Rescue
Rescuers headed out to investigate this grey heron, who had, reportedly, been in the caller’s garden for 24hrs. Although walking fine, and moving away when approached, the heron was visibly weak and reluctant to take flight.
Still managing to give our rescuers the slip into some undergrowth, when he was finally located and caught, his prominent keel bone explained the bird’s lethargic state.
Rehabilitation
With the vet team giving him a full assessment and stabilising him with warmth and fluids, the first 24hrs were a little nerve racking.
But, with the use of Emeraid Piscivore recovery food, we got the wading bird started on a gentle feeding program, to get his appetite going again.
Fast forward 10 days he began eating us out of house and home. Previously too weak to even fly, he successfully passed his flight test.
Yes, we know what you're thinking, how on earth do you test fly a heron?! Well, unbeknownst to the snoozing badger cubs that by day reside inside the bunkers of our biggest aviary, we have been known to pop-in to test fly our slightly larger birds.
Still on the skinny-side, we, of course, want to send this guy or girl (if anyone knows how to identify a heron’s gender without the use of a tape measure, then let us know), back to the wild in tip-top shape.
Release
Well, gaining 700g, Mr or Mrs heron (we're still not sure) has certainly gained some holiday weight, as he has eaten a varied menu of delicacies during his two-week holiday.
Now, he's back to the grind of hunting for himself, but don't worry herons are remarkably skilled hunters, with an astounding 93% success rate in estuary habitats. But, they can also be lazy hunters, as professed by the kind home owner who allowed us to release our raring-to-go heron.
