Ruddy Duck Grounded By Wounds

The following story about a ruddy duck was shared with us by Wildcare Eastern Sierra in California.

In March, a Bishop resident found a ruddy duck in their apartment’s parking lot. His feathers were bloody, and he was stranded on the asphalt. She contacted Wildcare Eastern Sierra, who picked him up.

Upon examination, it was found that he had multiple puncture wounds under his wing. It was determined that he had likely been injured mid-air by a raptor and had then stranded in the parking lot. (Ruddy ducks cannot stand on land due to the placement of their legs on their bodies.)

The ruddy duck stayed here at the center for about a week, where we treated his wound and washed his feathers to improve his waterproofing again. During this time, he was offered bloodworms and other aquatic foods, however he wasn’t really eating them.

Wildcare tube-fed him a combination of EmerAid IC Omnivore and EmerAid IC Piscivore to help him keep up his weight and energy until he was ready for release. Once his condition had improved and his feathers were waterproof again, he was returned to a local lake to continue migration.