Raptors (birds of prey) case method: 50 questions

A 3-year-old barn owl. Last evening it swallowed one thawed mouse whole. The next morning the pellet (casting) that is usually on the cage floor is missing, and the crop at the base of the neck is still bulging. The bird is on its perch but moving less than usual and shows no interest in the feeding platform. No vomiting or foul odor yet.

What is the most appropriate action for the owner at this point?

1. Press the crop with your fingers to help the pellet come out
2. Skip that day's feeding, keep the bird warm and observe; if there is still no pellet the next day, see a vet that same day
3. Pour extra water into the mouth to aid digestion
4. Offer another mouse in the evening until the appetite returns

AnswerB. Skip that day's feeding, keep the bird warm and observe; if there is still no pellet the next day, see a vet that same day

ExplanationWhen no pellet is produced and the crop is full, digestion may be stalled. First stop feeding, rest the bird at a suitable temperature and observe until the next day. If there is still no pellet the next day, or vomiting or foul odor appears, see a vet that same day; two days without a pellet meets the vet-visit criterion. Pressing the crop risks choking from regurgitation of the esophagus or its contents. Pouring water into the mouth risks aspiration. Adding new food on top of undigested food lets it rot in the crop and worsens the condition.

IssuesWithout a daily record of pellet frequency and shape, the owner cannot tell since when no pellet has been produced, delaying the decision to see a vet. Checking the crop before feeding was also not a habit.

ImprovementAlways check that the crop is empty before feeding, and record pellet frequency, shape and odor on a log sheet. Find a clinic that treats raptors ahead of time, and share the rule with the family: no pellet for 2 days means a vet visit.

A 1-year-old Harris's hawk brought home last week from a breeder in another prefecture. Its appetite has been down since transport, and this morning it is breathing on the perch with its beak open, its chest heaving, and a whistling sound can be heard. Its call is also hoarse. Room temperature is 22°C, not hot. Its weight is 6% below the day it arrived.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Decide it is hot, mist the body with water and aim a fan at it
2. Assume travel fatigue and quietly watch for a few days
3. Avoid stimulation, keep it dark and quiet, and take it to a clinic that treats raptors the same day
4. Move the cage to a sunny spot and wait for it to regain strength

AnswerC. Avoid stimulation, keep it dark and quiet, and take it to a clinic that treats raptors the same day

ExplanationOpen-mouth breathing in a cool environment, abnormal breathing sounds, voice change and weight loss strongly suggest aspergillosis, which often develops after transport stress. It progresses fast and can be fatal, so avoid stimulation, keep the bird dark and quiet, and see a vet the same day. Wetting and fanning is a heatstroke measure; for respiratory disease it only lowers body temperature and does nothing. Watching for days lets lesions spread in the lungs and air sacs. Sunlight is not a treatment and adds stress.

IssuesThe owner dismissed the reduced appetite right after arrival as the change of environment and missed the weight loss. They lacked the knowledge that transport and environment changes can trigger aspergillosis.

ImprovementWeigh every morning for 2 weeks after arrival and set a rule to see a vet at a 5% drop. Keep the cage well ventilated and clean so mold cannot grow. Get a health check at intake and secure a clinic that treats raptors.

A 5-year-old white-faced scops owl. Lately it spends long periods standing on one foot and hesitates to step onto its perch. The center of the footpad is red and swollen with a small scab. The only perch is a single thin round dowel, and the bird has gained 10% in weight over the past six months.

What is the appropriate response?

1. Apply human antibiotic ointment, bandage it and treat at home
2. Replace the perch with artificial turf or rope wrapping, start weight management, and see a vet within a few days
3. Peel off the scab and pour antiseptic directly on it
4. Replace the perch with a metal pipe to keep it clean

AnswerB. Replace the perch with artificial turf or rope wrapping, start weight management, and see a vet within a few days

ExplanationA red, swollen footpad, scabs and standing on one foot are classic signs of bumblefoot (pododermatitis). The cause is pressure on the footpad from a hard, uniform perch and obesity, so first replace the perch with soft materials of varied thickness and reduce weight. Do not apply medication on your own; if there is swelling or a wound, see a vet within a few days. Human ointment and bandages hide infection and make it worse, and peeling the scab deepens the wound. A metal pipe is hard and cold and increases pressure on the footpad, the worst choice.

IssuesThere was only one kind of perch, so pressure fell on the same spot of the footpad. Weekly footpad checks and weight management were neglected, and the early redness stage was missed.

ImprovementInstall several perches of different thickness and material, using artificial turf or rope to spread the load on the footpads. Check footpads and talons weekly and keep a proper weight with daily morning weighing. See a vet early, at the redness stage.

A 3-month-old snowy owl chick. Following a method seen on social media, it has been raised mainly on boneless chicken meat. Lately it does not lift off when it flaps, and one wing looks unnaturally bent. This morning it was hunched on the floor, and at times its legs trembled in what looked like a seizure.

What should be done first in this situation?

1. Give a large dose of calcium supplement and watch
2. Make it practice flying to build wing muscle
3. Splint the wing yourself and see a vet on next week's day off
4. Put it in a dark, quiet box to rest and see a clinic that treats raptors the same day

AnswerD. Put it in a dark, quiet box to rest and see a clinic that treats raptors the same day

ExplanationFeeding only boneless meat causes calcium deficiency; in chicks this leads to metabolic bone disease with bone deformities, fractures and seizures. Seizures and a deformed wing are urgent: do not handle, keep dark and warm, rest, and see a vet the same day. Giving large doses of calcium on your own does not address the acute phase and can cause harm if the amount is wrong. Flight practice breaks the fragile bones. A homemade splint damages the bone further, and waiting until next week makes recovery difficult.

IssuesThe owner did not know the basic raptor nutrition rule that whole prey including bone and organs is required, and trusted online information. They did not understand the importance of nutrition and UV light for a growing chick.

ImprovementFeed chicks whole prey including bone and organs, such as frozen mice or chicks, and provide calcium and UV light. During growth, check bone condition at a monthly health check, and decide the diet in consultation with a vet experienced with raptors.

A 2-year-old tawny owl. An acquaintance's wild-caught pigeons had been fed to it several times. Lately it takes a long time to swallow food, and its weight dropped 8% in one week. Looking into the mouth, a white cheese-like mass is stuck at the back of the throat. The droppings are green and slightly watery.

What is the appropriate response?

1. Scrape off the white mass with a cotton swab and disinfect with mouthwash
2. Stop the wild feed and see a vet the same day for mouth and fecal exams
3. Chop the food finely so it is easier to swallow and watch
4. Hope it heals on its own and increase bathing to clean the mouth

AnswerB. Stop the wild feed and see a vet the same day for mouth and fecal exams

ExplanationA white mass in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, weight loss and green droppings suggest a parasitic infection such as trichomoniasis, typically caught from wild pigeons. An 8% weight loss exceeds the 5% threshold and meets the same-day vet-visit criterion. Scraping the mass makes the mucosa bleed, and mouthwash is harmful to birds. Chopping the food does not stop the infection, and the mass could block the airway. It will not heal on its own, and bathing has nothing to do with lesions in the mouth. Wild prey carries risks of parasites, avian influenza and toxins and must never be fed.

IssuesThe owner did not understand the danger of feeding wild prey. The early sign of slow swallowing was missed, and the weight loss was noticed only after it had progressed considerably.

ImprovementFeed only reliable frozen mice, chicks or quail, and never wild prey. Do fecal exams at intake and 1–2 times a year, weigh every morning, and use a 5% drop as the trigger for a vet visit.

2 p.m. on an August afternoon; a 4-year-old Harris's hawk tethered to a block perch in the yard. It was meant to be in shade, but the sun moved and it was in direct sunlight. When noticed, it was panting heavily with its beak open, wings spread and drooping, and unsteady on its feet. It responds slowly when called.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Immerse the whole body in a bucket of ice water to cool it rapidly
2. Move it to a cool place, wet the feet and underwings with water and fan it, then see a vet that day
3. Give cold water by beak and let it rest indoors
4. Place it directly under the air-conditioner outlet with cold air blowing on it continuously

AnswerB. Move it to a cool place, wet the feet and underwings with water and fan it, then see a vet that day

ExplanationOpen-mouth breathing, wings spread and drooping, unsteadiness and slow responses are classic signs of heatstroke. Move the bird to a cool place immediately, wet the feet and underwings where blood vessels run close to the surface, and fan to lower body temperature gently. Even if the bird comes round, there may be organ damage, so see a vet that day. Ice-water immersion causes sudden vasoconstriction and shock. Giving water to a poorly responsive bird causes aspiration. Continuous direct cold air causes excessive cooling and strains the respiratory system.

IssuesThe bird was left unattended while tethered outdoors, and the owner did not notice the shade disappearing as the sun moved. Tethering for a long time in the midsummer daytime above 25°C was itself a misjudgment.

ImprovementLimit summer tethering to the cool early morning or evening, always within sight. Provide roofed shade and a bath dish, and keep the bird in an air-conditioned room on days above 25°C. Go over the heatstroke cooling steps with the family.

A 6-year-old Eurasian eagle-owl. For the past 3 days the pellets on the floor have been soft, coated in mucus and sour-smelling. When casting, it shook its head for a long time and seemed to struggle. This morning it left half its mouse and sits motionless in front of the feeding platform. Weight is down 4% over 3 days.

What is the appropriate response?

1. Chop the food small to aid digestion and watch for a week
2. Switch to boneless chicken breast so that no pellets are produced
3. Bring the pellets and see a clinic that treats raptors the same day
4. Place an air freshener in the cage to mask the odor and clean more often

AnswerC. Bring the pellets and see a clinic that treats raptors the same day

ExplanationFoul-smelling, mucus-heavy pellets and slow casting continuing for several days, with reduced appetite and weight loss, are signs of crop inflammation or infection or abnormality of the digestive tract. Abnormalities lasting 2 days are the guideline for a vet visit, and with reduced appetite a same-day visit is appropriate. Pellets are an important diagnostic clue, so bring them. Chopping food and watching for a week allows progression. Boneless food may reduce pellets but causes malnutrition and solves nothing. Air freshener only masks the smell, and its volatile components irritate the airways.

