Juvenile Black-shouldered kite. One of our raptor patients at Bohollow at the moment. This bird came in after being found out in a rural farm paddock with a badly fractured leg. Cast is off now and had light physiotherapy on the leg. Grasps food now with it and has movement in toes, although this kite is by no means out of the woods yet. If this bird was a galah or a magpie, prognosis for release would be almost certain but for a bird of prey, life is tough out there. Raptors have to absolutely perfect on release or the probability of survival out there is very slim. Feathers have to be perfect and feet have to be fully functional. Feathers and feet are what a bird of prey relies upon to be able to hunt successfully. They catch prey with their feet so have to be able to grasp properly and also have good movement in their legs as they use these to strike their prey with. So this bird still has a lot of rehabilitation ahead of her before it will be determined if she can make it out in her wild environment as we would never release a critter which we were doubtful about having the best possible chance of survival without us.
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 09:52:42 +0000
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