or: The little Bird that always wanted to be a “Raptor”
In December of 2005 we received a rare Northern Shrike. In the 25 years of rehabilitating raptors, only three Northern Shrikes have been admitted. It is such an unusual little bird, almost un-assuming, but quite efficient when it comes to make a living. Some raptor centers consider them “eligible” as raptors and even accept them.
The Northern and the Loggerhead Shrike makes a living by catching its prey, such as mice, birds and insects. Lanius incubator, the Northern Shrike is known also as the butcher bird due to its unusual practice of impaling prey on thorns or barbed wire, much in the way butchers hang up meat in their shops. Mice, other birds, and large insects form the bulk of the shrike’s diet.
This is a strong, perching bird of medium size which has evolved characteristics, such as the strongly notched bill to tear flesh, of typical birds of prey. Its plumage is a soft, silver-grey, with dark brown, almost black, wings and tail. The Northern Shrike is found in Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, and ranges across Canada from coast to coast. It winters in the more southerly parts of this country. It has a well-developed song of its own and is capable of imitating the songs of several birds. It stakes its prey on thorns, even barbed wire, and then consumes them. Its hunting grounds often can be found by findings of impaled prey in visible areas.
Our precious little shrike arrived with severe neurological problems on his left foot. The foot was curled up in a ball, unable to extend. There were no fractures found. He was unable to even walk.
Our treatment protocol was passive: supportive care and good fresh food. Physical therapy was not applied due to the high-strung and easily-stressed nature of this particular species. Daily handling would probably have killed this bird in short order. We presented fresh-killed mice on a dish, weighed down by a rock. We attached the food to the dish with a hemostat. A source of soft, clean towels, wooden perches and water was always available. Our shrike tore his food happily from his “impaled” source and ate it. He never missed a meal.
More than three weeks passed and his little left foot remained curled up in a ball. However, in his fourth week of captivity suddenly his toes began to stretch out and regain function. He was moved into an outdoor aviary, where he perched perfectly and demonstrated full recovery.
It was a happy release that we planned close to the place of his recovery. He flew well and landed in a tree, eager to continue his life. May he live long and prosper!
Photos by Peggy Wrabetz and David B. Dean
Thanks to all our volunteers who cared for him and insured a successful release.
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