IssuesOn the first day of abnormal pellets the owner dismissed it as a one-off and neither recorded it nor saw a vet, leaving it for 3 days. They lacked the knowledge that pellet changes are an early sign of illness.

ImprovementRecord pellet frequency, shape, odor and mucus daily, and set a rule to see a vet if abnormal for 2 days. Feed in natural form with bone and feathers, and check thawed feed for spoilage every time. Bring pellets and photos of droppings to the vet.

A 4-year-old great horned owl. Although it is not molting season, many feathers are on the floor, and the remaining plumage is dull and scruffy. Weight is down 7% from last month and the droppings are loose. The cage is outdoors; the feed is frozen quail, but lately wild mice given by an acquaintance have also been fed.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Decide it is molting, give vitamins and watch
2. Stop the wild mice and see a vet within a few days, including a fecal exam
3. Rub oil into the feathers to improve their sheen
4. Force daily baths to wash the dirt off the feathers

AnswerB. Stop the wild mice and see a vet within a few days, including a fecal exam

ExplanationAbnormal feather loss outside the molt, dull plumage, diarrhea and weight loss are signs of parasites or malnutrition. Wild mice carry risks of parasites and toxins (rodenticide), so stop immediately and see a clinic that can do fecal exams within a few days. Weight loss exceeds 5%, so do not postpone. Assuming a molt and watching with vitamins alone delays diagnosis. Oil ruins feather waterproofing and interferes with temperature regulation. Forced bathing causes stress and lowers body temperature.

IssuesThe owner did not control the source of the feed and accepted wild prey from others. They failed to connect off-season feather loss with the diarrhea, and were late to notice the weight loss.

ImprovementUse only reliable frozen feed; never feed wild prey received from others. Record weight every morning, along with feather loss and the state of the droppings. Make fecal exams 1–2 times a year a habit.

A 7-year-old Harris's hawk. While changing the pet sheet this morning, the owner noticed the droppings were black and tarry and the urate portion, which should be white, was green. The bird is on its perch but keeps its eyes closed for long periods and barely reacts when shown food. It ate normally yesterday.

What is the appropriate response?

1. Assume the feed color is responsible, change the feed and watch for 2–3 days
2. Photograph the droppings and see a clinic that treats raptors the same day
3. Crush a human digestive tablet and mix it into the feed
4. Wash and disinfect the cage and fast the bird until the droppings return to normal

AnswerB. Photograph the droppings and see a clinic that treats raptors the same day

ExplanationBlack, tarry droppings indicate bleeding in the digestive tract, and green urates indicate liver damage or fasting; combined with the closed eyes and slow responses, a same-day vet visit is needed. Photos of the droppings help diagnosis. Assuming it is the feed color and watching for days lets internal bleeding or liver disease progress. Human digestive medicine is dangerous because the ingredients and dose do not suit birds. Fasting rapidly drains a raptor's strength because of its fast metabolism.

IssuesThe owner did not know that the color of droppings and urates is an important indicator of health and was about to postpone a decision. Because the bird was normal the day before, there was also a tendency to downplay the seriousness.

ImprovementCheck the color of droppings and urates and the amount daily, and set a rule that green, black or bloody means a same-day vet visit. Use white pet sheets to make changes easy to see. Get in the habit of photographing anything abnormal to show the vet.

On a winter morning, a 12-year-old barn owl is hunched on the cage floor; it tries to return to the perch but cannot grip with its feet and slips off. No wing injury is visible, and it was flying normally until yesterday. Its body feels slightly cold; when called it weakly opens its eyes but does not move. Room temperature was 12°C.

What should be done first?

1. Force it onto the perch to test whether it can balance
2. Raise the room to around 20°C, keep it dark, quiet and resting, and call a vet right now
3. Push a mouse to its beak to make it eat and perk up
4. Warm it quickly by blowing hot air from a hair dryer directly on its body

AnswerB. Raise the room to around 20°C, keep it dark, quiet and resting, and call a vet right now

ExplanationBeing on the floor, unable to grip the perch and slow to respond is a serious sign of illness or injury; a raptor on the floor is an emergency. The bird is elderly and in a cold environment, so first raise the temperature to the proper range (15–25°C), keep it dark and quiet and warm, and call a clinic that treats raptors right now for transport. Forcing it onto the perch risks a fall and fracture. Pushing food on a poorly responsive bird causes aspiration, and it cannot digest anyway. Hot air from a hair dryer directly on the body causes burns and sudden temperature changes.

IssuesAn elderly bird was kept at 12°C; the assumption that owls tolerate cold led to neglected temperature control. The owner had not checked in advance the contact for a clinic that treats raptors in case of a sudden change.

ImprovementKeep elderly or unwell birds at 15–25°C and monitor with a thermometer. Make it a rule that being on the floor or unable to grip means an immediate vet visit. Post the contacts of a raptor clinic and an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital on the cage, and keep a transport carrier and cloth ready.

A 3-year-old little owl. For the past few days, food debris and mucus have stayed stuck around its beak, and it leaves more than half of the chick it is fed. Weight is down 6% in 4 days. It sometimes shakes its head and rubs its beak on the perch. Breathing sounds normal and the pellets have become smaller.

What is the appropriate response?

1. Gently wipe the beak with damp gauze and see a vet the same day
2. Assume its preferences changed, switch to mice and watch for a week
3. Decide the beak is overgrown and file it down yourself
4. Scrape the dirt off the beak with a toothpick and spray disinfectant

AnswerA. Gently wipe the beak with damp gauze and see a vet the same day

ExplanationDirt around the beak, reduced appetite, weight loss over 5% and beak rubbing are signs of stomatitis, crop or digestive tract abnormalities, or parasitic infection. The weight loss exceeds the threshold, so a same-day vet visit is appropriate. Only wipe the dirt gently with damp gauze and prioritize diagnosing the cause. Assuming a change in preference and waiting a week lets the bird weaken. Filing the beak risks bleeding and nerve damage; even if overgrown, leave coping to a vet. Toothpicks and disinfectant spray damage the mucosa and are harmful.

IssuesThe owner treated leftover food as a whim and did not connect it with the weight-loss figures. They did not know that dirt around the beak is one of the signs of illness.

ImprovementRecord weight and leftover food every morning and set a rule that a 5% drop means a same-day vet visit. Add dirt on the beak, in the mouth and on the nostrils to the daily observation list. Do not trim the beak yourself; ask a vet.

January; a 2-year-old Indian eagle-owl kept in an outdoor enclosure. There was strong wind and rain overnight, and in the morning its feathers are wet, its whole body is fluffed up, and it sits still with both wings drooping. The floor at the back of the enclosure is damp with condensation. It does not react to food, and its body feels cold to the touch.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. It is a cold-hardy species, so assume it will recover once the sun is up and watch
2. Move it indoors, keep it quiet and warm at around 20°C, and see a vet the same day
3. Wash the body with hot water to bring the temperature back up at once
4. Put it inside a kotatsu heated table and keep warming it at high heat

AnswerB. Move it indoors, keep it quiet and warm at around 20°C, and see a vet the same day

ExplanationExposure to wind and rain with wet feathers drains body heat even in cold-hardy species and causes hypothermia. Drooping wings, fluffed feathers and no response is a dangerous state: move the bird indoors, keep it dark and quiet and warm within the proper 15–25°C range, and see a vet the same day. Wet feathers and a damp environment also raise the risk of aspergillosis. Leaving it lets hypothermia progress. Washing with hot water causes sudden temperature changes and further wetting. A kotatsu gets too hot and causes heatstroke and dehydration.

IssuesThe owner overestimated the species' cold tolerance and had not built the enclosure to shield from wind, rain and condensation. There was no provision for overnight weather deterioration, and the bird could not be checked until morning.

ImprovementGive outdoor enclosures a roof and walls against wind and rain, and keep them ventilated and dry to prevent condensation. Move the bird indoors overnight when storms are forecast. Install a thermometer even in winter, and be ready to dry and warm any bird that gets wet.

A 3-year-old Harris's hawk during tethered training in the yard. Startled by something, it took off and was slammed to the ground when the leash snapped taut. It stood up right away, but the right wing hangs clearly lower than the left and it cannot fold it. No bleeding is visible, but it cries out every time the wing moves.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Extend the wing by hand to check whether it is broken
2. Cover the head with a cloth, place it in a dark box, do not immobilize the wing, and see a vet the same day
3. Bind the wing tightly to the body with a bandage and see a vet the next day or later
4. Return it to the perch and wait for it to fold the wing naturally

AnswerB. Cover the head with a cloth, place it in a dark box, do not immobilize the wing, and see a vet the same day

ExplanationAsymmetry, drooping and pain on movement strongly suggest a wing fracture, and a drooping wing meets the criterion for an immediate vet visit. Do not handle; cover the head with a cloth to calm the bird, place it in a box too small for the wings to open, keep it dark and warm, do not splint yourself, and see a vet the same day. Extending the wing to check moves the fracture and damages nerves and vessels. An amateur bandage can cut off blood flow or displace the bone. Returning it to the perch risks a loss of balance, a fall and a secondary fracture.

IssuesThe owner tethered the bird without checking leash length and the surroundings, in a place with things that could startle it. The ground did not cushion the impact of a fall. They did not know the first-aid steps for a fracture.

ImprovementCheck leash length and tangling every time before tethering, and choose a spot free of startling noises or animals. Lay artificial turf or gravel on the ground. Keep a dark transport box and cloth ready, and put the contact for a raptor clinic where it can be seen at once.

A 4-year-old barn owl. After thrashing when a talon caught in the cage netting, one talon on one foot is broken near the base and drops of blood are on the floor. The bird is on its perch holding the foot up, but the bleeding continues each time it moves. It is 9 p.m. and your regular vet is closed.

