Title: Kingfisher chicks hatch after RSPCA emergency carers reach for the make-up kit
Post by: Donna on 15-Dec-12, 08:30:41 AM
A LITTLE bit of nail polish, extensive wildlife knowledge and some tender loving care has saved these three kingfisher chicks.
Four kingfisher eggs were found in a termite's nest after a tree was bulldozed at Redbank Plains, south-west of Brisbane, almost a week ago.
One of the eggs was broken but a spotter-catcher working for the developer brought the remaining cracked eggs to the RSPCA, where wildlife veterinary nurse Maddy Rienecker took over.
She cleaned the eggs and used nail polish to seal the cracks to prevent bacteria getting inside.
Back lighting showed the chicks were close to hatching and on Tuesday they started trying to make their way out of their shells.
After about 12 hours it was obvious they were too weak to hatch, so they were given some help with tweezers.
They emerged about four hours later looking for all the world like baby dinosaurs.
"I could see their little beaks had broken into the air cell and they had made a crack in the shell," Ms Rienecker said.
"They had some pretty serious damage. The cool thing is it's pretty much a miracle they survived given the trauma the eggs underwent.
"They're a delicate bird and have a high death rate and it'll be an uphill battle from here."
The hatchlings are being fed a mix of tiny insects, fish, ox heart and supplements.
Ms Rienecker said helping chicks hatch was dangerous because if they emerged too early, they might not have absorbed all the egg yolk.
Their lungs must be ready for oxygen and they are also covered in a veil of blood vessels, putting them at risk of bleeding to death if one is broken.
The kingfisher species will not be known until the birds grow feathers.
Another problem for Ms Rienecker is what to do with the birds should they survive because their habitat has been cleared. :kleenex:
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