MALLARD DUCK

MALLARD DUCK

Each Spring we receive dozens of ducklings, mallards and wood duck. Both species have precocial offspring, however the wood ducks are extremely delicate to raise in captivity. These nervous ducklings need to be tube fed and given antibiotics for the first week of their life. By utilizing these techniques, we have raised our release rate from 20% to 90%. Another interesting tid-bit about wood ducks is that they nest in trees and the ducklings need to drop approximately 6-10 feet from their nest in order to trigger their feeding response!

WOODCHUCK

One family needed to remove a woodchuck that was living under their porch. They choose to live trap the animal so that they could relocate instead of killing it. The next day a baby woodchuck came out in search of mom. We received the baby, examined it, and stabilized the little patient. It’s amazing to see a young animals’ will to survive by gregariously accepting all meals offered. His gracious demeanor changed quickly over the next few weeks into a raging rodent. So much for snapping the hand that feeds you!

COMMON LOON

This adult loon was found alongside a road in East Aurora. During a heavy rain, the loon had mistaken the wet road for a creek and tried to land on it. Loons cannot take off and fly unless they are on open water. After many meals of smelt and other fish, we were happy to release this fascinating bird. As expert divers, loons have eyes that can focus both in air and under water. They are also able to concentrate oxygen in their leg muscles to sustain them during their 200 foot dives.

COOPER'S HAWK

This small hawk is an accipiter which feeds on song birds. It was shot and taken to Tri-County in April for treatment. It was then transferred to Hawk Creek Wildlife Center for physical therapy and aerobic conditioning. Accipiters are extremely high strung birds that are difficult to house and feed in captivity. Alison Churchill, one of our interns had the honor of releasing this patient. This impressive flyer easily negotiated the dense trees as he darted into the woods. By working together, we were able to give him a second chance.