
May 31
A baby barred owl was found in Humboldt County - likely a storm-related find - this baby just showed up in someone's back yard just sitting and this was not appropriate habitat for this bird.
Thanks to Humboldt County Conservation for transport.
May 28
Not all our patients are raptors! A baby wood duck came in from Carroll County. This baby is doing well, still under a heat lamp.
**Released in early July at a local pond.
May 25
A red-tail hawk was received with a fractured radius/ulna. This fracture had healed to the point that the bones couldn't be bandaged in a good position. The break was between the bird's elbow and wrist. The elbow is working fine. This hawk has been put in the flight pen to evaluate flight.
Thanks to Mitchell County Conservation for transport.
May 24
Screech owl baby was brought in from Dallas County with possible injuries.
**6/10 Update - This owl moved to the flight pen.
May 18
Two baby barred owls received at Wildlife Care Clinic were transferred to SOAR. One couldn't stand like he had a calcium deficiency and later died. The other baby has a torn ligament in a wing. That is healing nicely.
**12/14 Update - the surviving barred owl is not able to be released and was transferred to Henry County Conservation.
Polk County Conservation was notified that a great blue heron was in distress. Staff were able to capture and bring to SOAR. The heron had a fish hook through its tongue and fishing line wrapped around one leg and also embedded into the esophagus. The fish hook was removed and as much of the fishing line as possible. The fishing line in the throat had cut the esophagus and was bleeding into the lungs. Wet lungs are never a good thing. The heron died the next day.
This is a sad example of what happens when anglers loose line and tackle. Please do your best to retrieve hooks, lures, and line broken off and please pick up all fishing line found lying on the ground.
May 18
Wildlife Lodge in Sioux City received 5 baby screech owls... and theses were transferred to SOAR.
**5/23 Update - the education female screech owl is foster parenting many baby screech owls!
**6/13 Update - This batch of babies has been moved to the flight pen.
Thanks to Iowa DNR for transport.
2 Released 6/30/11 at Whiterock Conservancy
May 16
Two barred owl nestlings received from the Wildlife Care Clinic at ISU Vet Med... from the same nest in Polk County, likely blown out of the nest by a storm.
**5/20 Update - one died - calcium deficiency
**6/13 Update - In flight pen with adult education barred owl.
May 12
Two birds brought in from Buena Vista County:
A screech owl nest was found destroyed with thee dead owlets and one still alive! After a day or two of observation and feeding, will be put in with our education screech owl for foster parenting.
**5/23 Update - this baby and many others are now in with the female education screech owl. She is feeding them all!
**6/20/11 screech owl released
Adult red-tailed hawk is very thin with a possible old shoulder or humerus injury.
**6/5/11 red-tailed hawk released at Sac County Conservation Board nature center grand opening.
Thanks to Buena Vista County Conservation for transport.
April 30
A hatch-year 2011 great-horned owl was rescued after a dog/cat attack in Shelby County. Appears the bird was just shook up, nothing appears broken. After a couple days in ICU was put in a flight pen.
**5/10/11 euthanized
April 28
A Swainson's hawk brought in from Webster County. This adult has a compound humerus fracture.
**5/10/11 euthanized.
April 25
A female hatch-year 2010 red-tailed hawk came in from Woodbury County with parasites and an old humerus fracture.
**5/15 Update - This bird has been moved to the flight pen.
**7/19/2011 Released
April 25
Two birds brought in from Adams County. Female broad-winged hawk with a fractured humerus died in transport.
Adult bald eagle received from Marion County. The bird cannot stand.
**5/12 Update - suspect organophosphate poisoning (a pour-on insecticide for livestock). There is no antidote, just food and fluids and time to see if the body will rid itself of the toxin.
**5/19 Update - moved to the ICU room... still not standing... is eating and pooping.
**6/13 Update - a blood sample was drawn and showed a blood lead level of 0.07 ppm (cause for concern and treatment starts at 0.10 ppm).
**6/22 Update - died
April 19
An adult Cooper's hawk crashed through a house window in Mills County. The bird has a broken lower mandible (jaw). He has been given fluids and will eat if the food is cut up small.
**4/20 Update - This bird died overnight.
Thanks to the Iowa DNR and Shelby County Conservation for transport.
