The Educators

The majority of the 400 yearly cases that have been treated at the Wild Bird Clinic are a result of human error, ignorance or deliberate cruelty. Many birds are so severely injured that euthanasia is often our only option. In cases when we are dealing with an endangered species, we try to place the bird into breeding programs or educational facilities. Some birds are placed into appropriate educational programs. Find out more about our new education program, WEEP (Wildlife Education and Environmental Programs).

Socrates Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) As carrion eaters, Turkey Vultures are often seen on or near roads eating animals that have been hit by cars. While feeding in this manner, Socrates was struck by a vehicle and suffered extensive wing damage. He was brought into the clinic in 1987, and many attempts were made to save the injured wing. Unfortunately, the damage was too severe and all repair attempts ultimately failed. The wing was therefore amputated. Despite this setback, Socrates recovered from his surgery and he has remained at the WBC as the original member of our educational team, delighting children and adults all over southern Ontario. At 19 years, Socrates is our oldest resident bird.
Calypso Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) Calypso was part of a captive breeding program in Alberta. He was released in August of 1992 by the Ministry of Natural resources as part of a release program at York University. Shortly afterwards (September) he was brought to the clinic with a fractured (radial/ulna) right wing. The injury was probably the result of a collision with the ground or some other object, as these birds hunt by stooping at their prey. Such collisions are common occurrences as young peregrines learn to hunt. The fracture healed improperly leaving Calypso's wing in an unnatural position. He can only fly short distances and would not survive in the wild.
Einstein Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) Einstein was brought to the clinic in April of 1994. She was found along with two of her siblings between a farmer's house and barn after their nest tree had been cut down. Fortunately, her siblings were taken to the Owl Foundation in Vineland, Ontario to be fostered and were eventually released back to the wild. Einstein, hatched later than her siblings, had already imprinted on the humans at the Clinic who had rescued her and due to this irreversable process, unfortunately could not be released. Due to Einstein's captive up-bringing, she has become a wonderful addition to our program-- her beauty, size, and power inspires respect and awe everywhere she goes.
Whistler Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) This Broad-winged Hawk was found unable to fly and sitting on her hocks. Upon examination it was noted that she was anorexic, her wings were drooping and she was uncoordinated. Nothing unusual was observed on the radiographs or in blood tests (a possible indication of organophosphate toxicity). Once she was stabilized, her rehabilitators observed behaviours that were not typical of a wild bird. She would step up onto the glove, sit there calmly, and peep at everyone. It was also determined that she was comfortable with groups of individuals and in a travel cage. It became obvious that she had previous human contact and had been imprinted on humans. She was then re-assessed and accepted into the education program due to her calm disposition.
Kaila Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) After being hit by a car on February 12, 1997, Kaila was picked up by the Hamilton SPCA and taken to The Mountsberg Wildlife Centre. She was kept at Mountsberg for three days and was then admitted to the OVC. Upon examination, she was found to have a head tilt to the right and did not seem to notice visual stimuli on her right side. She would also circle on her perch and occasionally had difficulty balancing (signs of head trauma). Although the symptoms of her head trauma improved, an ophthalmology examination revealed that she was blind in her right eye, thus making her unreleasable. Because of her apparently calm disposition, it was decided to try her out as an education bird.