Rehabilitation
Over the years we have received many injured birds, we accept all species with the exception of waterfowl. We just don't have facilities for ducks and geese. We have however, received virtually every other type of bird.
Rehabilitation is costly. For example, a young Great Horned Owl can consume a rat and a half each day. Rats cost around $4 each, if an owl is in rehabilitation for a few weeks, it becomes expensive! We always except charitable donations to help with the rehabilitation expenses.
A few success stories…
Below each photo is a short story about each bird.
From the Estes Park News...
ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 5 2015, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A MALE OSPREY HAD GOTTEN TANGLED IN WHAT LOOKED LIKE A LEASH USED IN NESTING MATERIAL AT THE LAKE ESTES POWER PLANT. A PASSERBY CALLED LOCAL BIRD REHABILITATOR AND DIRECTOR OF CARRI, SCOTT RASHID, AT 5:30 A.M. ALERTING HIM OF THIS BIRD IN DISTRESS.
THE OSPREY WAS HANGING BY ONE FOOT, FLAILING ABOUT, UNABLE TO FREE HIMSELF. SCOTT NOTIFIED RICK SPOWART OF COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE AND THE TWO CAME UP WITH A PLAN TO GET A BUCKET TRUCK TO GET UP TO THE BIRD TO TRY TO FREE HIM AND GET HIM MEDICAL TREATMENT. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, GETTING CLEARANCE AND MAKING SURE THE POWER LINES WERE SAFE FOR RESCUERS, THE BUCKET TRUCK WAS READIED AND SCOTT WENT UP WITH A POWER PLANT EMPLOYEE AND HE WAS ABLE TO FREE THE BIRD. THEY BROUGHT HIM DOWN AND TOOK HIM TO THE ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER FOR SOME FLUIDS AND AN EVALUATION BEFORE TAKING HIM TO BIRDS OF PREY FOUNDATION IN BROOMFIELD.
On May 6th 2015, we received a call about an Osprey hanging from the framework of the Estes Park Power plant.
An adult Northern Pygmy-Owl that had crashed into a window. Here it is in the flight cage exercising prior to its release.
A nestling Great Horned Owl. The bird's nest was too high to for the owlet to be placed back into. The feather duster is to mimic the feel of its mother.
Adult Northern Goshawk being hand fed. This bird had West Nile Virus and was unable to feed itself, or even stand for three weeks. This bird was in captivity for several months before being released.
This Northern Bobwhite was found with it's legs tied together and a weight wrapped between them. The quail spent several weeks with. We found a sanctuary for it where it would released into an area where it would not be hunted.
This Flammulated Owl was found on the ground and was raised by CARRI volunteers and released in the fall prior to its migration to Mexico.
Our director Scott Rashid rode the bucket truck up about five stories to retrieve the Osprey.
Scott bringing the Osprey down to be taken to a vet for an examination.
A Common Poorwill that was found during a Spring Snowstorm. These birds are insectivorous and with the cold and snow, it couldn't find food. Without insects they will starve. The bird was with us until the snow melted at which time it was released.
This Red-tailed Hawk was hit by a car. The bird had a concussion and needed some time to recover.
An Adult Great Horned Owl being hand fed after it was hit by a car. This bird was too sore to feed itself, so we cut its food into small pieces and fed him with a forceps.
The Western Bluebird was hit by a car and the Bullock's Oriole was found with a broken wing. Birds need companionship. They feel better in a group and seem to heal faster when they have friends.
This young Red-tailed Hawk fell from its nest. Here she is inside our flight cage. This bird was raised by foster parents prior to being released.
Scott untangling the Osprey.
The Bucket Truck with Scott inside; before the bird was rescued.
An adult Long-eared Owl that flew into a window at night. Nocturnal birds crash into windows at night just like daytime birds crash into windows during the day.
A Eurasian Collared-dove that crashed into a window and broke its right wing. Here it is exercising in the flight cage prior to being released.
Young Black-billed Magpie that fell from its nest and was unable to be placed back, due to the height o the nest.
These Tree Swallows had their nest box destroyed by a Black Bear. We took them in and raised them until they were old enough fly and feed themselves.
This juvenile Northern Goshawk had crashed into a window at the local library. Here she is in our flight cage prior to being released.
Below is a video of a juvenile Bald Eagle that our Director Scott rehabilitated and released a few years ago.