Starving Osprey Can’t Keep Food Down Until…

The following story about an osprey was shared with us by Tri County Wildlife Care in California.

The osprey, also known as fish eagle or fish hawk, is actually neither an eagle nor a hawk. The osprey belongs to its own taxonomic genus named Pandion. It is also the only member of the family Pandionidae. These birds dive into the water to catch fish. Osprey birds are difficult rehabilitation patients, because they do not want to eat in captivity.

On August 8, 2023, a young osprey, about 2 to 3 months of age, was brought to Tri County Wildlife Care. The bird was unable to fly and was emaciated. The average weight for these birds is 3 pounds. This bird’s intake weight was 2.5 pounds. This was a large female, so the average weight would be closer to 4 pounds. We noted on intake that her keel was sharp.

This osprey went immediately to Acorn Hills Animal Center for tests and treatment. Force feeding of fish was initially attempted, but the osprey could not hold down any food. All oral fluids were projectile regurgitated.

Our veterinarian was given the EmerAid IC Carnivore food, which was immediately effective in getting this bird to maintain and begin gaining weight. The amount and concentration of EmerAid was gradually increased. In just a few days, the osprey went from lethargic and disinterested to calling, flapping her wings, and hopping around her pen letting us know that she was ready to go to an outdoor enclosure. This bird was simply starving and brought back to a healthy weight by EmerAid.
This Osprey was moved to a large, outdoor enclosure where she began to catch fish in a tub, drag them out, and eat them. She went from an intake weight of 2.5 pounds to more than 4 pounds. She remains in care until she has sufficient tail feathers necessary for lift and sustained flight.

This recovery would not have been possible without the EmerAid diet, because it allowed her to hold down and utilize the calories. EmerAid diets are essential to our critical care patients.