April 18
A returning Swainson's hawk came in from Carroll County with a broken right tibiotarsus (lower leg bone). Guessing that this bird is a he. This is the first Swainson's SOAR has gotten in! He is not thin... and also not eating yet. His leg is splinted and wrapped. Suspect he was hit by a car and may have a concussion.
**5/12 Update - still favoring the leg, but is eating well and soon be moved to a flight pen.
**5/22 Update - moved to flight pen!
**6/18/11 Released
April 10
A belted kingfisher was brought in with a droopy wing. Suspect the recent storm may have tossed him around? Eating good. Will be moved to a larger pen soon.
**4/13 Update - suspect internal injuries contributed to her death.
Thanks to Calhoun County Conservation Board for transport.
April 10
A hatch-year, Arctic-phase great horned owl came in from Crawford County with a broken radius/ulna. This young bird was likely injured during a recent round of storms in the area.
**5/12 Update - in flight pen.
**6/13 Update - This owl can not sustain flight and is pending transfer to an education permit holder.
**6/18/11 transferred to Buena Vista County Conservation Board's education permit. This owl was not doing well at their facility and was transferred back to SOAR's education permit.
April 9
Two recently hatched great horned owls came in from Adair County... found after their tree was cut down. They were too small to place in an alternative nest site.
**4/20 Update - the larger of the two is starting to climb out of the box so was moved to be with the foster parent.
**5/12 Update - both are in a flight pen.
**6/5/11 Released at Loess Hills Prairie Seminar
April 4
A great-horned owl from Woodbury County came in with a head and eye injury.
**4/20 Update - Still thin and eating which usually indicates worms, was wormed, still in intensive care, needs more weight before moved to flight pen.
**5/12 Update - in flight pen.
**5/28/11 Released - This owl was released in rural Calhoun County.
A barred owl came in from Polk County with a broken radius/ulna.
**4/18 Update - bandages were removed but still in intensive care for another 7-10 days, he is eating well.
**5/12 Update - now in flight pen.
**2/26/12 Released Jester Park, Polk County
Thanks to SOAR volunteer, Kim Schreck, for transport.
March 26
A 2010 hatch-year bald eagle was rescued from a road ditch in Greene County. She has an old humerus fracture that has healed in decent alignment. She is emaciated weighing only 8 lbs. She has received fluids and is now eating on her own. A blood sample will be drawn to check her blood lead level.
**4/13 Update - She is still thin, but has gained one pound. She is not regaining use of her feet, her feet won't hold her weight up. Blood flow to her toes is good as they are warm to the touch and she does show some reflex. Suspect nerve issue. She has had one course of antibiotics and is now on an anti-inflammatory. If there is swelling pressing on any nerve, we're hoping the anti-inflammatory will help. She has been moved to the heated ICU room.
**5/12 Update - this eagle died May 1. After consulting with an experienced raptor rehabilitator from Wisconsin and explaining that after antibiotics and anti-inflammatory did not reduce swelling nor improve the condition of the bird being rigid/paralyzed from the hips down, suspect organophosphate poisoning (a pour-on insecticide for livestock).
Thanks to Greene County Conservation for transporting.
March 24
A bald eagle was transferred to SOAR from the Iowa State University Wildlife Care Clinic for post-operative care. The eagle was discovered by staff from Crystal Lake Wind Energy near one of their sites in Winnebago County. This bird weighs in at 13 pounds indicating this bird is a female. She had two breaks in both her right radius and ulna. She has six pins in the bone holding the pieces steady for healing. She is currently on antibiotics and the surgery site will need frequent antiseptic swabbing. A blood sample was pulled and her blood lead level is not a concern. The plan is take her back to the Wildlife Care Clinic in six weeks for an x-ray. Hopefully, the x-ray will show the bones have healed and the pins will be surgically removed.
**3/30 Update - taking her antibiotics and eating well. Wound area is healing.
**4/7 Update - her bandages were removed this past weekend. The bruising has gone away, the tissue pink, and feathers are regrowing. After removing her bandages, suspect that there may be too much of the wingtip missing and primary feathers for her to sustain flight. She is eating well. She is still in ICU until this weekend, when she will move to a larger enclosure that allows movement and fresh air and sunshine.
**4/11 Update - She was moved to a larger area... more room to move about.
**5/12/11 Update - Dr. Dirks (Dickinson County Small Animal Clinic) removed the pins, the bones healed, but appears that there is too much wingtip missing... currently in 20x20x20...will be moved to 100' flight pen to evaluate flight.
