Ducks, mainly diving ducks, may need help with these cold temperatures so here's what to look for.
Divers such as these Long-tailed Ducks (that came in today) along with Mergansers, Scaup, Canvasback, Redheads and more are basically helpless on land. They often confuse icy roads and parking lots for open water and once they land on the ground they're stuck there. With the lake freezing up they will be looking for more open water once open holes start to get crowded.
In a situation where you find a diving duck like this in the Cleveland area, place the bird in a box with air holes, no food or water, keep in a dark quiet place and get it to us at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, 28728 Wolf Road in Bay Village, Ohio (we specialize in waterfowl, especially divers) or to another licensed rehabber as soon as possible.
One of these Long-tailed Ducks was found in a Home Depot parking lot with ice frozen to its vent and tail, similar to what was happening to the Ross's Goose in Summit County. The folks that found it were going to take it to the lake and release it but I suggested it would be best if we looked her over.
Well it's good we did because she weighs 352 grams and should be at least 800. She is so weak there is no way she would have the energy to dive for food. She would surely have died, just as the Ross's did today.
With Lake Erie predicted to freeze over 90% in the next few days, the birds that didn't migrate may be getting into trouble all over the place, especially adjacent to the Lake.
Rehabbers are trained to notice certain behaviours in wildlife that may not be easy for other folks to see. Squinted eyes, lethargy, ice build-up,puffiness are all signs birds may need help. These are actually signs given right before death, usually. Birds won't appear skinny like a mammal. Birds wait until the last possible moment before they show signs they are in trouble, it's protects them from predation. It gives them a last-ditch effort to continue life.
Birders are so good at what they do!
- They pay perfect attention to detail.
- They know when a bird is different.
- They know what sticks out as unusual.
- They pick out that rarity in a flock of thousands.
This is what rehabbers do, just in a different way.
We can tell when a behaviour is off even though it seems fine to most other people. It's innate sometimes. It's hard to explain.
If you think you may have a bird in trouble, give us a call for advice anytime or call your nearest Center! Feel free to call the Wildlife Staff at Lake Erie Nature and Science Center for more specific advice. We have 24-hour voicemail and will return your call as quickly as possible: 440-871-2900, Ext. 204 or 440-471-8357. Please do not use email or our online contact form for time sensitive questions!
You can find more information at Ohio Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, 1075 Rte 343, Yellow Springs, OH 45387 here and locate a rehabber near you here.