What should be done first?

1. Do not touch it until it stops on its own and wait for the clinic to open next morning
2. Pour plenty of rubbing alcohol on the wound to disinfect it
3. Press with clean gauze for several minutes, apply styptic or cornstarch to stop the bleeding, then see a vet the same day
4. Pull out the broken talon to clean up the wound

AnswerC. Press with clean gauze for several minutes, apply styptic or cornstarch to stop the bleeding, then see a vet the same day

ExplanationBleeding from the base of a talon can lead to dangerous blood loss in a small bird within a short time. First cover the head with a cloth to calm the bird, press with clean gauze for several minutes, and press styptic or cornstarch on it to stop the bleeding. A talon torn from its base is a same-day vet-visit criterion; even at night, contact an emergency hospital that treats raptors. Leaving it until morning risks blood loss and infection. Alcohol causes severe pain and tissue damage and worsens bleeding. Pulling the broken talon causes more bleeding and nerve damage.

IssuesA cage with mesh that could snag talons was in use. Talon overgrowth was not checked, and no first-aid supplies such as styptic and gauze were on hand. The owner also did not know the contact for an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital.

ImprovementReplace the cage with soft netting or vertical bars that cannot injure wings or talons. Check talons and footpads weekly and have overgrowth treated at a specialist clinic. Keep styptic, gauze and cornstarch in the first-aid kit, and find out which hospitals handle after-hours cases.

A 2-year-old Harris's hawk. It has been wearing the same anklets and jesses since it arrived. Its legs have grown thicker recently, but they were not replaced. Under the anklet the skin is red and peeling, slightly moist and shiny. The bird often lifts that foot.

What is the appropriate response?

1. Apply human wound ointment to the red area and keep using the jesses as they are
2. Remove the jesses, rinse the wound with saline and rest; see a vet if the redness spreads
3. Tighten the jesses further so they are fixed and cannot rub
4. Cover the wound with duct tape and continue with the next training session

AnswerB. Remove the jesses, rinse the wound with saline and rest; see a vet if the redness spreads

ExplanationThis is an abrasion from jesses and anklets that have become too tight. First remove the jesses, rinse the wound with saline and rest the bird. If redness or swelling spreads or the area stays moist, infection is possible, so see a vet. Human wound ointment is unsuitable for birds, and continuing to use the jesses keeps the rubbing going until it ulcerates. Tightening further cuts off blood flow and risks necrosis. Duct tape damages the skin and injures it further when removed, and continuing training worsens the wound.

IssuesThe owner did not consider the change in leg thickness with growth and never reviewed the size of the jesses and anklets. There was no habit of regularly checking the skin under the anklets.

ImprovementChoose soft leather jesses and anklets of the correct size; during growth, check the size monthly and replace. Inspect the skin under the anklets weekly and rest the jesses at the redness stage. Keep spare jesses on hand.

A 1-year-old tawny owl practicing free flight indoors. It flew hard into a window whose curtains were open and fell to the floor. It stood up after a few seconds, but its head stays tilted to the right and one pupil is widely dilated. A small amount of blood is coming from the beak.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Decide it is fine since it stood up, and fly it again to check
2. Cover the head with a cloth, keep it dark, warm and resting, call a clinic that treats raptors immediately and transport it
3. Straighten the neck by hand and hold it in place
4. Give water to clear its head, then watch

AnswerB. Cover the head with a cloth, keep it dark, warm and resting, call a clinic that treats raptors immediately and transport it

ExplanationHead tilt, unequal pupils and bleeding from the beak after a collision are dangerous signs of head trauma or brain injury and require an immediate vet visit. Keep the bird dark and warm, avoid stimulation, and transport without jolting. Flying it again just because it stood up lets the brain damage progress and risks a fall. Straightening the neck by hand worsens a cervical spine injury. Giving water to a bird that is not fully conscious causes aspiration.

IssuesNo markers were placed on windows or mirrors before indoor free flight, and the curtains were left open. The owner had not anticipated the risk of collision and did not know the signs of head trauma.

ImprovementClose the curtains and put markers on windows and mirrors before indoor flight practice. Train in open, safe areas. Learn head tilt, bleeding and a drooping wing after a collision as signs for an immediate vet visit, and have a transport box and clinic contact ready.

A 5-year-old Eurasian eagle-owl. During feeding it struck its beak on the corner of a metal feeding platform; the tip is chipped, red tissue is exposed and it is oozing blood. The bird rubs its beak on the perch and seems to have trouble eating when it takes food.

What is the appropriate response?

1. File the chipped part smooth and repair it with superglue
2. Press with gauze and apply styptic to stop the bleeding, then see a vet the same day
3. The beak grows back on its own, so do nothing and wait a month
4. Mix a human painkiller into the feed to relieve the pain

AnswerB. Press with gauze and apply styptic to stop the bleeding, then see a vet the same day

ExplanationThe chip has exposed tissue containing vessels and nerves, so first press with gauze and apply styptic to stop the bleeding; a chipped beak falls under the same-day vet-visit criterion, so have it treated at a clinic. Ongoing difficulty eating leads directly to weight loss. Filing or gluing it yourself damages the tissue, and glue components are toxic. Leaving it a month lets infection, deformity and feeding difficulty progress. Human painkillers are not dosed for raptors and risk poisoning and gastrointestinal bleeding.

IssuesA metal feeding platform with sharp corners was in use, creating an environment where the beak could be struck. The owner did not know how to respond to beak damage or that it calls for a same-day vet visit.

ImprovementUse feeding platforms and equipment with no sharp corners, and avoid environments where the beak strikes hard metal or netting. Have an overgrown beak coped by a vet. Keep styptic and gauze on hand, and set a rule that beak or talon damage means a same-day vet visit.

A 3-year-old Harris's hawk tethered to a block perch in the yard. In the few minutes the owner looked away, the leash tangled on the fence and the bird was hanging upside down by one leg, flapping violently. The owner quickly picked it up and freed the tangle, but it cannot use the leg it hung by at all, and one wing is drooping.

What is the appropriate response?

1. Pull the leg to check the joint, and return it to the perch if it moves
2. Assume it is just tired, return it to the cage and watch until the next day
3. Cover the head with a cloth, place it in a dark box to rest, and see a vet the same day
4. Massage the leg to restore blood flow and fly it to check

AnswerC. Cover the head with a cloth, place it in a dark box to rest, and see a vet the same day

ExplanationHanging can cause dislocation or fracture of the leg and a wing fracture. Inability to use the leg and a drooping wing meet the immediate vet-visit criterion. Do not handle; cover the head with a cloth, place the bird in a box too small for the wings to open, keep it dark and resting, and see a vet the same day. Pulling the leg worsens a dislocation or fracture. Waiting until the next day lets bone displacement and nerve damage set in, and pain and shock can cause a sudden deterioration. Massage and test flights move the injured part and are the worst things to do.

IssuesThe bird was left unattended while tethered. The perch was placed near a fence where the leash could tangle, and the leash length was not appropriate. The owner did not know that hanging accidents are the most common accident when tethering raptors.

ImprovementNever look away while the bird is tethered, and place the perch where there is nothing to tangle on, such as fences or shrubs. Check leash length and knots every time and replace worn leather. Always return the bird to its cage when you need to look away.

Thinking the bird was used to it, the owner put a 4-year-old Eurasian eagle-owl on a bare arm. A sudden loud noise startled the bird and its talons sank deep into the back of the hand. The grip is strong and the owner is about to pull the hand away from the pain. The bird spreads its feathers in threat and the grip is tightening.

What should be done at this moment?

1. Bear the pain and yank the hand free
2. Shout at the bird and hit its head with the free hand
3. Stop moving, cover the bird's head with a cloth, and open the toes one at a time from behind
4. Dunk the bird in water to startle it into letting go

AnswerC. Stop moving, cover the bird's head with a cloth, and open the toes one at a time from behind

ExplanationA raptor's talons reflexively dig in deeper when you try to pull free. First stop moving and check where the feet are, cover the head with a cloth to darken and calm the bird, then open the toes one at a time from behind and release slowly. Afterward place it on a perch and keep your distance. Pulling the hand free deepens the wound and damages tendons and nerves. Hitting or shouting excites the bird further and tightens the grip. Dunking in water is dangerous for both bird and person and causes panic and thrashing. Talon wounds are deep and infect easily, so rinse under running water and see a surgeon if swelling develops.

IssuesThe owner overestimated the bird's tameness and handled it without a glove. They underestimated that raptors keep strong wild instincts even when tame and grip reflexively at sudden sounds. They also did not know the steps to release the talons.

ImprovementAlways wear a glove and handle with calm movements. Practice the release procedure for a talon grip with the whole family. Handle the bird where sudden sounds or movements will not occur, and always keep a cloth within reach.

A 2-year-old barn owl in molt. After thrashing in the cage, blood is dripping from the base of a new wing feather and a pool of blood has formed on the floor. The shaft appears to be broken partway along, and the bird is agitated with its wing slightly drooped. The bleeding has continued for several minutes.

What should be done first?

1. Pull the broken feather out from the base to stop the bleeding
2. Cover the head to calm the bird, press the base of the feather with clean gauze for several minutes, and see a vet if it does not stop
3. Blow hot air from a hair dryer over the whole wing to dry the blood
4. Bleeding stops on its own, so leave it and just darken the cage

AnswerB. Cover the head to calm the bird, press the base of the feather with clean gauze for several minutes, and see a vet if it does not stop

ExplanationNew feathers during molt (blood feathers) carry blood vessels and keep bleeding when broken. First cover the head with a cloth to darken and calm the bird, then press the base with clean gauze for several minutes. If the bleeding does not stop it meets the immediate vet-visit criterion, so keep pressing while transporting. Pulling the feather yourself can cause heavy bleeding from the follicle and infection; leave that decision to a vet. Hot air does not dry blood, raises body temperature and heightens agitation. Leaving bleeding heavy enough to pool risks fatal blood loss.

