Luckily, another WCC employee had worn their rain boots that day, so Angela and I were assigned to the hospital. I walked in to see what kind of birds were in the various cages along the wall, and I couldn’t believe it when I saw a giant beaver tail sticking out from behind a towel in one. I could hear him crunching non-stop on a vegetable. I was told that the poor guy was found lying in a puddle in the middle of a road. He was eventually plopped into a large metal sink in the hospital’s back room. They put some water and more food in it so he’d be comfortable and have some room to move around. I wanted to hang out with him for my entire shift, and got to feel his tail and pet him. He was very relaxed and really only focused on eating everything he could get his little claws on. I loved him and wanted to take him home with me.
A little while later, a very large juvenile Red-tailed Hawk was brought in. The bird had flown straight through a plateglass window into someone's garage. Not realizing this, the homeowners let their dog into the garage as they left for a few hours. Fortunately, it didn't seem as though the dog bothered the hawk (probably because the hawk was large, fierce, and very agitated). He was suffering from injuries inflicted by the window glass, including cuts on his talons and a sizeable gash across his throat. Experienced hospital volunteers were able to grasp the hawk safely and apply topical and intravenous medication. They sheathed his tail in a cardboard sleeve so he wouldn't injure those feathers while in captivity and set him up in a big cage to rest and heal up.
I spent some time cleaning the mice tanks. Mice are raised in the hospital and allowed to breed to provide food for the birds. Several of the tanks had tiny little "pinky" babies that are no bigger than a thumb nail. I've been told not to get too attached to these creatures (i.e., naming them). I don't think there's too much danger of that happening.
A couple of the caged birds needed oral medicine administered to them, so I volunteered to get a robin from its temporary home. I was reassured that no work gloves were needed for this task, as a robin can only do minimal damage to human flesh with its beak and feet. What a relief.
I slowly opened the cage door and stuck my hands in. The bird jumped around, squawking like crazy, and I panicked -- yanking my hands back JUST enough for the bird to push past me and jump out of its cage. Good job, Sara. Angela and I chased the robin around the room, as gently as we could, finally getting close enough that I could pick it up. Scary.
Next up was a "ruddy duck." I set my mind to retrieving this plump, unamused little guy without incident. Though he tried to grab me with his flat, rubbery bill, I didn't let him. Ducks sure do feel weird and squishy when you pick them up.
The rest of the day was very slow and uneventful, as the weather continued to be wet and depressing. I watched as Hazel, Ruby, and Jack were weighed and then I headed home to prepare for the week.
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