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| Return to Photos Orphaned
Killdeer
Follow the progress of these orphaned killdeer, from their arrival at WR&E until their release back into the wild.
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Four
tiny orphans were brought to a WR&E rehabilitator in late June
of 2006. They were each
about two inches in length and were able to eat and drink on
their own. The downy young killdeer must be kept warm (therefore, some
photos have a red tint from a heat lamp). |
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The
smallest, however, had an eye injury. Even with a veterinarian's treatment,
the little killdeer could not overcome the infection. In these, as well
as other birds, the optic nerve is so close to the brain that eye
infections quickly spread to the brain, and for this reason, the mortality
rate is rather high. |
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After
several days and the demise of the smallest killdeer, the largest killdeer
was seen pecking at the feet of the other two babies. These other
two began holding their feet up, so to prevent further possible injury,
the largest was housed in a separate container.
The little killdeer began eating meal worms. Two in one container and
the larger killdeer in the other live adjacent to each other with only
clear glass separating them. |
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After
about two weeks, the chicks are growing. Note the length of the tail.
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Even
as small as these chicks were, they enjoyed their baths.
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After being
with the WR&E rehabilitator for about two weeks, wing feathers are more visible
and developed. The little killdeer enjoy stretching those
developing wings! |
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The
two smaller killdeer on the left watch the larger killdeer stretch and
try out its wings. Once we saw a lot of these outstretched wings flapping,
we knew it wasn't long and they would be flying. |
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In approximately
three to four weeks after arriving at WR&E, the little chicks
graduated to an outdoor flight cage. |
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In only a few more weeks
the killdeer finally received their flying credentials! We moved them
from the flight cage to the release area in a carrier, and they looked very brave and anxious to see the world. |
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Suddenly finding themselves beneath a very large sky it took quite some time before the first little killdeer actually
took flight. Then it took the other two another half hour or so
to work up their courage.
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Return to Photos |
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To Contact Us:
713-643-WILD provides a partial list of our permitted rehabbers
713-861-WILD Direct line to
the Wildlife Center
E-mail: SharonSchmalz@wrande.org |
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