Happy National Wildlife Day! 🌎🐿️🦉🦅🦝
On this National Wildlife Day, we're proud to have provided care for 7,182 animals across 193 species so far this year. Every life matters, and we're committed to protecting and rehabilitating our precious wildlife. 🌍❤️🐿️🦉🦅🦝🌿 #NationalWildlifeDay #WildlifeConservation #PeninsulaHumaneSociety
#WildlifeWednesday Two juvenile red-tailed hawks arrived at our care facility, just one day apart and from neighboring blocks in Half Moon Bay. Given their similar age and proximity when found, they seemed to be siblings who had recently fledged from their nest but encountered trouble soon after. One had collided with a window, showing signs of head trauma, while the other was limping on its left leg. After receiving dedicated care for over three and a half weeks, we were thrilled to release both hawks together.The highlight of their release was witnessing a heartwarming sight: as our rehabilitated hawks took flight, their parents were nearby and promptly joined them in the sky. It was a poignant moment as they flew off together, reunited and free.Fun facts about Red-Tailed hawks: Red-tailed hawk fledglings typically leave the nest at 44 to 46 days old. Although they start to develop their hunting skills and independence during this period, their parents continue to feed and care for them for another four to seven weeks. Some juveniles may even stay with their parents for up to six months after fledging, gradually becoming more proficient hunters and explorers of their surroundings. 🦅🦅 #redtailedhawk #familyreunion #birdsofafeather
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Make sure to watch until the end for the most musical surprise.
This adorable hatchling Acorn Woodpecker arrived in our care after falling out of his nest in Redwood City. His nest was unfortunately too high up for Wildlife staff to put him back, so he is currently spending time in our hospital growing up big and strong. Watch how fast this baby grows up in just 4 weeks! This curious and cheeky young male, identified by his red cap that extends all the way to his white forehead (whereas females’ red caps is only present on the back of their heads), loves to eat and explore his enclosure!
Acorn woodpeckers are known for their habit of storing thousands of acorns in holes they drill into trees, fenceposts, utility poles, buildings, automobile radiators, and natural holes and cracks in bark. These holes are called granary trees, and one tree may have up to 50,000 holes. In the winter, when other food sources are scarce, the woodpeckers eat the acorns they stored in the late summer and fall.
Acorn woodpeckers live in large social family groups consisting of up to 16 birds! They demonstrate communal nesting where all the group’s breeding females lay their eggs in a single nest. Young woodpeckers stay with their parents for several years and help raise more young. #woodpecker #babybird #wildliferehab #conservewildlife #cuteanimals #bayareawildlife #bayareaanimals
They're great, they're blue, and they're herons!
Check out this snippet of a Great Blue Heron taking off - their large bodies necessitate a short running start and a jump to take flight. Observe the neck movement as it takes off - the neck begins extended to aid in takeoff, but as it reaches flight level the neck will retract into an S shape so that its head rests on its body.
Great Blue Herons hunt fish along the water's edge, which can cause issues when fishers leave fishing line in the water. This heron was brought in after a concerned citizen noticed it remained near a pond and wouldn't take off. Closer inspection revealed fishing line wrapped around its primary flight feathers. The inability to use these feathers, as well as the general stress of entanglement was likely preventing the heron from flying. Fortunately, damage to the feathers was minimal. Hospital staff at WCSV cut out the fishing line, and after a few days the heron was ready for release!
"Western Screech Owl you are cleared for take off, over"
Happy Release Friday! After a series of successful flights and hunts, this little owl is ready for the big world. Check out one of its indoor flights!
Freedom Friday! As our busy season comes to an end, we are seeing less orphaned wildlife cases coming through our doors. This means that the orphaned wildlife we received during the summer months are reaching a point in their rehabilitation journey where they are becoming self-sufficient and are ready for their life in the wild. Check out this flock of mallard ducks that we recently released this week. This happens to be our last round of ducks for the season (out of the 422 that we raised just this year!)
What the peck! Just last week, this nestling acorn woodpecker was discovered helplessly sitting on the ground. With no cavity, or a family unit in sight to return it to, the woodpecker was brought to WCSV where it would be safe and properly cared for. Acorn woodpeckers are cavity nesters and are known to reuse the same nesting holes repeatedly for years. Although this nestling did not intentionally fledge from the cavity too early, it is not uncommon for young birds to accidentally fall out--especially during heatwaves. Wondering where these woodpeckers get their name? Acorns make up 53% of their diet and these birds are known to drill holes in trees for acorn storage during autumn months. Once the nestling in our care is old enough to be transferred to an outdoor enclosure, we will be sure to observe this instinctive behavior before it is considered ready for release! We are also in the process of networking with other rehabilitation groups to find a buddy for it. Until then, this orphaned woodpecker will remain in our baby bird area where it will receive frequent feedings and care.