IssuesThe owner did not know that blood feathers during molt break and bleed easily. Causes of thrashing in the cage (noise, foot traffic) had not been removed, and the layout let the wings hit the walls.

ImprovementKeep an especially quiet environment during molt and place perches far enough from walls that the wings cannot touch. Keep gauze and styptic on hand, and set a rule that bleeding that will not stop means an immediate vet visit. Record broken feathers and discuss them at the next vet visit.

In the evening, a 3-year-old little owl tethered in the yard was pounced on by a stray cat. The owner rushed over and the cat fled, but feathers on the bird's back are missing and there are two small puncture marks on the skin that look like bite wounds. Bleeding is slight, and the bird is agitated and breathing fast.

What is the appropriate response?

1. Bleeding is slight and the bird is lively, so just disinfect and watch
2. Rinse the wounds under running water, keep it dark, warm and resting, and see a vet the same day for antibiotic treatment
3. Pour hydrogen peroxide on the wounds and have them checked at next week's routine checkup
4. Let it bathe to calm down and tidy its feathers

AnswerB. Rinse the wounds under running water, keep it dark, warm and resting, and see a vet the same day for antibiotic treatment

ExplanationEven small cat bite wounds rapidly become infected with oral bacteria, and in a small raptor this can be fatal within days. Rinse the wounds with saline or running water, keep the bird dark, warm and resting, and see a vet the same day for antibiotic treatment. Infection progresses even if the bird looks lively, so watching is dangerous. Hydrogen peroxide damages tissue, and waiting until next week is far too late. Bathing an agitated bird lowers body temperature and adds stress, worsening its condition.

IssuesThere were no measures to keep stray cats out while tethering outdoors, and the bird was left unattended. The owner underestimated that small raptors become prey for cats and did not know the infection risk of bite wounds.

ImprovementTether outdoors only inside an enclosure that cats, crows and weasels cannot enter, and never look away. Avoid outdoor tethering for small species; do flight practice indoors or in an enclosed, safe area. Set a rule that any animal bite means a same-day vet visit.

In a hurry, the owner thawed a frozen chick in the microwave and gave it to a 2-year-old tawny owl while the center was still hot. The bird took one bite, shook its head, dropped the food and is now working its mouth on the perch with its beak open. The inside of the mouth is red and something like drool is hanging from it.

What is the appropriate response?

1. Rinse the mouth with ice water and give the rest of the food
2. A mouth burn is minor, so watch and feed again the next day
3. Remove the food, keep it dark and quiet, and see a vet the same day to have the mouth examined
4. Apply human mouth-ulcer medication inside the beak

AnswerC. Remove the food, keep it dark and quiet, and see a vet the same day to have the mouth examined

ExplanationMicrowave thawing makes the center very hot and burns the mouth and crop. Redness in the mouth and drooling indicate mucosal damage, which leads to feeding problems and infection, so see a vet the same day. Until then remove the food and keep the bird dark, quiet and resting. Rinsing with ice water risks lowering body temperature and aspiration, and giving food to a burned mouth means it cannot eat for pain and worsens. Leaving it until the next day lets infection and necrosis progress. Human mouth-ulcer medication may contain ingredients harmful to birds.

IssuesThe owner rapidly thawed frozen feed in a microwave and did not check its temperature. There was no habit of checking feed temperature and condition before feeding, and safety checks were skipped under time pressure.

ImprovementThaw frozen feed fully in the refrigerator or at room temperature; never use a microwave. Check the core temperature with a finger before feeding and serve it neither too hot nor too cold. When short of time, get in the habit of thawing the day before.

When the cage door was closed, a toe of a 3-year-old white-faced scops owl was caught in the gap between the door and the frame. The bird screamed and flapped; the owner opened the door at once, but the toe is bent at a strange angle and the bird cannot grip with that foot and lets it hang. There is slight bleeding at the base of the talon.

What should be done first?

1. Straighten the bent toe by hand and hold it in place
2. Cover the head with a cloth, rest it in a dark box, press lightly on the bleeding, and see a vet the same day
3. Put it on the perch and repeatedly check whether it can use the toe
4. Cut a strip of medicated patch, wrap it around the toe, and see a vet the next day

AnswerB. Cover the head with a cloth, rest it in a dark box, press lightly on the bleeding, and see a vet the same day

ExplanationA deformed toe that cannot grip strongly suggests a fracture or dislocation and needs a same-day vet visit. Do not handle; cover the head to calm the bird, rest it in a dark box, and press the bleeding lightly with clean gauze. Straightening the toe yourself damages bone and ligaments further and the severe pain can cause shock. Repeatedly putting it on the perch loads the injured part and worsens it. Human medicated patches contain ingredients harmful to birds and are an improper splint, and waiting until the next day makes treatment harder.

IssuesThe owner did not check where the bird's feet were when closing the door. A structure where toes or wings could be caught between the door and the frame was left as it was. The basic rule that raptors must be handled with calm movements was neglected.

ImprovementSeal door gaps with rubber or cushioning and always look at the bird's position before closing. Use double doors at the entrance and avoid sudden movements. Share with the family that trapping accidents lead to toe and wing fractures, and always handle slowly.

A 2-year-old Harris's hawk in training. An old jess snapped suddenly and the bird flew to a tall tree nearby. It will not come down when called, and evening is approaching. No telemetry is fitted. Nearby there is a road and a wood full of wild birds.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Throw stones or shout to drive it out of the tree
2. Show food and call it back patiently; if it does not return, report to the police and public health center and alert the neighborhood
3. Assume it will come home by itself at night and wait at home
4. Climb the tree and catch it with bare hands

AnswerB. Show food and call it back patiently; if it does not return, report to the police and public health center and alert the neighborhood

ExplanationThe basic approach to an escaped raptor is to show food and call it back; a tame bird may return once hungry. If it does not, report early to the police and public health center, alert the neighborhood and gather sightings. Chasing it drives it farther away and raises the risk of a road accident or contact with wild birds. A captive raptor cannot hunt for itself and will weaken if left, so just waiting at home is dangerous. Climbing the tree to catch it bare-handed risks a fall and talon injuries.

IssuesThe jess was kept in use without checking for wear. No telemetry was fitted, so there was no way to track the bird after escape. The owner had not checked in advance where to report an escape or what the procedure was.

ImprovementInspect jesses and leash before every training session and replace any that are cracked or stiff. Fit telemetry for free flight and training. Prepare a card listing escape contacts (police, public health center, neighbors) and the steps for calling the bird back with food.

Late at night there was a loud noise; looking at the cage, a 5-year-old barn owl was lying on its side on the floor. It seems to have fallen from a 1.5 m perch onto a hard plastic tray floor. Its eyes are open but it cannot stand, and it keeps one leg extended and does not move it.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Pick it up and stand it to check whether it can use the leg
2. Assume it was just startled and leave it in the dark until morning
3. Move it gently to a dark box, keep it warm and resting, and call a clinic that treats raptors and handles after-hours cases
4. Film it and ask on social media the next morning what caused it

AnswerC. Move it gently to a dark box, keep it warm and resting, and call a clinic that treats raptors and handles after-hours cases

ExplanationFalling and being unable to move, with a leg kept extended and still, suggests a fracture and meets the immediate vet-visit criterion. Picking it up and standing it moves the fracture and worsens it. Leaving it until morning risks a sudden deterioration from pain, shock and hypothermia. Rather than spend time filming, move the bird quietly to a box too small for the wings to open, keep it warm, and call an after-hours clinic for transport. If no clinic that treats raptors is available at night, keep it dark, quiet and warm and see a vet first thing in the morning.

IssuesThe perch was high but the floor was hard plastic that could not absorb the impact of a fall. The environment had not been set up with causes of a nighttime fall in mind (panic, noise, a tangled leash).

ImprovementLay soft material (artificial turf or a thick mat) on the floor and review perch height. Reduce nighttime noise and changes in lighting to remove causes of panic. Find a raptor clinic that handles after-hours cases, and keep a transport box and cloth ready.

In the morning, a 1-year-old little owl was tethered to a block perch in the yard. While the owner was on the phone inside, there was loud screeching outside. Several crows were dive-bombing repeatedly; the bird had fled to the end of its leash with feathers fluffed, leaping up in panic and falling back down.

What should be done first?

1. Go outside at once to drive off the crows, cover the bird's head with a cloth, bring it indoors and check for injuries
2. The crows will leave on their own, so finish the call and then go check
3. Unclip the bird's leash so it can fly away freely
4. Make a loud noise from the window to startle the crows and the bird at the same time

AnswerA. Go outside at once to drive off the crows, cover the bird's head with a cloth, bring it indoors and check for injuries

ExplanationSmall raptors can become the prey of crows, kites and cats. Go outside immediately to drive off the crows, cover the bird's head with a cloth to calm it, bring it indoors, and check the wings, legs and talons and for bleeding. Repeated panicked falls can cause fractures or leg dislocation, so if a wing droops or the bird limps, see a vet that day. Prioritizing the phone call lets the attack and the falls continue. Unclipping the leash leads to escape and an accident while being chased by crows. A loud noise heightens the bird's panic and causes more falls.

IssuesThe bird was left unattended while tethered outdoors. There was no enclosure to keep crows out, and a small species was placed in an exposed spot. Awareness that raptors are targeted by other predators was low.

ImprovementNever look away during outdoor tethering; return the bird to its cage when on the phone or doing chores. Make the outdoor area a structure wild birds and cats cannot enter, and tether small species only inside an enclosure. Do not put the bird outside in seasons or at times when crows are numerous.