**5/19 Update - She was moved to the 100' flight pen, but is not flying :(
**6/13 Update - This is eagle is pending transfer to Mitchell County as education bird.
Thanks to the Crystal Lake Wind Energy staff for staying near the bird and keeping her safe and to IDNR personnel for rescue and transport.
March 21
A bald eagle from Lyon County was received. X-ray at Dickinson County Small Animal Clinic in Spirit Lake showed a dislocated elbow. Dr. Ross was able to "pop" the elbow joint back together and was confirmed by x-ray. If you've ever dislocated a joint, you know that the recovery is slow. The first Blood Lead Level (BLL) test showed 8.4 µg/dL.
**4/7 Update - when the bandages were removed, a follow-up BLL showed an increase, registering 15.6 µg/dL. Why would a BLL go up? When the bird (or animal) is badly injured, the body goes into a type of shut-down mode where digestion doesn't happen. As the body heals and starts functioning as it should, stored lead in their organs (first being the liver and kidney) is released back into the blood stream.
**5/12 Update - in 20x20x20 flight pen and is flying. Next step in recovery is flying in the 100' flight pen.
**5/19 Update - Moved to 100' flight pen, is easily flying the length, but not quite ready for multiple back and forth flights.
**6/13 Update - Is making multiple back and forth flights with some effort.
**10/3 Update - This bird has had a set-back. The elbow joint developed arthritis and does not allow for that wing to open and close normally. Multiple back and forth flights not possible. This eagle is pending transfer to Mitchell County as education bird.
Habitat destruction brought (trees and building in an old farm-site were bull-dozed) in two great-horned owl nestlings from Shelby County. They are still in intensive care until they grow a bit more and then will be moved to the pen with the foster parent great-horned owl.
**4/13 Update - these young 'uns are taking tentative flights!
Thanks to Shelby County Conservation for transporting (and thanks to the landowner for calling SOAR.)
**8/11/11 Released
March 17
A red-tailed hawk was received from the Marion County area with an old dislocation of the tibia-tarsus. The bone was dislocated so that the foot was at a right angle to the ground and had been that way long enough that the bones couldn't be returned to proper alignment. This bird had no use of that leg or foot and would not be able to hunt and survive; was euthanized.
Thanks to Marion County Conservation for transport.
March 17
A red-tailed hawk was brought in from Warren County with a dislocated elbow. The wing is wrapped to limit movement and the bird will be re-evaluated in two weeks. At that time would like to be able to move to a bit larger area to allow limited movement.
**Update - severe nerve damage impacted the shoulder joint... this hawk was euthanized on April 8.
Thanks to Warren County Conservation for transport.
March 5
A great-horned owl was found in rural Cerro Gordo County on a farm lane. Evaluation of the bird indicates that there has been trauma to the shoulder (possibly collided with a car?). The owl is in flight pen, still not flying, but is moving the wing and has full use of both wings.
**3/14 Update - while in the flight pen this owl started having seizures and the seizures were not stopping. This owl was euthanized on March 14.
Thanks to SOAR volunteer, Terrie Hoefer, for rescue and transport.
March 3
A red-tail hawk was recovered in Greene County and transported to SOAR. The bird had a fracture very near the wrist joint - so near that could not mobilize the bone. The bird is still in intensive care to control movement…both wings are in the normal position. The bird is eating good.
**4/15/11 Update - moved to the flight pen.
**7/2/11 Released
Thanks to Greene County Conservation for transporting.
February 28
A male kestrel was brought in from Polk County with a broken right tibia-tarsus (the lower leg bones are fused, unlike ours).
**3/30 Update - this kestrel is not in the flight pen regaining strength.
**5/5/11 Released
Thanks to SOAR volunteer, Kim Schreck, for transporting.
Week of January 24
A horned lark came in from Carroll County with injuries indicating head trauma -- died.
A red-tailed hawk came in from Greene County and showed symptoms of lead poisoning -- died. Will be sending liver to ISU Diagnostic Lab for testing.
A red-tailed hawk was received from Woodbury County with a leg injury -- still in intensive care, but is doing well.
January 19
A red-tailed hawk was received from rural Polk County with a leg sprain.
**3/30 update, bird is in the flight pen regaining strength.
Thanks to SOAR volunteer, Kim Schreck, for transporting.
