Get some groceries at Kimberton Whole Foods

For the month of May, Kimberton Whole Foods will match any donations made at the register. We are so very grateful for this opportunity and appreciate our many valued supporters. Thank you!

Scoter Convalescence

This is a seafaring, diving bird. We think it was blown off course, having to land on - well, land. This bird is so adapted to swimming and diving, that it can no longer properly walk. Its legs are so far to the rear, it tips forward on dry earth. So, if it finds itself on land, it is grounded because it cannot take off. We gave this bird a full examination and observed it over a couple of days while it feasted on seafood. A volunteer took the bird back to a place scoters are commonly sighted.

The year of the rabbit

Happy new year. Our first patient of 2023 was an eastern cottontail. So, here at Philadelphia Metro Wildlife Clinic, it is the year of the rabbit. What this year has in store for us is anyone’s guess. But, whatever may come, we will be here every day (rain or shine) to answer your calls and admit new patients.

A happy, healthy and meaningful year to one and all.

Check out our winter newsletter

Patient 0081 European Starling

We recently admitted this European Starling which was caught on a glue mouse trap covered in oil. In an effort to extract the bird, our well-intentioned neighbor doused it in oil.

If you find a hurt animal caught in or on a trap, please do not try to remove it yourself. Bring the animal, together with the trap, to us for treatment. If it is a sticky trap, apply paper to the exposed parts so the animal does not get further ensnared. At the center, we will use special solvents to carefully, and painlessly, extract the animal.

We carefully removed this starling from the trap. We then gave patient 0081 a series of baths to remove the oil saturating its feathers.

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Yes, we do admit and treat European Starlings, a “non-native” species. We think starlings deserve our care and consideration, too. Through no fault of their own, they were introduced into this environment by humans. They are here to stay. We have no illusions about controlling their population - the birds we treat and release won’t alter their numbers appreciably, anyhow. Our mission is the patient on the table. We will do whatever we can to reduce its suffering.

Plus, these birds are pretty cool. You may have heard their interesting and varied vocalizations, or you may have seen their spectacular displays. We at Metro Wildlife admire and appreciate them.

Chukar

This non-native species, introduced from Eurasia, is home in high desert plains, not downtown Philadelphia. However, that’s exactly where this Chukar was found. They are present because people breed Chukars for hunting and eating. We are searching for a sanctuary that will accept this lovely bird. Please contact us if you know of any sanctuaries with Chukars. This guy needs friends.

Patient 0061 Gray Squirrel

This squirrel was admitted with a large abscess on its jaw. We drained the fluid, then administered antibiotics and pain medication. Patient 0061 is now on the road to recovery and release.

Patient 0022 Northern Flicker

This is a Northern Flicker, one of the woodpecker species native to Pennsylvania. A neighbor found it in her backyard after it struck a window. Notice the yellow shafts on the feathers.