The cage door latch came loose and a 3-year-old Indian eagle-owl flew out into the room. A medium-sized dog in the same room got excited and chased it; the bird escaped to the top of a bookshelf, but feathers are scattered on the floor and one of the bird's legs is wet with what looks like dog saliva. The bird is breathing fast with its mouth open.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Scold the dog and go catch the bird bare-handed on the spot
2. Isolate the dog in another room, then dim the lights, recover the bird quietly with a glove and cloth, check the leg for wounds, and see a vet the same day
3. If there seems to be no injury, leave it until it returns to the cage by itself
4. Toss it food to eat so it calms down

AnswerB. Isolate the dog in another room, then dim the lights, recover the bird quietly with a glove and cloth, check the leg for wounds, and see a vet the same day

ExplanationFirst isolate the dog in another room to remove the danger. Then dim the lights to slow the bird's movements and recover it quietly with a glove and cloth. The area wet with dog saliva may be a bite wound, and even a small wound can become infected rapidly, so see a vet the same day. Open-mouth breathing may be from agitation, but if it continues it strains the airways. Going after the bird bare-handed with the dog present causes panicked collisions and talon injuries to the owner. Leaving it keeps the agitation going and risks another encounter with the dog or a window collision. An agitated raptor will not eat tossed food, and it only adds to the risk.

IssuesThe door latch had not been checked for looseness, and there were no double doors. The cage was in the same space as the dog, underestimating the danger that raptors are attacked by dogs and cats.

ImprovementFit double doors to the cage and check the latch daily. Keep separate rooms for dogs and cats; never keep them in the same space. Go over the recovery procedure for an escape (dim the lights, glove and cloth) with the family, and make isolating the dog the top priority.

A 2-year-old barn owl with a deep basin set out as a bath. The owner found it sunk in the basin with wings spread, only its head above the water, struggling desperately. When lifted out it was soaked through and shivering; its eyes were open but it was limp, and a little water came from its mouth. Room temperature is 18°C.

What should be done first?

1. Hold it upside down to get the water out, then return it to the perch
2. Dry it quickly with hot air from a hair dryer to restore body temperature
3. Gently blot the water with a towel, keep it warm in a dark box in the low 20s°C, and see a vet immediately if breathing is labored or it is slow to respond
4. Water dries on its own, so darken the cage and just watch

AnswerC. Gently blot the water with a towel, keep it warm in a dark box in the low 20s°C, and see a vet immediately if breathing is labored or it is slow to respond

ExplanationWet feathers lose their insulation and the bird becomes hypothermic fast, so first blot the water gently with a towel and keep it warm in a dark, quiet box at a suitable temperature (low 20s°C). Water may have been inhaled, so if breathing is labored, the bird is slow to respond or foam comes from the mouth, see a vet immediately. Holding it upside down to drain water blocks the airway and is dangerous. Hot air from a hair dryer causes burns and sudden temperature changes. Watching while it is still wet lets hypothermia progress even at 18°C and can trigger aspergillosis.

IssuesThe bath dish was deep, with a shape a bird with spread wings could not climb out of once its feathers were wet and heavy. The bird was unattended for a long time, and the risk of drowning had not been considered.

ImprovementUse a shallow, wide bath dish with water only ankle-deep. Supervise bathing within sight. In winter, raise the room temperature before bathing and provide a warm place to dry off afterward.

While moving indoors with a 4-year-old Harris's hawk on the arm, the owner stepped on the dangling leash; the bird was jerked suddenly and nearly fell off the arm. It is clinging to the arm with one leg, holding the other leg up, and will not step down to the floor. Flapping is normal and there is no bleeding.

What is the appropriate response?

1. Grip the leg and move it; if it does not show pain, continue training
2. Return it to the perch to rest for a few hours; if it keeps not using the leg, swelling or limping continues, see a vet that day
3. Spray cooling spray on the leg
4. Pull the leg to stretch it

AnswerB. Return it to the perch to rest for a few hours; if it keeps not using the leg, swelling or limping continues, see a vet that day

ExplanationA sprain or minor injury to the leg from the sudden pull is suspected. With no bleeding or deformity and normal flapping, first return the bird to a soft perch to rest for a few hours and observe whether it can grip and whether there is swelling or limping. If it keeps not using the leg, or swelling or limping continues, see a vet that day; if there is deformity, see a vet immediately. Gripping and moving the leg worsens the injury, and continuing training strains the joint. Cooling spray leaves chemicals on feathers and skin and is harmful. Stretching widens ligament damage.

IssuesThe owner moved with the leash dangling rather than secured to the arm. The basic rule of leash management (wrap it around the glove and hold it) was neglected, and the owner was not watching their feet.

ImprovementWhen moving, always wrap the leash around the glove and hold it short; never let it hang to the floor. Clear the route of obstacles underfoot. After an accident, check the leg every few hours and record it as a basis for the vet-visit decision.

A 3-year-old tawny owl loose indoors touched its beak to an extension cord on the floor; there was a crack and it fell to the floor. The bird is lying down, its wings twitching slightly, and the area around its beak looks blackened and scorched. Breathing is shallow and fast. The cord is still live.

What should be done first?

1. Pick the bird up immediately and move it away from the cord
2. Give water by mouth to cool the burned airway
3. Pull the cord out, then touch the bird and do chest compressions
4. Unplug the power first, cover the head, keep it warm in a dark box, and transport immediately to a clinic that treats raptors

AnswerD. Unplug the power first, cover the head, keep it warm in a dark box, and transport immediately to a clinic that treats raptors

ExplanationTouching a bird that is still in contact with a live current will shock the owner too, so unplug the power first. Then cover the head, place it in a dark box, keep it warm and transport immediately. Electric shock causes not only beak burns but heart and lung damage that may appear hours later, so a vet visit is essential even if the bird seems to recover. Picking it up while the current is live causes a second casualty. Giving water to a bird that is not fully conscious causes aspiration. Chest compressions damage a bird's keel and organs, so do not perform them; clear the airway and keep warm while transporting.

IssuesElectrical cords were exposed in a room where the bird was loose. The owner did not consider a raptor's habit of probing objects with its beak and had not anticipated the risk of electric shock.

ImprovementCover or remove cords in any room where the bird is loose, and fit protective covers on outlets. Free flight only in a room cleared of all hazards in advance. Go over the electric-shock procedure (cut the power first) with the family.

A 2-year-old Harris's hawk. It had been chewing on an old leather leash in its cage, and now a piece about 10 cm long is missing. The bird keeps stretching and retracting its neck, and the crop area is unnaturally distended. It has not cast anything up yet.

What is the appropriate response?

1. Massage the crop to make it bring up the object
2. Feed extra food to push the object through
3. Stop feeding and contact a clinic that treats raptors urgently for a visit
4. It will come out naturally in a pellet, so wait 2–3 days

AnswerC. Stop feeding and contact a clinic that treats raptors urgently for a visit

ExplanationSwallowing a foreign object such as leash, rubber or string with a distended crop meets the urgent vet-visit criterion. Leather is not digested and risks obstruction or perforation of the digestive tract. Massaging the crop can lodge the object in the esophagus and cause choking. Feeding worsens the obstruction and vomiting causes aspiration. Waiting days in hope it comes out with a pellet lets intestinal obstruction and necrosis progress. Tell the vet what was swallowed and how much.

IssuesAn old leash was left in the cage where the bird could chew and play with it. The owner did not know the danger of raptors swallowing foreign objects whole, or that a distended crop is an emergency sign.

ImprovementKeep jesses and leash out of the cage except during training, and discard worn ones. Keep string, rubber and small metal out of the cage. Manage the prep area and tools so no foreign objects get into the feed, and set a rule that suspected ingestion means an urgent vet visit.

A farming acquaintance gave the owner wild mice caught in a storehouse, which were fed to a 4-year-old Eurasian eagle-owl for 2 days. On day 3, there is blood in the droppings and pinpoint bleeding inside the mouth. The bird is listless with drooping wings. When asked, the acquaintance confirmed rodenticide had been set out in the storehouse.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Find out the type of rodenticide and call a clinic that treats raptors right now for a visit
2. Stop the wild mice and the poison will clear in a few days, so watch
3. Give milk to dilute the poison
4. Pour salt water into the mouth to induce vomiting

AnswerA. Find out the type of rodenticide and call a clinic that treats raptors right now for a visit

ExplanationA raptor that eats mice poisoned with anticoagulant rodenticide suffers secondary poisoning, and a bleeding tendency (bloody droppings, pinpoint bleeding in the mouth) appears days later. Bleeding that will not stop meets the immediate vet-visit criterion, and an antidote (vitamin K) is needed, so see a vet right now. Knowing the type of rodenticide helps treatment. Waiting days risks death from internal bleeding. Milk cannot be digested by birds and does not dilute poison. Inducing vomiting with salt water causes salt poisoning and aspiration and is even more dangerous for a bird with a bleeding tendency.

IssuesThe owner underestimated the dangers of feeding wild mice (parasites, toxins, infectious disease) and fed them without checking the source. They were not familiar with the manual's list of prohibited feed.

ImprovementLimit feed to reliable frozen mice, chicks and quail; never feed wild mice or wild birds. Decline feed offered by others. Learn the signs of secondary rodenticide poisoning (bleeding tendency) and the urgency of a vet visit.

Home late, the owner hurriedly thawed a frozen mouse under running water and fed it to a 3-year-old barn owl with the center still frozen. The next morning an undigested mouse had been vomited onto the floor with a strong foul odor. The bird is hunched with its neck drawn in, tends to keep its eyes closed, and its crop is distended.

What is the appropriate response?

1. Warm up the vomited mouse and feed it again
2. Refreeze the same mouse overnight in the fridge and feed it again the next day
3. Give yogurt as a digestive aid
4. Stop feeding and keep it warm; if there is no improvement the next day, or the odor and vomiting continue, see a vet that same day

AnswerD. Stop feeding and keep it warm; if there is no improvement the next day, or the odor and vomiting continue, see a vet that same day

ExplanationHalf-thawed feed does not warm up in the crop, digestion stalls, and it rots, causing vomiting and crop inflammation. With undigested vomit, foul odor, a distended crop and listlessness, stop feeding and keep the bird warm; if vomiting or odor continues, see a vet that same day. Vomiting is included in the same-day criteria, so do not hesitate if it worsens. Vomited food is full of bacteria and refeeding it is dangerous. Refrozen feed loses quality and causes food poisoning; it is on the prohibited list. Birds cannot digest lactose, so yogurt causes diarrhea.

