Over the past couple of weeks, we have received numerous wildlife patients. We have had a range of all sorts, a hedgehog, adult & chick pigeons, magpie fledglings, jackdaw chicks etc.
Some have been a success and others, sadly not.
On Friday we had two successful releases.
1st release, a pigeon came into with a few damaged wing feathers and severe balding on his back. 2 weeks in captivity and good grub, his condition came back in no time! All he needed was a bit of TLC on his bald patch and rest for his recovery.
2nd release, Pinchy. . . . the magpie fledgling had been with us for approximately 3 weeks.
He was found randomly on the ground with no other sign of other fledglings or parents.
The interesting fact about magpies is they leave the nest before their tail feathers start to grow, and then remain on the ground under hedges whilst their parents’ hang around nearby.
The fledglings are fed by both parents for 4 weeks after leaving the nest and they stay within their parent’s territory for approximately 2 months.
Within these 2 months their parents still feed them and gradually teach them how forage for food and so on.
Whilst Pinchy was in our care, he was being hand fed and gradually learnt to feed for himself and to find his food which was scattered around his enclosure. They are intelligent birds, so it didn’t take him long to learn.
If you see unusual activity of adult magpies swooping around in circles close to the ground it is most likely they are protecting their young. If you come across magpie fledglings, only intervene if they look harmed and need to be rescued, otherwise leave them be because their parents will be close by.
Hopefully the 2 wildlife patients are doing well in the wild and they are letting their natural instinct take over.
