Rescued Falcon

[grider]

o I got this bird ID'ed in a general bird forum. He is an American Kestrel. Yall probably knew that from the picture. I found him in my pool this morning and gently fished him out. This is in Bolivia. He can't fly even after he is dried out and I can't see any physical injury. He's pooped several times since he's been in the box and will not eat raw chicken. He doesn't seem to be as fiesty as I would imagine he should be. He just kind of opens his beak (as a deterrent I suppose) when I get near him and tries to scuttle away but not real aggressive. He has mostly just been sleeping with his head turned to rest on his back all day. If I just put him out in the yard he's going to be instant cat food. No idea what to do with this bird. No vet's or rehabbers because we are on strict covid lockdown here. Should I just leave him in the box and see what happens? Anything else I can offer him to eat? Any advice much appreciated.

[SkyRider]

Hey grider, thanks for reaching out.

You've got a very young female kestrel in your care. She is likely extremely sick, extremely weak, or extremely malnourished (possibly all three).

Keep her dry and in a safe place for now. Don't feed her raw chicken. She needs mice or sparrows/starlings. Do you have a local pet store that sells feeder mice for snakes and reptiles? That will be your best bet.

Try to get a little food in her (soak the food in plenty of water so she gets fluids as well).

If there ARE rehabbers in the area, even if they are shut down, try to reach out to them and see what they can do to help you. Advice at the very least. Good luck, it's going to be tough!

[grider]

May 27, 2020 16:59:34 GMT -5 SkyRider said:

Hey grider, thanks for reaching out.

You've got a very young female kestrel in your care. She is likely extremely sick, extremely weak, or extremely malnourished (possibly all three).

Keep her dry and in a safe place for now. Don't feed her raw chicken. She needs mice or sparrows/starlings. Do you have a local pet store that sells feeder mice for snakes and reptiles? That will be your best bet.

Try to get a little food in her (soak the food in plenty of water so she gets fluids as well).

If there ARE rehabbers in the area, even if they are shut down, try to reach out to them and see what they can do to help you. Advice at the very least. Good luck, it's going to be tough!

Much thanks for the advice, SkyRider.  Not sure where Id be able to find dead mice of sparrows. I was wondering if she go a hold of something poisonous (snake, centipede, tarantula ...).  We have a LOT of nasty critters down here.  Anyway I'll try to find some food you mentioned, and thanks again!

[bigjay]

Another thing you could do is try to see if there are any other falconers in your area that could come and take the bird or reach out to your Department of Fish and Wildlife to come and get it. Best of luck with it!

[grider]

Just wanted to pop in to post an update. Unfortunately this beautiful bird didn't make it through the night last night. Many thanks for the advice here, though. I'm sure if it hadn't been an impossible situation it would have gone much better with advice from here. Thanks again.

[Opalmc13]

Sorry to here she didn't make it 😢