!!! Kendal’s Diagnosis
July 22, 2013 - Toronto - Don Mills
CPF Postmaster Reports:
July 22nd - 2013
Kendal’s Diagnosis:
Kendal suffers from a fractured left coracoid in addition to his right clavicle having also been fractured. The head trauma and swelling on the left side of his head, trauma to his left eye has since dissipated less than 24 hours after his admission and as of date, is no longer an issue. There is a tiny ulceration on the left eye, which is being treated and no longer a concern at this point.
After more than 17 years dealing with peregrines and having had to deal with hundreds of fractures over this same time frame, we have long since learned that in these cases, the coracoid fracture (especially for a peregrine and peregrine sized and smaller birds), that this is the most serious of his injuries. While far from being life threatening, coracoid fractures are not surgically repairable for small birds.
This particular injury could only be best described as having a permanently dislocated shoulder, one that could prevent full extension of the wing, and a huge loss of muscle strength and wing control.
As you know, peregrines are very unique in their flight set and skills, unlike many of the other birds of prey. Peregrines (and most other large falcons in general) have thick heavy bodies and very small wings in comparison to other raptor’s.
Other Eagles, Hawks, Owls and Accipiter’s have much broader wings, and many of these other birds of prey can both easily fly and stay aloft even in dead air, as their larger wing mass allows much greater lift and sustained flight. Peregrines although, (and other similar type falcons) due in part to their smaller wings and heavy body mass, need allot of assistance from air movement, updrafts and altitude to allow them to do what they do, requiring incredible wing and muscle strength and in particular, wing flexibility and mobility.
While he may be able to fly from perch to perch, (maybe ground to perch), we must remember that the peregrine is the F-16 jet fighter of all birds of prey, one that is a hi-performance open air dependant bird. They hunt from altitude, in the open air from above and behind their prey, utilizing an incredible muscle set and wing make-up to achieve this type of performance, one that not only allows them to both survive, but to be able to out perform the very birds its needs to provide for itself and family.
That being said, the prognosis for this type of wing / shoulder injury does not look promising. At this stage, for Kendal, only time will tell.
Our fingers remained crossed for Kendal.
Stay tuned…………