IssuesThawing was not planned, and feed was given with the center still frozen. The owner did not know that half-thawed or refrozen feed is prohibited.

ImprovementThaw feed fully in the refrigerator from the day before and check it is soft to the center before feeding. On days you will be home late, start thawing in the morning. Never refreeze thawed feed; discard any that has sat too long.

A 2-year-old little owl loose indoors. The owner saw it swallow whole a family member's fever and pain tablet that had fallen from the table, mistaking it for food. The bird still seems fine, but the tablet is a standard human dose and the bird weighs 150 g. It is early afternoon and your regular vet is open.

What should be done first?

1. Confirm the drug name and amount and contact a clinic that treats raptors urgently for a visit, even with no symptoms
2. It seems fine, so watch for a few hours and see a vet if it becomes limp
3. Press the crop to make it bring up the tablet
4. Give lots of water to dilute the drug

AnswerA. Confirm the drug name and amount and contact a clinic that treats raptors urgently for a visit, even with no symptoms

ExplanationFor a 150 g bird, a standard human dose of a fever and pain medication can be lethal. The prognosis is better the earlier treatment starts, so confirm the drug name and amount and see a vet urgently even if the bird seems fine. Swallowing a foreign object or drug is an urgent vet-visit criterion. By the time symptoms appear, liver or kidney damage is already advanced. Pressing the crop to induce vomiting risks choking; in birds, leave induced vomiting to a vet. Giving lots of water causes aspiration and does not prevent absorption.

IssuesMedications and small objects were not cleared from the table before letting the bird loose. The owner did not know that raptors swallow small objects whole, mistaking them for food, and underestimated the danger of human medication.

ImprovementClear all swallowable items such as medications, small objects and rubber from any room where the bird is loose. Store medications in lidded containers on a high shelf. Set a rule that ingestion means an urgent vet visit even without symptoms, and keep the packaging so you can give the drug name.

On a summer evening, because of many mosquitoes, the owner sprayed aerosol insecticide in the room containing the cage and went out with the windows closed. On returning 2 hours later, a 3-year-old tawny owl was breathing with its beak open on the perch, eyes narrowed and feathers fluffed. The smell of the spray still lingers in the room.

What should be done first?

1. Move the whole cage immediately to a well-ventilated room; if breathing does not settle, see a vet immediately
2. Insecticide is harmless to birds, so open the windows and wait for the smell to clear
3. Shampoo the whole body to wash the chemical off the feathers
4. Put it in the bath dish to wash its own feathers

AnswerA. Move the whole cage immediately to a well-ventilated room; if breathing does not settle, see a vet immediately

ExplanationBirds have an efficient respiratory system with air sacs and are extremely sensitive to inhaled insecticides and aerosols; spraying in a closed space causes poisoning. First move the bird to another room with fresh air, keep it dark and quiet, and watch the breathing. Continued open-mouth breathing meets the immediate vet-visit criterion. The belief that insecticide is harmless to birds is wrong, and respiratory failure progresses while you wait. Shampooing the whole body lowers body temperature, ruins feather waterproofing and increases the risk of oral ingestion. Bathing is the same, and it is a heavy burden on a bird in respiratory distress.

IssuesInsecticide was used in the bird's room and the owner went out without ventilating. They lacked the basic knowledge that birds' respiratory systems are extremely vulnerable to chemicals and smoke.

ImprovementNever use insecticide, air fresheners or anything that produces smoke in the bird's room. Control mosquitoes with screens and cleaning; if a chemical must be used, move the bird to another room and ventilate thoroughly before returning it. A well-ventilated environment also helps prevent aspergillosis.

An August afternoon, outdoor temperature 36°C. The room was kept at 25°C by air conditioning, but a power outage stopped it and the room rose to 31°C within an hour. A 2-year-old snowy owl has started to open its beak and spread its wings slightly. There is no estimate for restoration; on hand are ice packs, frozen water bottles and a battery-powered fan.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Move the cage to the window to let the outside breeze in
2. Wrap frozen bottles in towels and place them beside the cage, blow the battery fan, wet the feet and underwings, and evacuate to a cool place if there is no improvement
3. Wrap ice packs directly around the body to cool it rapidly
4. Fill the bathtub with cold water and immerse the bird to cool it

AnswerB. Wrap frozen bottles in towels and place them beside the cage, blow the battery fan, wet the feet and underwings, and evacuate to a cool place if there is no improvement

ExplanationSnowy owls are especially heat-sensitive, and the risk of heatstroke rises above 25°C. During an outage, place towel-wrapped frozen bottles or ice packs beside the cage, blow a battery fan, and wet the feet and underwings to limit the rise in body temperature. If there is no improvement, evacuate to a car or a cool facility. If open-mouth breathing continues and the bird is slow to respond, see a vet that day. The window is counterproductive with 36°C outside air. Ice packs directly on the body cause frostbite and sudden vasoconstriction. Immersion in cold water carries the same risk of shock as ice water.

IssuesPreparation of cooling methods for a summer outage was inadequate. Despite keeping a particularly heat-sensitive species, the owner had not thought about where to evacuate if the air conditioning stopped.

ImprovementIn summer keep ice packs, frozen bottles, a battery fan and a cooling mat on hand, and set the procedure for an outage. Decide in advance on an evacuation place (a relative's cool home or the car) and keep the carrier ready to use. Keep heat-sensitive species strictly below 25°C.

A strong earthquake (intensity 6) late at night. The wooden enclosure in the yard has tilted and the netting is torn; a 5-year-old Harris's hawk has come out through the tear and is sitting on top of the garden fence. Aftershocks continue and the area is pitch dark with a power outage. The bird is agitated with feathers fluffed, and one wing looks slightly drooped. The family's safety has been secured.

What is the appropriate response?

1. Chase it in the dark and grab it by hand
2. Get a glove and cloth, show food and guide it calmly; after recovering it, check the wing in a safe place indoors and decide whether to see a vet
3. Aftershocks are frightening, so leave the bird and shelter indoors until morning
4. Keep calling its name loudly to call it back

AnswerB. Get a glove and cloth, show food and guide it calmly; after recovering it, check the wing in a safe place indoors and decide whether to see a vet

ExplanationHarris's hawks are diurnal and reluctant to fly in the dark, so a familiar owner showing food has a good chance of guiding and recovering it. Get a glove and cloth, approach with calm movements and recover it. As the enclosure is damaged, move it to a safe place indoors; if a wing droops, suspect a fracture and decide on a same-day vet visit. Chasing it in the dark makes it take off, risking collisions and escape. Leaving it until morning means further aftershocks startle it and cats or wild animals may attack. Shouting agitates it further.

IssuesThe outdoor enclosure had low earthquake resistance and no double structure to prevent escape if damaged. Disaster recovery supplies (glove, cloth, carrier, flashlight) were not kept where they could be reached at once.

ImprovementAnchor and reinforce the outdoor enclosure and fit double doors at the entrance. Keep disaster supplies in one place: feed, carrier, glove, cloth, flashlight, ice packs and warming items. Share the call-back procedure for an escape and the evacuation place with the family.

A January night; a cold wave caused a power outage and the heating stopped. The room of a 1-year-old white-faced scops owl, a tropical species, fell to 10°C; the bird is fluffed up and shivering, motionless on its perch. Restoration looks hours away. On hand are disposable hand warmers, blankets and a hot-water bottle.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Place disposable hand warmers on the cage floor in direct contact with the bird
2. Do nothing; owls tolerate cold, so wait until morning
3. Move the cage into a smaller box, cover with a blanket, place a towel-wrapped hot-water bottle on the outside to hold about 20°C, and check with a thermometer
4. Run hot water in the bathroom and warm the room with steam

AnswerC. Move the cage into a smaller box, cover with a blanket, place a towel-wrapped hot-water bottle on the outside to hold about 20°C, and check with a thermometer

ExplanationTropical species are cold-sensitive, and 10°C risks hypothermia. Reduce the space, cover with a blanket, place a towel-wrapped hot-water bottle on the outside to hold about 20°C, and check with a thermometer to prevent overheating. Hand warmers in direct contact cause low-temperature burns and consume oxygen in an enclosed space. Cold tolerance applies to northern species, not tropical ones. Steam raises humidity too much, breeding mold (aspergillosis), and damp feathers actually drain body heat.

IssuesTemperature control for a tropical species relied entirely on electricity, with no warming method prepared for an outage. There was no habit of checking with a thermometer, and the owner did not understand that cold tolerance differs by species.

ImprovementIn winter keep a hot-water bottle, blankets and a cardboard box ready for outages, and set a warming procedure checked with a thermometer. Never let tropical species fall below 15°C. Have a way to check outage information, and move to a warm evacuation place if it drags on.

An evacuation order has been issued for an approaching large typhoon. The owner must take a 3-year-old barn owl to the shelter, but the shelter is crowded and noisy. On hand are a carrier, a cloth, several days of frozen feed, the record notebook and the CITES registration certificate. Departure is in one hour.

What is the appropriate preparation and action?

1. The bird is sensitive to noise, so leave it at home with extra water and food
2. Carry it to the shelter on the arm without a carrier
3. Use a carrier too small for the wings to open with a non-slip lining, cover it with the cloth to darken, bring feed, records and the certificate, and secure a quiet spot at the shelter
4. Leave the carrier open at the shelter so other evacuees can see the bird

AnswerC. Use a carrier too small for the wings to open with a non-slip lining, cover it with the cloth to darken, bring feed, records and the certificate, and secure a quiet spot at the shelter

ExplanationThe basics of transporting a raptor are a carrier too small for the wings to open, a non-slip lining, and darkening with a hood or cloth, carried quietly. At the shelter, foot traffic and noise are stressful, so secure a quiet corner and keep the carrier covered. Feed, records and the CITES registration certificate are needed for vet visits and proof of identity. Leaving the bird at home risks death from flooding or power loss. Carrying it on the arm means it escapes in the storm and injures people with its talons. An open carrier lets it escape and risks bites and talon wounds to people nearby.