**4/19/11 Released
January 13
Grey screech owl brought in from Polk County with a head and shoulder injury.
It is illegal to hunt, harm, harass, or posses any hawk, eagle, owl, falcon, or vulture. If you know of illegal activity that is or has taken place, you can anonymously report the activity through the Iowa DNR Turn In Poachers hotline.
December 25
A great-horned owl came in this evening from Carroll County with two fractured legs... it was caught in leg-hold traps (there were multiple sets). The owl was euthanized. We're not sure if the leg-hold traps were at exposed bait (not legal, see note) or if one of the multiple traps set with no exposed bait (legal) caught an animal and the owl came in for that animal and got caught in another trap.
December 20
A sharp-shinned hawk hit a window and was stunned. Sac County Conservation assisted with transport to SOAR. Initial exam showed no blood in the mouth, no broken bones, and pupils were equal. Bird is eating and pooping, likely will be a short stay for this one.
December 13
A snowy owl was picked up by a falconer friend near the town of Humboldt (and actually in Humboldt County) on the 1st. The bird is starving (she) and is full of feather lice. Thanks to the falconer who fed her the evening of the 1st and morning of the 2nd, she's still alive. We'll concentrate on getting more food and hydration in her before we address any worms and the lice. (Feather lice feed on detritus and don't really make a meal out of the bird itself.) This is the second snowy owl that SOAR has been called about. The other one was from Sioux City area over the Thanksgiving holiday and died before getting to SOAR. Reading the Iowa Birding listserv, several reports of snowy owl sightings. This must be a year of for the lemming population to crash -- no food in their traditional range sends them south.
This great-horned owl has an eye injury (see how the pupils are not equal) and there is blood in the eye with the large pupil, a deep cut on the opposite wing, no fractured bones, and is thin. The cut will be cleaned, the wing wrapped, and the owl placed in a crate in ICU for fluid and food therapy. The owl was likely hit by a car when flying across the road.
This juvenile red-tailed hawk (still has first-year tail feathers) was found near a molasses/DDG bulk feeder at a feedlot in Carroll County. DDGs are the dried distiller's grain that is a by-product of ethanol production that cattle producers use as a source of protein and will add molasses to the DDGs to increase the palatability. He has had one "Dawn bath" already but will need at least one more as his feathers are still sticky. He is already eating. Once the feathers are clean and dry he will be released.
**11/28 Update - This male is not a juvenile from the 2011 nest. Kay is thinking this bird is about four years old -- his head is just beginning to differentiate to white and body to black with the beak streaked with yellow.
A light-colored red-tailed hawk was received from the Dallas County area with a fractured radius ulna. The wing was bandaged and will be checked in 10-14 days.
A rough-legged hawk from Webster County admitted with a fracture near the wrist and underweight. The wound was flushed and is in a carry-crate in ICU to minimize movement. The hawk is eating on his own. The photo at left shows the distinctive feathers on the legs of a rough-legged. This hawk is very light in color.
A hatch-year male sharp-shinned hawk received from the Polk County area. Upon exam, no broken bones but has pulled a muscle and/or ligament and is currently unable to fly. Since he's not underweight, this is a recent injury. He just needs some "R&R" to let his muscles heal and then time to exercise and regain strength. This bird will be tested for lead. 
Peregrine falcons have been nesting on the Ottumwa Generating Station at Chillicothe, Iowa. Plant staff keep watch for the falcons (particularly Judy Johnson). On the 19th, Judy noticed a peregrine on the ground holding one wing askew. She called Pat Schlaurbaum with Iowa DNR and Pat arranged transport to SOAR. Her wing was fractured at the ball joint of the ulna of the right wing. Look at the added red circle on the x-ray. That is the ball joint and their is black line you can see running across the ball horizontally.
family (property owners) wanted them rescued! 
**4/7 Update - her bandages were removed this past weekend. The bruising has gone away, the tissue pink, and feathers are regrowing. After removing her bandages, suspect that there may be too much of the wingtip missing and primary feathers for her to sustain flight. She is eating well. She is still in ICU until this weekend, when she will move to a larger enclosure that allows movement and fresh air and sunshine. 
(BLL) test showed 8.4 µg/dL.
It is illegal to hunt, harm, harass, or posses any hawk, eagle, owl, falcon, or vulture. If you know of illegal activity that is or has taken place, you can anonymously report the activity through the Iowa DNR Turn In Poachers hotline.