Bird ID

[Donna]

My sis and hubs went walking on the beach and found this bird just laying on the beach. Obviously, it's sick as the mate was being eaten by Vultures nearby. Any clue what it is? Some species of seagull?

[Paul Hamilton]

It's a Northern Gannet.  There have been a number of strandings of them - my daughter and I found one a few years ago on the beach at Ocracoke and were able to get it to a local rehabber.  The rehabber told me that it was heavily parisitized, dehydrated, and starved, but no apparent didease or injury.  A few days of supportive care and feedings and it was off flying over the ocean again.

Paul

[Donna]

It's a Northern Gannet.  There have been a number of strandings of them - my daughter and I found one a few years ago on the beach at Ocracoke and were able to get it to a local rehabber.  The rehabber told me that it was heavily parisitized, dehydrated, and starved, but no apparent didease or injury.  A few days of supportive care and feedings and it was off flying over the ocean again.

Paul

Thanks so much Paul...I just called my sis and yelled at her for not taking it some where. She said they were 3 miles from their car and there was nothing to transport it in. She feels bad NOW! (AS she should).

[Paul Hamilton]

Are there park rangers who could be contacted?  It's also possible that you could give the location to either a rehabilitator or animal control services.

Paul

[Donna]

Are there park rangers who could be contacted?  It's also possible that you could give the location to either a rehabilitator or animal control services.

Paul

To me the gannet doesn't look ill but I wasn't there. Cindy said she walked right up to it and it didn't move. I'm thinking he/she is sitting there because the mate was ill and was being eaten by the vultures... maybe? She's not real sure if it was ill, just a feeling she had because she could walk right up to it and it didn't take off. I think she will go back and see if it's still there.

[jeanne]

Poor thing.  Let us know, Donna.  Maybe it was just standing guard because of it's mate.