Just yesterday, a frightened little brush rabbit was brought to us from Monte Sereno. The small rabbit was caught by a household cat who, with every intention to make its owners proud, brought it home as a gift. However, this poor rabbit was still alive and the cat’s owners did not want the rabbit to suffer, so they carefully placed it in a box for transport to WCSV. They must have gotten to it just in the nick of time because no major injuries were sustained, and during its exam it appeared to be in good health. Rabbits are easily stressed creatures, so it is currently in our rabbit room where it will get peace and quiet until it is ready to be released!
Last month we received a skunk that was found caught in an illegal gopher trap. This poor animal was suffering terribly as its front left paw had been crushed by the trap for an unknown period of time while it struggled to free itself. Animal services were called out to retrieve the skunk and brought it to us where we were able to carefully remove the trap and treat the injuries that remained. Unfortunately, one of the skunks' paw digits had to be amputated due to the loss of circulation while thankfully the remaining digits were spared. After treating him for about a month this juvenile skunk showed improvement. This little guy has made a successful recovery and will be released within the next few days!
Just in! On Wednesday, a pair of brewer’s blackbirds were found after they were left in front of a local pet store. A worker found them with no nest, no parents and no background information provided from the mysterious person that had left them there. Blackbirds are rather common throughout most of California and can be found in a variety of habitats, including urbanized areas. They feed on mostly insects, and these two growing birds require feedings every 30 mins! We suspect the finding party fed the birds some type of formula as they have some crusted to their face and head. If you find orphaned wildlife-please don’t feed it! We will continue to wash their feathers to remove the caked formula. These two will be in our care for at least a month before they are old enough to be on their own!
If you have pets, you know that keeping their living spaces clean is of utmost importance to keep them healthy. The same goes for our wild animal patients here at WCSV! If left in dirty conditions, sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife cannot be successfully rehabilitated.
It is due to the daily efforts of our tireless volunteers that we are able to provide clean kennels, cages, and enclosures for mammals, songbirds, corvids, raptors, waterfowl, and even reptiles and amphibians! Our animal care volunteer team members sanitize everything down to the smallest individual food dishes, ensuring that there is no chance of our patients getting sick due to possible contamination in their environment.
Do you like to roll your sleeves up, and tackle the tough jobs? If this sounds like you, apply now at WCSV.ORG/volunteer!
Volunteers must be 16 years or older, and have reliable transportation to and from WCSV. No prior experience is necessary! Applicants must attend an online orientation class, and complete our pre-recorded Introduction to Wildlife Rehabilitation Class before signing up for a volunteer shift. Shifts are four hours per week (9 am to 1 pm, or 1 pm to 5 pm). Applications are subject to review, and all approved applicants will receive instructions on how to sign up for new volunteer orientations. Email any questions to Michael Chen: [email protected]
#makeadifference #wildliferehab #helpushelpthem #ittakesavillage #teamwork #wcsv #wildlife #bayareanonprofit #bayareanature #sanjose
Looks who is hanging around WCSV!!! Can you guess what species this is? Share what birds you are seeing in your yard on this beautiful Friday☀️
Our songbird season is just around the corner, and we need your help to take care of them!
Songbirds comprise approximately half of our patients every year, and many of them are orphaned nestlings separated from their parents. During the day, these young birds need to be fed every 30 to 45 minutes, and our dedicated team of trained volunteers and staff rise to the occasion every year to keep all these mouths fed!
Depending on the species, these birds will receive either a diet of species-specific formula via syringe or diet-appropriate insects carefully placed into their mouths using appropriate feeding equipment. As the songbirds get older, the feeding intervals lengthen, and eventually wean onto other foods such as berries as they begin self-feeding. Daily, volunteers continue to prepare fresh food and provide clean enclosures for the birds to practice flying before they are returned to the wild.
Interested in making a difference by giving songbirds a second chance at a wild life? We will provide all the training you need! Apply now at WCSV.ORG/volunteer!
Volunteers must be 16 years or older, and have reliable transportation to and from WCSV. No prior experience is necessary! Applicants must attend an online orientation class, and complete our pre-recorded Introduction to Wildlife Rehabilitation Class before signing up for a volunteer shift. Shifts are four hours per week (9 am to 1 pm, or 1 pm to 5 pm). Applications are subject to review, and all approved applicants will receive instructions on how to sign up for new volunteer orientations. Email any questions to Michael Chen: [email protected]
#makeadifference #wildliferehab #helpushelpthem #ittakesavillage #teamwork #wcsv #wildlife #bayareanonprofit #bayareanature #sanjose
Thank you to everyone who donated to help support these young skunks in our care! They are approaching four weeks old and are growing so fast! In just one week, they have gained 32 grams, and are beginning to open their eyes. If they aren’t feeding, you can catch these little stinkers in a cuddle puddle while they nap in their incubator. We are so glad these skunks were found and we are able to provide them with a second chance. Stay tuned as we continue to update you on their progress!
