Yellow billed loon (Gavia adamsii):

On April 17, 2010, a group of Juneau Audubon members got more bird watching than they had expected.  While out on a morning bird walk they found a yellow-billed loon stranded above the high tide line near Fish Creek on Juneau’s Douglas Island.  These experienced bird watchers realized the loon was in distress and contacted the Juneau Raptor Center.  A JRC volunteer provided some information on handling the bird and then headed out to collect the bird. 

The Audubon group was just arriving at the trailhead with the bird wrapped in a blanket and being carried by two people when JRC drove up.  The bird was quickly transferred into the care of JRC and taken to a volunteer’s home for treatment.   Loons are not a bird normally seen by JRC and require some special housing arrangements such as being placed on a net and have access to running water for maintaining their waterproof coat. 

JRC contacted the Alaska Sealife Center (Seward, Alaska) for treatment information and to make arrangements for transfer to their care.  The bird was examined and tube fluids for two days to stabilize the bird before transferring it to the Sealife Center on April 19th.  The volunteer housing the bird was thrilled to hear the haunting call of a loon in his house.  This made it a very special weekend for the JRC.

Update:  The Sealife Center staff contacted JRC to say the bird arrived in excellent condition and was doing well; the bird even caught and ate a fish.  The medical exams indicated a possible avian pox infection or fungal infection in the air sack.  The bird remains under treatment.

Update:  As of 5/2/2010, the Alaska Sealife Center reports that for a loon in captivity, the bird is eating great and is doing well. The problem seems to lay in the use of his right leg. Multiple x-rays have been taken and are currently being sent out for further evaluation.  It seems as if some dislocation has caused muscle atrophy. While they are not 100% positive he will regain use of that leg, they are leaning toward deeming him non-releaseable. Since he is doing so well, they have started the process of seeing if there are any facilities interested and have had two responses within a few hours: one from Central Park Zoo and the other from Denver Zoo. The Minnesota Zoo is also interested. The Sealife Center will be doing some final evaluation and tests this week and making a decision. The Juneau Raptor Center did a fantastic job with the stabilization process and shipping. Thanks to the Audubon Society for reporting and rescuing him and thanks to you for your fine work.  If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact me. Thanks again and have a great day. Tim Lebling, Stranding Coordinator. Work: 907-224-6399; Toll free: 800-224-2525 x6399

6/1/2010 update from Seward Alaska Sealife Center:  Unfortunately this weekend we had to euthanize the loon due to the bird testing positive for Avian Influenza and wanting to maintain human safety and that of other animals..  Thanks to all the staff and volunteers involved from the original pick up.  Mellow Yellow (name given to bird by Alaska Sealife Center staff) will be missed by all.     

Solomon (adult bald eagle) (Haliaeetus leucocephalus):

On April 8, 2010, JRC volunteers responded to a call about an adult bald eagle in Juneau's Lemon Creek area.  Upon arrival they found the bird on the ground and feeding on a dead raven.  The bird waseasy to capture.  Examination revealed a thin, not buggy bird.

He was kept in a large door kennel for several days, standing/perching and expressing his displeasure.  He ate well and based on his lively nature was placed in the flight mew.  It didn't take long for him to reach the high perches.  Now that we have water to the flight mew, we have filled the large bathing pool and several of the birds have already used it.  Solomon will greatly benefit from bathing as his tail feathers and face are quite dirty.  This bird's chances for release appear to be good. 

UPDATE:  Solomon.  We're happy to report that Solomon was released back to the wild in mid May 2010. 

Bunny (adult bald eagle) (Haliaeetus leucocephalus): 

On March 19, 2010, JRC volunteers responded to a call about an adult bald eagle standing on the side of the road in the vicinity of AEL&P on Glacier Hwy.  Upon arrival, they found two Juneau Police and one Naval officer there guarding the bird.  He had been hit by a car.  When approaching the bird, he flew a few feet and was then captured.  
 
Examination of both wings revealed no apparent breaks but there appears to be some minor bruising of his right wing. His pupils dilated slowly but are now normal; there was no blood in ears and his crop (pouch where food is stored before digestion) was full.  He was given medication for a possible head injury and placed in a large dog kennel.  He’s perching and is quite feisty. 
 
The exam also showed a previous beak injury on the left side so this area is a bit deformed but this is an old injury and not related to the car strike.  
 
He is being treated for a possible head injury and is currently being given fluids orally as he does not take food yet. 

UPDATE:  Because the bird is now eating solid food, he was recently transferred to the flight mew and has already reached the high perches.  We hope he will be released soon.  Check back for updates.   

UPDATE:  We're glad to report that on May 19, 2010, Bunny was released back to the wild; a crowd of about 40 witnessed this happy event!

Wings (Rough-legged Hawk): We were quite excited to learn that we are now caring for a rough-legged hawk.  In early November 2009, this bird was found standing on a fence post along the road in Haines, Alaska.  The person that discovered the bird was able to walk right up and pick it up.  A local biologist cared for the bird for two days by feeding him ground turkey and a sports drink.  As they most generously always do for JRC, Wings of Alaska transported the bird to Juneau for free.  Examination revealed a very thin first year bird - probably a "failure to thrive."  X-rays by SE Alaska Medical Clinic revealed no broken bones.  This bird is now eating on his own and we are optimistic about his chances for release.  Having a rough-legged hawk is a first for JRC!

