Injured falcon found in field Santa Clara County

[Donna]

Posted: Thursday, December 27, 2012 8:45 am
WERC | 0 comments
’Twas the fortnight before Christmas when Steve Johnson was putting up festive Christmas decorations outside his home in San Martin and witnessed something strange going on in the field next door. Walking over, he discovered an injured juvenile peregrine falcon on the ground, with some turkey vultures circling it with curiosity. Steve rescued the 15-inch long raptor and brought it to the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center.
Exactly how the falcon was disabled is unknown, though it likely may have hit an object or building while diving in on its prey. The bird had no wounds or bleeding but its left wing was severely drooping and the joint was badly bruised, with what WERC staff feared to be a fracture. It was examined by Dr. Laura Bellinghausen and X-rays showed that the bones in the elbow were dislocated, which is extremely unfortunate for a bird that relies on absolutely perfect flight for long-term survival in the wild.

Gilroy Dispatch

[MAK]