IssuesThe owner had not thought in advance about how to transport a raptor during evacuation or manage it at a shelter. They had not checked with the municipal office whether pets could be brought to the shelter, and prepared in a rush on the day.

ImprovementCheck the municipal office's policy on evacuating with pets in advance, and specifically discuss acceptance conditions for raptors. Keep an evacuation kit with carrier, cloth, feed, records, certificate and ice packs. Once a year, practice a short trip with the bird in the carrier.

June, with days of humidity above 80%. In a closed room, black mold has grown in the corners of the wooden cage and on the newspaper on the floor. A 4-year-old Eurasian eagle-owl shows no symptoms yet, but its appetite has dropped slightly. There is no dehumidifier in the room, and the windows cannot be opened because of rain.

What is the most appropriate response?

1. Scrub the mold off dry with a brush and return the bird to the cage as is
2. Move the bird to another room, dampen and wipe off the mold, ventilate and dehumidify, return the bird once dry, and watch closely for changes in breathing
3. Spray chlorine bleach mold remover on the cage and let it dry with the bird inside
4. It will dry out once the rainy season ends, so keep using it as is

AnswerB. Move the bird to another room, dampen and wipe off the mold, ventilate and dehumidify, return the bird once dry, and watch closely for changes in breathing

ExplanationMold spores cause aspergillosis, which is fatal to birds, and multiply in humid, poorly ventilated conditions. First move the bird to another room, dampen the mold and wipe it off so spores do not become airborne, lower humidity to 50–60% with a dehumidifier or ventilation, and return the bird only once fully dry. Since appetite has dropped, see a vet that day if open-mouth breathing or breathing sounds appear. Dry scrubbing sends spores into the air for the bird to inhale. Chlorine bleach gives off gases harmful to birds, and working with the bird inside is absolutely forbidden. Leaving it means ongoing spore inhalation and a rising risk of disease.

IssuesHumidity control during the rainy season was neglected; a wooden cage and newspaper were left damp in a poorly ventilated room. The owner did not know the link between mold and aspergillosis and had no hygrometer.

ImprovementInstall a hygrometer and keep 50–60%. In the rainy season, ventilate with a dehumidifier or circulator and change the flooring daily. Wooden cages grow mold easily, so inspect regularly and keep them in a well-ventilated room.

The owner shared the family's kitchen cutting board and knife when thawing frozen chicks. The next day, the elementary-school-age child developed severe diarrhea and a fever. The bird itself is fine, and the owner had only rinsed their hands lightly with water after preparing the feed.

What is the appropriate response in this situation?

1. Decide the child has a cold and carry on caring for the bird as before
2. Prepare to get rid of or rehome the bird
3. Have the child see a doctor and mention the bird, then separate the feed tools and enforce hand washing and disinfection
4. Give the bird human antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria

AnswerC. Have the child see a doctor and mention the bird, then separate the feed tools and enforce hand washing and disinfection

ExplanationRaw feed can carry Salmonella even when the raptor shows no symptoms, and it spreads to people via a shared cutting board and inadequate hand washing. Children and the elderly are prone to severe illness, so have the child see a doctor and tell them you keep a bird and handle raw feed so the right tests are done. Use dedicated cutting boards, knives and containers for feed and disinfect them, and wash hands with soap after preparing feed and after care. Assuming a cold is dangerous. There is no need to give up the bird; this is a hygiene management problem. Human antibiotics are harmful to the bird and do not resolve carrier status.

IssuesFeed and cooking tools were shared, and hand washing after feed preparation was inadequate. The whole family lacked awareness that keeping raptors on raw feed carries a zoonotic risk.

ImprovementThaw and prepare feed with dedicated cutting boards, knives and containers, and disinfect after use. Wash hands with soap for at least 30 seconds after preparing feed and after care. Keep children and the elderly out of feed preparation, and share the infection risk with the family.

An owner keeping 3 owls. On the weekend they swept the dried droppings and feather dust off the cage floors all at once with a broom, without a mask. A few days later, a dry cough, a fever in the 38°C range and severe fatigue have persisted. The birds look fine, but one has slightly green droppings.

What is the appropriate response?

1. Take over-the-counter cold medicine and keep cleaning the cages as before
2. See a doctor and mention keeping birds; switch to misting before cleaning and wearing a mask, and have the birds examined too
3. Put all the birds outdoors and disinfect the house
4. Leave the birds uncared for until the fever goes down

AnswerB. See a doctor and mention keeping birds; switch to misting before cleaning and wearing a mask, and have the birds examined too

ExplanationInhaling dried droppings and feather dust is a transmission route for zoonoses such as psittacosis, and fever, dry cough and fatigue are typical symptoms. See a doctor and be sure to mention that you keep birds so you get the right tests and treatment. At the same time, the bird with green droppings may be a carrier, so have the birds examined too. Mist before cleaning so no dust rises, and wear a mask. Making do with cold medicine lets it progress to pneumonia. Putting the birds outdoors endangers them and does nothing for infection control. Neglecting care lets the birds weaken.

IssuesSweeping up dried droppings all at once underestimated the risk of inhaling dust. With several birds, weekly hygiene was inadequate, and basic protection such as a mask was not used.

ImprovementChange the flooring daily and clean after misting, wearing a mask. With several birds, improve ventilation and record changes in droppings for each bird. Share the family rule that fever or pneumonia symptoms mean telling the doctor you keep birds.

A household with 2 owls brought home a third bird, a Harris's hawk, from a breeder. It has not had a health check yet and was placed next to the existing cages from the day it arrived. Three days later the newcomer has green diarrhea, and one of the existing birds has been sharing the same feeding platform and bath dish.

What is the appropriate response?

1. Isolate the newcomer in another room, separate and disinfect the equipment, see a vet the same day for a fecal exam, and observe the existing birds
2. Keep all 3 in the same room and watch; if the diarrhea continues, take them all to the vet together
3. Give the newcomer over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medicine
4. Diarrhea is natural with the change of environment, so increase feed to build strength

AnswerA. Isolate the newcomer in another room, separate and disinfect the equipment, see a vet the same day for a fecal exam, and observe the existing birds

ExplanationA new bird may bring in parasites or infectious disease and should be isolated in a separate room until its health check and fecal exam are complete. Green diarrhea is a sign of infection or poor condition, and sharing the feeding platform and bath dish is a transmission route to the existing birds. Isolate the newcomer in another room immediately, separate and disinfect the equipment, see a vet the same day for a fecal exam, and observe the existing birds' droppings and appetite. Watching in the same room spreads infection. Over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medicine blurs the diagnosis and its safety for birds is unknown. Assuming it is the environment and increasing feed does not cure an infection.

IssuesThe basic multi-bird rules of quarantine and a health check at intake were skipped, and equipment was shared. The owner also did not consider that a stressed newcomer is prone to developing infectious disease.

ImprovementQuarantine new birds in a separate room for at least 2 weeks until the health check and fecal exam are done, and care for the existing birds first. Keep feeding platforms, bath dishes and gloves separate for each bird and disinfect regularly. Do fecal exams on all birds 1–2 times a year.

Winter. A dead wild duck was lying right next to the outdoor enclosure in the yard. Avian influenza outbreaks in the area have been in the news. A 5-year-old Eurasian eagle-owl is in the outdoor enclosure, and wild birds have sometimes approached it through the netting. The bird has no symptoms yet.

What is the appropriate response?

1. Pick up the carcass bare-handed, put it in the trash, and keep the bird outdoors as before
2. Feed the carcass to the bird
3. Do not touch the carcass; contact the Livestock Hygiene Service Center or municipal office, move the bird indoors to block contact with wild birds, disinfect shoes and equipment, and observe its condition daily
4. Wash the bird with disinfectant and return it to the outdoor enclosure

AnswerC. Do not touch the carcass; contact the Livestock Hygiene Service Center or municipal office, move the bird indoors to block contact with wild birds, disinfect shoes and equipment, and observe its condition daily

ExplanationAn unusual wild-bird death may be avian influenza; do not touch the carcass, and contact the Livestock Hygiene Service Center or municipal office for instructions. Move the pet bird indoors to block contact with wild birds and their droppings, and disinfect shoes and equipment so people do not carry it in. Observe appetite, breathing and droppings daily for several days; if anything is abnormal, consult a clinic that treats raptors and the public health center. Picking it up bare-handed risks infecting people, and keeping the bird outdoors is also dangerous. Feeding the carcass is the most dangerous act of all. Washing the bird with disinfectant is harmful and does not prevent infection.

IssuesThe outdoor enclosure was not built to keep wild birds away, and local avian influenza reports were not reflected in the housing. The owner did not know where to report an unusual death.

ImprovementCover the outdoor enclosure with netting and a roof that keep wild birds away, and switch to indoor housing when outbreaks are reported. Keep the Livestock Hygiene Service Center's contact on hand and never touch dead wild birds. Never feed wild prey, and disinfect shoes and hands after working outdoors.

At 11 p.m., looking into the cage, a 6-year-old barn owl has its eyes closed on the perch, head drooping, and does not respond when called. Both wings are drooping, the chest barely moves, and it opens its mouth from time to time. Its body feels cold to the touch. Your regular vet is closed and you have not checked which hospitals handle after-hours cases.

What should be done first?

