Seeing birds wandering through city streets is fairly common, but one Good Samaritan knew something was amiss when he spotted a small creature with wings struggling in Hewlett Harbor, New York.
The bird, resembling a duck, was having a difficult time on the opposite side of the road, prompting him to take action. Luckily, a security officer happened to be nearby, and the kind-hearted individual immediately sought assistance.
The officer found it odd that the animal was motionless, but he assumed it might be a duckling. To be safe, he covered it with a cardboard box and contacted a nearby wildlife rescuer.
Both the Good Samaritan and the officer were in for a surprise.
It Wasn’t A Duckling…
When Karenlynn Stracher, a well-known wildlife rehabilitator, arrived at the scene, she was puzzled by the officer’s report.
“When the officer initially found me, he stated he had discovered an injured duckling,” Stracher recounted to The Dodo. “I mentioned it would be quite unusual for a duckling to be around this time of year.”
However, she decided not to jump to conclusions before seeing the creature herself. When she finally took a look inside the box, she was in for a surprise.
Indeed, Karenlynn was correct. It wasn’t a duckling; it was a pied-billed grebe. She noted that it was quite uncommon to encounter a grebe in this part of the country.
“They’re not frequently seen in this area. They’re more typical on the West Coast,” Stracher explained to the officer in a video recorded at the location. “However, they occasionally make their way here.”
Regardless, Karenlynn safely placed the grebe in a carrier, ensuring it was now in a secure environment.
@wildliferehab_kl https://linktr.ee/cookiekl #wildlife #wildliferehab #wildliferescue #everylifematters #piedbilledgrebe #grebe #strandedgrebe #groundedgrebe #greberescue #birdrescue ♬ original sound – KL the Wildlife Rehabilitator
The Poor Thing Had A Specific Problem
While Karenlynn was aware that grebes could occasionally be found in this region, the question remained as to why this one was not in its natural aquatic habitat.
These birds typically thrive in sluggish rivers, freshwater marshes, lakes, and estuaries, yet this pied-billed grebe was discovered away from such environments.
This prompted Starcher to take the bird home for further examination. She was relieved to discover that the bird exhibited no apparent signs of injury. Moreover, despite being in an unfamiliar setting, the grebe appeared calm.
“It was evident she was anxious, yet she wasn’t panicking or struggling,” noted Stracher.
However, there was one more potential issue that this little bird might be facing. To investigate, Karenlynn filled a bathtub with water and placed the grebe in it.
Unfortunately, it turned out to be just as Stracher feared, a conclusion she confirmed in a video on her TikTok profile, which showcased the test.
“It’s evident that her feathers are getting wet,” Stracher remarked in the video, adding, “Her waterproofing isn’t as it should be.”
As pied-billed grebes largely depend on water for their survival, proper waterproofing is critical. This particular bird likely failed to waterproof due to parasites, lack of nutrients, gland issues, stress, or another common factor.
Being an experienced wildlife rehabilitator, Karenlynn Stracher was well-versed in the potential outcomes of such a scenario, which is why she immediately recognized the necessary next steps.
Soon, She Will Be Where She Belongs
Sadly, resolving this issue exceeded Stracher’s abilities. However, she had valuable contacts within her field, leading her to the skilled experts at Sweetbriar Nature Center.
She transported the petite pied-billed grebe there, where specialists would work to diagnose the underlying cause of her waterproofing issue. Once addressed and restored to health, she will be reintroduced to her natural habitat.
“We anticipate that she will be fully releasable by spring,” Stracher stated.
Ultimately, despite the challenges this little bird faced while separated from her home, the right people were in the right place, so this story is poised for a hopeful conclusion.
