One of the Fifth Avenue Fledglings may have a problem, watch the videos on palemale.com/. Her behavior has been less energetic, lethargic, not flying as much for instance, but the real kicker here is that she was observed refusing food. And anyone who has watched young Red-tails knows that that just does not happen unless there is some kind of serious problem.
I report this not so the fledglings will be chased or bothered, please be observant and considerate, but rather to relate a missed chance of my own which might have made a difference.
Some of you will remember when Hous, one of the Houston fledglings who was being fostered by Athena and Atlas, died of Frounce because we could not catch him in time and get him to the Horvaths for rehabilitation before it was too late.
Early on before we realized he was ill, and I'd not seen the symptoms of frounce or other really debilitating problems such as some kind of throat obstruction in young hawks, I happened across Hous hunkered down on the ground as though he were asleep. I was only a couple feet away and could readily have thrown something over him or even leaned down and grabbed his feet. I knew this behavior was certainly unusual but didn't realize at the time that the fledgling would have to be in very bad shape to allow me within those few feet without even noticing me.
I mean they're human habituated, right? Wrong. Hous was very ill and it took many days after that for anyone to catch him. By then it was too late. I've grieved ever since that I didn't know enough to have given him a better chance at survival.
Therefore, for anyone in and around Central Park, who may see one of the fledglings acting in a debilitated manner, throw something over the youngster if you have it, or at any rate make a grab for her "ankles" from behind, because if you can get near enough to lay hands on her she is very ill. Then get her to help as soon as you possibly can by contacting the Horvaths, and if you can taking her to their facility or if you haven't the contact info with you take her to the Animal Medical Center. At AMC make sure they know to contact the Horvaths and tell them that this is one of Pale Male and Ginger Lima's fledglings.
Sometimes being the offspring of the famous, whether human or animal can get people's quick focus. If you could pick this bird up, she needs help now.
Donegal Browne
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