This Turkey Vulture was near death in Taylor Wells’ yard in Jacksonville. Limp as a rag, just a tiny bit of push left in his talons, we were unsure if he would survive the night after he arrived at the Ark. In fact, we thought he had passed away twice before he gained enough energy to eat on his own. We hand fed him and gave him anti-inflammatory medication. Soon he was standing, then weakly flapping his wings, eating more each day, seeming to come back to life.
We were so happy to see him fly high and free when we released him at our facility this past weekend! We suspect he had a case of head trauma likely from being hit by a car. He probably became weak from not eating and collapsed.
Please help us help the injured, orphaned and ill wild birds of Northeast Florida by donating at www.thearkrescue.org/donate
#vulture #raptor #wildliferehabilitation
One of the fastest animals on the planet, the Peregrine Falcon is a stunning example of aerodynamics and athleticism. Sleek and muscular, they can reach speeds well over 200 mph when diving to snatch birds out of the air. This young bird was found inside a fence around a Jacksonville cell tower, unable to fly. Unfortunately, she suffered a fractured ulna which is visible on the x-ray below. We stabilized the break with a wing wrap so it can heal properly. She will head to the Avian Reconditioning Center in Apopka for further treatment and rehabilitation sometime next week. We are optimistic about her prognosis!Peregrine Falcons can be found on most every continent in the world. They nest in the Canadian arctic, throughout Alaska and in the high mountain ranges of South America. They migrate south for the winter, usually in coastal areas. We are the only wild bird rehabilitation center in Northeast Florida. Please help us help orphaned, injured, and ill birds by donating at www.thearkrescue.org/donate#peregrinefalcon #wildliferehabilitation #raptor #migratorybirds
On this cold and dreary day, our resident cosmetologist is preening everyone in sight! I’m not sure this Osprey knows what to think of it, but he’s not complaining.
Soon after release, this Anhinga looks left, right and off in the distance before plunging into the pond near our facility. He was found in Jacksonville, fishing line wrapped so tightly around his feet that he lost a toe. Luckily, the damage was limited, and he bounced back rather quickly. We wish him good fishing and safe travels! We are the only wildlife rehabilitation group in Northeast Florida. Please help us help orphaned, injured, and ill birds by donating at www.thearkrescue.org/donate
This white ibis was found in Jacksonville, tangled and fishing line, and unable to fly. Once he was freed, he came to us for rehabilitation. He gained strength quickly, and was released last week. you can help us help the orphan, injured, and ill wild birds of Northeast Florida by donating at www.thearkrescue.org/donate #wildliferehabilitation #migratorybirds
The Brown Pelican is our mascot for good reason. Last year, we cared for 111 pelicans, many entangled in fishing line, malnourished, or exhausted from migration. They are emblematic of Northeast Florida, soaring over beaches and diving for fish among the waves. This time of year, we see an influx of winter migrants from Maryland and Virginia in addition to our year-round resident pelicans. During the winter, our facility is lined with pelicans happy to clean up fish leftover from the day’s feedings. We love our “Peli’s!”
We are the only rehabilitation center for wild birds in Northeast Florida. Please help us help orphaned, injured, and ill birds by donating at www.thearkrescue.org/donate
#pelicans #wildliferehabilitation #migratorybirds
This Red-shouldered Hawk seemed so happy to fly into the new year after being in care for a month. She was hit by a car on Blanding Boulevard in Jacksonville and suffered head trauma and a wing injury. Her eye was swollen shut for a week but healed up nicely with eye drops. What a great day to fly into the new year! We are the only Avian wildlife rehabilitation group in Northeast Florida. Please help us help orphaned, injured, and ill birds at www.thearkrescue.org/donate
Year in review: The Ark celebrates another busy, frenetic and exhilarating year of saving orphaned, injured, and ill wildlife. We are now the only Avian rehab in Northeast Florida. Please help us make 2025 at least as successful by donating at www.thearkrescue.org/donate #wildliferehabilitation #migratorybirds
We are happy to report that Amelia, a juvenile Northern Gannet found on Amelia Island, is eating heartily on her own and getting stronger every day. It is a very big deal when grounded Gannets regain the strength to stand, walk and feed themselves. Whenever these seabirds are found down on the beach, their situation is dire. They typically fly all winter long, feeding in large, high-diving flocks, plunging into the water at breakneck speeds to fish. They are only on shore during the spring and summers when they nest on high cliffs in Newfoundland and coastal northeastern Canada. They are notoriously difficult birds to rehabilitate, but we are hopeful that our first batch will continue to improve.
Please help us help the orphaned, injured, and ill birds of Northeast Florida by donating at www.thearkrescue.org/donate
#northerngannet #wildliferehabilitation #MigratoryBirds #seabirds
Little Miss Pelican is taking some time to freshen up as a young ladies tend to do. She is a first-year pelican who was found down and out near Flagler County Medical Parkway last week. She was so weak she could barely stand when she arrived at the Ark, uninjured but extremely underweight and exhausted. After rehydration and a few days of feeding, we are happy to report that she’s getting stronger and gobbling more fish with each passing day. Healthy birds preen their feathers daily to coat them with oil from their sebaceous gland at the end of their spine, keeping them waterproof and resistant to chemicals. We are overjoyed to see Little Miss taking good care of her feathers, as it is a sign of her returning health. She is almost ready to mingle with the other pelicans in care and well on her way to a full recovery!!We are typically slammed with juvenile pelicans during the winter as many young birds have trouble fishing adequately during migration. Soon our fish expenditures will go through the roof! Please help us help incoming birds suffering from migratory stress by donating at www.thearkrescue.org/donate #pelicans #wildliferehabilitation
Little Miss Pelican is taking time to freshen up as young ladies tend to do. She was found down and out near Flagler County Medical Parkway last week. She was so weak she could barely stand when she arrived at the Ark, uninjured but extremely underweight and exhausted. After rehydration and a few days of feeding, we are happy to report that she’s getting stronger and gobbling more fish with each passing day.
Healthy birds preen their feathers daily to coat them with oil from their sebaceous gland at the end of their spine, keeping them waterproof and resistant to chemicals. We are overjoyed to see Little Miss taking good care of her feathers, as it is a sign of her returning health. She is almost ready to mingle with the other pelicans in care and well on her way to a full recovery!!
We are typically slammed with juvenile pelicans during the winter as many young birds have trouble fishing adequately during migration. Soon our fish expenditures will go through the roof! Please help us help incoming birds suffering from migratory stress by donating at www.thearkrescue.org/donate
#pelicans #wildliferehabilitation #MigratoryBirds
On behalf of this fully recovered White Ibis, we would like to thank everyone who donated to our Giving Tuesday fundraisers!
Brian Lord rescued this gorgeous bird from a near deadly entanglement in fishing line at Lake Beluthahatchee in St. John’s two weeks ago. The bird could not fly once he freed it, so it came to us for rehab. Luckily, there was only soft tissue damage, and he healed up nicely. He was so happy to go back to the wild!
We’d like to remind everyone NOT to cut fishing line if a bird becomes hooked or entangled. Gently reel them in and attempt to untangle them. If they seem injured, please call us and we can advise.