UPDATE:  Wings will be spending the winter in Alaska with plans for a spring 2010 release.

4/4/2010 UPDATE:  This is the time of the year for rough legged hawks to migrate.  We are glad to report that Wings was released today in Sitka to begin this journey!  Like all raptors, he was banded with a U.S. Fish and Wildlife numbered leg tag; the tag is specific to this bird for identification purposes.  

Juvenile bald eagle:  On March 16, 2010, JRC received a juvenile bald eagle from Angoon.   She was captured on March 12 by Angoon VPSO Cpl. Hartsell but bad weather delayed her flight to Juneau which was generously provided by Alaska Seaplanes. 
 
Examination revealed a very thin bird who had been on the ground for some time; her left wing had a hole in the top middle of the patagium (skin between the wrist and the shoulder).  Fortunately, no other wounds or breaks were found in the initial examination. 
 
Treatment included tube feeding with Pedialyte, baby food, and Nutrical. She also received Baytril (antibiotic) and Iron and vitamin injections.  She was sprayed for feather mites.
 
This bird has graduated to eating salmon and is getting stronger.  A veterinarian that specializes in birds has been contacted about the treatment for the bird's wing injury. 

UPDATE:  Despite daily meticulous care for this eagle's injury, the hole in the patagium kept getting bigger.  It was apparent that the wound would not heal properly to facilitate release back to the wild or placement in a facility.  The decision was made in late March to humanely euthanize the bird.  

Percy (great horned owl):  It was early Thanksgiving morning 2009 and JRC received a call about a possible great horned owl down and sitting under a tree in Juneau's Lemon Creek area.   JRC volunteer Dale Cotton, living closest to this area, responded to the call.  The bird was a great horned owl found sitting under a pine tree.  The gentleman that had called it in was sitting by the sidewalk watching him.  With his help, they captured the bird and brought him to Dale's home.

Examination revealed no broken bones and no obvious external injuries were noted.  He was extremely wet and thin.   Both of his eyes opened by themselves and pupils were both equally reactive to light  (very important for their vision).  He also acted very tired.   Dale dried him off the best that he would let her and placed him in a kennel.  She left him alone until later in the afternoon where she found him more alert; as she approached the kennel, he made his warning clacking noise.  She checked him out again, gave him a dose of steroids, returned him to the crate and fed him.   She has continued to care for him and he has became stronger and extremely alert.

After the first week, he was then taken to larger enclosure to make sure he would be able to maneuver and fly.   Dale reports that he is doing that quite well and should be released shorty.

UPDATE:  Percy was successfully released back to the wild near the area he was found on Sunday, December 27.  A group of about 30 attended and cheered when he was released.   
 

Skootch (Northern Pygmy owl): On November 19, 2009, JRC responded to a call from a person on Cloverdale Street, Juneau, about a Northern Pygmy Owl. The person who found him was able to walk right up and pick him up off of his porch. When JRC responded, the bird was much more feisty. It's believed he hit a window and was stunned. Examination revealed normal pupils and he was not thin. Just to be safe, he was given Baytril (antibiotic) for three days. 
UPDATE:  Because it’s very important to release an owl in the area he calls home and a quick turnaround for release is critical, he was released on November 22nd. 

Sheila (raven): On October 18, 2009, JRC responded to a call about a raven that could not fly near the valley's Mendenhall River School.  It took four people  to catch the bird, two young girls that reported the bird, the father of one of the girls and a JRC volunteer.  Examination revealed a somewhat thin bird with a wing droop; her left shoulder seemed swollen - most likely an impact injury.  The bird also had a foot deformity, which may have been caused by an impact injury or birth defect. She was fed in a large kennel for a few days & then moved to a small outdoor enclosure. She moved around well in the enclosure & vocalized frequently, but it appeared no other bird answered her. Even with the deformed foot, she could stand easily on a perch that was an inch an a half wide. So, JRC concluded that she could perch in most trees & keep safe from predators.

After two weeks, she was moved to a much larger area (the Maas bird sanctuary) where she could get more exercise and was named Sheila.  There she continued to vocalize and gain strength flying in her enclosure.

On November 14, she was released back to the area where she was rescued.  She flew very strong into the distance before turning out of sight.  We wish her well!

Henry (barred owl):  Sept. 2009 JRC picked up an injured barred owl on Thane Road. The owl was very wet because it was raining hard that day. His left eye was closed which usually indicates a head injury. He was tube fed and given antibiotics and a steroid medication. Oct. 2009: he is doing better; now progressed to large outdoor enclosure, is eating on his own; plans are to release him after he demonstrates he can catch/kill his own food. UPDATE:  On 10/25/2009, Henry was successfully released back to the wild.  Because owls are very territorial, he was released near the area where he was found.

Hermes (raven):  On 10/2/2009, JRC picked up an injured raven from the Switzer Village area.  Bird was X-rayed the next day; X-ray revealed a soft tissue swelling in the elbow but no fracture. The bird is now on steroids and antibiotics. Here's hoping for a good recovery for Hermes.
UPDATE:  Hermes was released back to the wild on 10/13/2009 where he was first spotted: Juneau's DZ Middle School.