Every once in a while a falconer will take in a bird that has been injured in the wild, work with it as they would a “working” bird and give it an opportunity to regain its wings, hunting skills and return to the wild. Over the summer Joe O. took the time to use his falconry experience to help out a peregrine.
From Joe, “The story with this little guy was he fledged from a nest site on a bridge into the water and broke his coracoid at the end of May. It was a slight fracture the vet wanted him to have 3 months rest before release. The normal medical staff at WildCare (rehab center) thought he was doing better than the other vet thought and called me in the first week of June. I picked him up around 6/12. Everything looked good to me so I worked with him a little and flew him free 7/18. I flew him to the lure for about another month till he was strong”
Once the peregrine was up and running and proved he could indeed hunt and take his own meals, it was time to release him. Wish the little guy all the luck in the world…
