Starving falcon rescued from Blue Bridge dies at rehab center Noooo!!
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- An emaciated falcon that was rescued this week from the Blue Bridge died shortly after arriving at a rehabilitation center for raptors.
The young bird died about two hours after it was dropped off at Braveheart Raptor Rehabilitation Center in Twin Lake on Thursday, Sept. 25. Susan Stamy, of Braveheart, said the bird likely died of secondary poisoning or starvation.
The falcon landed on the Blue Bridge in downtown Grand Rapids and caught the attention of passersby on Wednesday night. A couple flagged down two police officers after noticing teenagers trying to harm it.
The officers waited with the docile bird while Peg and Roger Markle, of Wildlife Rehab Center in Grand Rapids, responded.
The Markles initially believed the bird could have been a peregrine falcon, but they later determined it was a merlin falcon after getting a closer look Wednesday night.
Peg Markle said the falcon, born in the spring, was likely trying to migrate south to Florida.
The falcon was depressed when the Markles took it to Braveheart on Thursday, where it received fluids.
"The bird never even lifted its head," Stamy said.
Stamy said her center's intake averages one to four starving birds a day, mostly red-shouldered hawks.
"I have never in all my years have had this many birds come in on a daily basis of starvation," Stamy said.
After talking to a veterinarian, Stamy's best guess is last year's harsh winter is to blame for the increase in hungry birds, as the parents of this year's hatch struggled to survive the breeding season.
"The parents themselves were so hungry ... they may have left their youngsters sooner than they should have," she said.(How sad) Fly Free
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