1. Repeatedly compress the chest with both hands as cardiac massage
2. Cover the head, keep it dark and quiet, keep it warm at around 20°C while checking the airway, find and phone an after-hours clinic that treats raptors, and transport it
3. Give a sports drink by beak to perk it up
4. Keep it warm until morning and see a vet as soon as the clinic opens

AnswerB. Cover the head, keep it dark and quiet, keep it warm at around 20°C while checking the airway, find and phone an after-hours clinic that treats raptors, and transport it

ExplanationNo response, drooping wings and open-mouth breathing are criteria for an immediate vet visit. Do not perform chest compressions on a bird, as they damage the keel and organs; cover the head, keep it dark and quiet and warm at a suitable temperature, and wipe dirt from the beak and nostrils to clear the airway. At the same time find and phone an after-hours clinic that treats raptors and transport without jolting. Giving a drink to a poorly responsive bird causes aspiration. Waiting until morning lets respiratory failure and hypothermia progress, very likely too late. Even if no raptor clinic is available at night, look for an emergency hospital that takes phone consultations.

IssuesAfter-hours hospitals had not been checked in advance, so the sudden deterioration began with a search. Daytime signs (appetite, weight, pellets) may have been missed.

ImprovementLook up a clinic that treats raptors and an emergency (after-hours) animal hospital and post the contacts on the cage. Catch early signs of a sudden change with daily morning records of weight, pellets and droppings. Keep a dark transport box, cloth and warming items ready to use, and go over the transport procedure with the family.

A 3-year-old Harris's hawk thrashing indoors caught its wing on the corner of a metal rack, and bleeding from the base of the wing continues. After 5 minutes blood is still dripping and spreading on the floor. The bird is agitated and flapping; the owner is alone and has a glove and clean gauze.

What should be done first?

1. Cover the head with a cloth to calm the bird, keep pressing the site with gauze, and call a clinic that treats raptors and transport it
2. Tie a rubber band tightly around the base of the wing to stop the bleeding
3. Pour rubbing alcohol on the wound and then bandage it
4. Bleeding stops on its own, so darken the cage and watch for an hour

AnswerA. Cover the head with a cloth to calm the bird, keep pressing the site with gauze, and call a clinic that treats raptors and transport it

ExplanationThe rule for bleeding from a wing or the body is to keep pressing while transporting. First cover the head with a cloth to calm the bird, press the site with clean gauze for several minutes or more; bleeding that will not stop meets the immediate vet-visit criterion, so keep pressing while calling the clinic and transporting. In small and medium birds even a small blood loss becomes dangerous. A rubber band cuts off blood flow entirely and causes tissue necrosis and nerve damage. Alcohol causes severe pain and tissue damage and worsens bleeding. Leaving bleeding that has not stopped after 5 minutes for an hour risks death from blood loss.

IssuesA metal rack with sharp corners was in the room, creating an environment where a wing could catch. Triggers for agitation and thrashing had not been removed, and the owner did not know the bleeding-control steps or the criteria for urgency.

ImprovementRemove sharp-cornered metal items and netting from the bird's room and arrange it so wings cannot strike anything. Keep clean gauze, styptic, a cloth and a glove together in a first-aid kit. Set a rule that bleeding that will not stop means pressing while transporting immediately, and keep the clinic contact at hand.

In the evening, a 4-year-old white-faced scops owl suddenly flailed its wings, fell from the perch, and is convulsing on the floor with its body arched. After several tens of seconds it went limp and is breathing hard. Its eyes are open but unfocused. There is no obvious cause.

What is the appropriate response?

1. Hold the body down during the seizure to stop the movement
2. Put a finger in the mouth and pull the tongue out to clear the airway
3. Clear objects from around it and watch until the seizure stops; then cover the head, keep it warm in a dark box, and see a vet immediately
4. Spray water on it to bring it round

AnswerC. Clear objects from around it and watch until the seizure stops; then cover the head, keep it warm in a dark box, and see a vet immediately

ExplanationA seizure meets the immediate vet-visit criterion. Holding the bird down during a seizure can cause fractures or injure the owner, so clear objects from around it and watch that it does not hit anything. Once it stops, cover the head, place it in a dark, quiet box at a suitable temperature, wipe the beak and nostrils to clear the airway, and call a clinic that treats raptors for immediate transport. A finger in the mouth gets bitten, and pulling the tongue is not how a bird's airway is cleared. Spraying water lowers body temperature and the stimulation can trigger another seizure. Possible causes include metabolic bone disease, poisoning, infection and head trauma, and a vet's diagnosis is needed.

IssuesThere was no idea of the cause of the seizure, and daily records (diet, weight, environmental changes) were insufficient to give the vet useful information. No emergency procedure had been prepared.

ImprovementRecord diet, weight, pellets, droppings and environmental changes daily so you can inform the vet in an emergency. Share the seizure rule with the family: do not restrain, keep dark and warm, see a vet immediately. Prepare a transport box and the clinic contact.

A 2-year-old tawny owl hit a window, fell to the floor and stopped moving. When picked up its neck is limp and the chest barely seems to rise and fall. The body is still warm. The owner is in a panic; your regular vet is 15 minutes away by car. It is 8 p.m. and the clinic answers the phone.

What is the appropriate response?

1. Do 10 minutes of firm chest compressions and rescue breathing before heading to the clinic
2. Place a hand beside the keel to check heartbeat and breathing, wipe the beak and nostrils to clear the airway, keep it dark and warm, and transport immediately while phoning the clinic
3. Splash cold water on it as a stimulus and wait for a response
4. Decide it is dead since it is not moving, put it in a box and leave it until morning

AnswerB. Place a hand beside the keel to check heartbeat and breathing, wipe the beak and nostrils to clear the airway, keep it dark and warm, and transport immediately while phoning the clinic

ExplanationAfter loss of consciousness from a collision, first place a hand beside the keel to check for a rapid beat and whether the chest rises and falls. Do not perform chest compressions on a bird, as they damage the keel and organs; wipe the beak and nostrils to clear the airway, place it in a dark, warm box, and transport immediately while phoning the clinic. It may only be temporarily unresponsive from concussion, so while the body is warm, prioritize transport. Spending 10 minutes on compressions delays transport and injures the body. Cold water drains body heat and the stimulation makes things worse. Deciding on your own that it is dead and leaving it misses a recoverable condition.

IssuesNo markers were placed on the window before indoor flight, so the collision was not prevented. The owner did not know that resuscitation in birds differs from humans and mammals and that chest compressions are contraindicated.

ImprovementPut markers on windows and mirrors and close the curtains before indoor flight. Remember bird resuscitation as: check heartbeat, breathing and consciousness, clear the airway, keep dark and warm, transport immediately; no chest compressions. Save the clinic's phone number and keep a transport box ready.

A 3-year-old Harris's hawk with a suspected wing fracture is being transported to the clinic. It was put in a large dog carrier, but every time the car jolts the bird flaps and hits the walls, moving the wing further. Light comes in through the windows and the bird is agitated. The air conditioning is on high and blowing directly on the bird.

What is the appropriate response?

1. Take the bird out of the carrier and hold it on your lap to calm it
2. Move it to a smaller box the wings cannot open in, cover with a cloth to darken, line with a non-slip mat, keep the cold air off it, and drive gently
3. Speed up to arrive sooner and put the carrier by the passenger-side window
4. Put food in the carrier to distract it

AnswerB. Move it to a smaller box the wings cannot open in, cover with a cloth to darken, line with a non-slip mat, keep the cold air off it, and drive gently

ExplanationThe basics of transport are a box or carrier too small for the wings to open, a non-slip lining, darkening with a hood or cloth, driving quietly without jolting, and no direct heating or cooling. A large carrier gives room to flap and moves the broken wing, making it worse. Darkness calms raptors. Holding it on your lap risks a panicked escape and talon injuries to the driver, causing an accident. Speeding increases jolting, and a window position agitates the bird with light and temperature changes. Food during a fracture burdens digestion, an agitated bird will not eat, and it interferes with procedures that need anesthesia.

IssuesThe owner did not know how to transport a raptor (small box, darkness, no direct drafts) and used a large dog carrier as it was. Emergency transport had not been prepared in advance.

ImprovementKeep a transport box too small for the wings to open and a cloth to cover it, with a non-slip mat inside. Keep the car quiet, avoid direct drafts from heating or cooling, and secure the carrier to reduce jolting. Go over the emergency transport procedure with the family.

At 10 p.m., a 7-year-old Eurasian eagle-owl left its entire evening meal. A pellet was produced this morning, breathing is normal and it is standing firmly on its perch. However, this morning's weighing showed a 4% drop from the day before. Its eyes are open and it is responsive. The emergency (after-hours) animal hospital is an hour away by car.

What is the most appropriate decision in this situation?

1. Breathing and posture are normal, so keep it dark, quiet and warm, weigh it next morning, and see a vet that day if poor appetite continues, weight is down 5%, or pellets are abnormal
2. Loss of appetite is serious, so set off for the hour-long drive to the emergency hospital right now
3. Not eating is a matter of preference, so offer different food repeatedly during the night
4. It can fast for a few days without harm, so watch until the weekend

AnswerA. Breathing and posture are normal, so keep it dark, quiet and warm, weigh it next morning, and see a vet that day if poor appetite continues, weight is down 5%, or pellets are abnormal

ExplanationUnder the vet-visit criteria, open-mouth breathing, a drooping wing, bleeding, seizures and unresponsiveness mean an immediate visit, while reduced appetite, weight loss of 5% or more and no pellet for 2 days mean a same-day visit. This bird has normal breathing and posture, is responsive, and the weight drop is 4% with no emergency signs. Rather than the stress of an hour-long night transport, keep it dark, quiet and warm, check weight, pellets and droppings in the morning, and see a vet that day if poor appetite continues or weight is down 5%. Offering food repeatedly at night disturbs sleep and causes indigestion. Raptors have a fast metabolism and weaken rapidly after a few days without food, so waiting until the weekend is dangerous.

IssuesThe owner had not memorized the criteria for judging urgency and hesitated at night. Small daytime changes in appetite and behavior were not recorded, so weight was the only basis for a decision.

ImprovementWrite the immediate and same-day vet-visit criteria on a note and post it on the cage. In addition to daily morning weighing, record appetite, pellets, droppings and behavior so changes are tracked numerically. Check the location of the emergency hospital and whether it takes phone consultations in advance, and call when in doubt.