December 29th, 2013

Thanks to Marilyn & Craig Miller and Alice & Cal Elshoff, and several other concerned folks who called Bend Parks & Rec or ODFW, Grace was rescued by Simon with OR Dept of Fish and Wildlife. A treble hook was impaled into the bird's tongue and fishing line wrapped around it, causing some of the tongue tissue to die and the tissues to swell. No doubt this gal must have been in a lot of pain. She could not eat either, so she needs to gain some weight. Dr. Jeff Cooney, with the help of Jeanette Bonomo and Bend Veterinary Clinic, got the hook out and the bird is now on antibiotics and a pain med. She will recuperate here until ready for release. 

Two days into rehab, her tongue looks somewhat better (tongue tissue heals relatively fast), whatever dead remains will have to be sloughed off and regrown (that may take time). If she can fend for herself, we will release her. If she needs more time she will have to stay in rehab longer. 

Grace needs sponsors, these are expensive birds to rehabilitate. She really needs more food - a specialty type of waterfowl food that must be ordered (not a chicken or duck food from the feed store). If you want to help her out, and us at Grebe Acres, please consider donating, any amount can be helpful. 

Stay tuned for updates. (And please try to not lose your fishing line and lures....she likely bit down into some vegetation and got the lure into her tongue).

Grace in her inside caging. Tomorrow she goes outside to an aviary set up for her with appropriate substrate for her sensitive feet and soon a water set up too (hopefully).

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Look a that pretty face!

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Here is what fishing line and tackle can do to a bird's tongue...the yellowish and dark colored areas on the tongue and bill are dead tissue. She will have to grow this back, hopefully she is able to do that with time. 

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