Ethan, Libby, and a couple of neighbor kids were playing in the backyard when Ethan ran into the house, breathlessly shouting: "Nature emergency, NATURE EMERGENCY!" I looked at him quizzically and asked what he was talking about. "There's a bird in the backyard with a broken wing." I didn't believe him right off as I was sure he was exaggerating, but sure enough...there was a bird and its wing was most definitely broken. I have no idea what you do with a broken bird so I scooped it up (after a few false tries) and put it in the kids' outside toy box. Then I called my mother and my friend Sarah. Neither of them knew what to do with it. So I called Idaho Fish and Game. The nice lady who answered the phone gave me a couple of phone numbers to try.
One was the number of the Ruth Melichar Bird Center. They told me to bring it on in. So the four kids and I took the bird in. About the only thing we found out was it was a Flicker. Further research indicates it was likely a female Northern Flicker. The lady at the bird center didn't seem too optimistic (but I think she was also a lot better with birds than with people) but she said they would try their best. I was just thankful to have a place to take it. It would have been dreadful if the only thing I could do was put it out of its misery - I'm not sure the kids would have ever forgiven me.
5 comments:
What an adventure! Did you guys name her? Or did avoid that since the future didn't look so bright for her?
We have been to the bird rescue many times, every year a bird builds a nest in our wobbly pine tree, and sure enough the babies fall out. Kolby has such a big heart and we have to save them all! I'm sure he will be a volunteer there when he's older!
We took the rooster that was running around our place to the same bird place. unfortunately, he didn't make it. I hope your bird makes it.
Oh my gosh, Katie, you are BRILLIANT. :) I can totally hear you narrating through the whole experience, LOL - it just cracks me up to read your stories and commentary! (And, erm, I hope it was *supposed* to be funny, because if not, I'm going to sound like a total jerk, LOL...)
We didn't have a chance to name her. I was completely focused on figuring out what to do with her. I've had to put down a pet rat, not sure I wanted to do the same thing a bird.
Krista-Thanks for the encouragement. I do hope to be mildly amusing but am not sure how often I am.
Beth-If I had only know I would have called you first to find out what to do with the bird.
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