Hedwig was the first injured Snowy Owl to arrive in 2016 at Wild Bird Fund. This center is New York City’s very first animal rehabilitation and education facility. The photographer Mike Fernandez recalls that “she was shot near LaGuardia Airport.” She was likely unable to fly because a bullet had injured her pectoral muscles.
Hedwig posed in a small box of light, while Rita McMahon (founder of Wild Bird Fund) held a lamp outside. He tells me, “I was star-struck.” It felt like I was in a presence of a higher being.
About a decade earlier, the photographer learned about Wild Bird Fund’s vital work for the city wildlife. He had just begun working at Audubon Magazine and began making frequent visits to the Upper West Side Clinic. The staff and volunteers were inspiring, and he learned about the diverse avian species that live in the city and pass through it.
Wild Bird Fund is responsible for the care of 180 species. These include familiar birds like starlings and pigeons, as well as rarer ones like snowy-eyed owls. The fall and spring months are particularly busy as birds migrate along the East Coast flyway. But they work around the clock throughout the year.
Window collisions and light contamination are common causes of bird injuries. Fernandez says that birds become disoriented by the reflections and lights from glass buildings. They are searching for food, but don’t understand what mirrors or windows are. So they strike it.
Super the Northern Flicker was treated at Wild Bird Fund for a fractured coracoid. Eco the American Woodstock also received treatment there for a corneal wound. Both birds survived after being treated at Wild Bird Fund.
Hedwig the snowy-eyed owl was also found near LaGuardia because tarmacs are often similar to familiar Arctic landscapes. Lead poisoning can also be caused by contaminated food or water, collisions with vehicles, household pets, pesticides, or trash.
Wild Bird Fund receives abuse and neglect cases from time to time. Fernandez encountered a cock that was rescued from Brooklyn’s fighting ring during his stay at the clinic. Wild Bird Fund recently rescued a domesticated king pigeon that had been dyed pink and released into Madison Square Park. He died a few days later, likely due to inhaling the dye’s toxins. The team at Wild Bird Fund had named him Flamingo before he died. Every animal that comes for care is given a name.
Rita McMahon explained once in an interview with National Geographic that the birds seem aware that humans and Wild Bird Fund try to help them. Fernandez kept each session between one and two minutes to keep the birds at ease.
Fernandez, who photographed Hedwig, the snowy-eyed owl, knew they would never again cross paths, but he still remembers their time together. He painted the snowy owl flying as part of the Audubon mural project, dedicating it to Hedwig.
Hedwig, who was rescued by Wild Bird Fund and transferred to Raptor Trust of New Jersey for rehabilitation, continued her rehabilitation. She recovered and was released into the beautiful Shawangunk Mountains.
Wild Bird Fund depends on donations and volunteer help to continue its life-saving work. Find out more about volunteering opportunities here and donate here. Fernandez has exhibited many of her portraits of Wild Bird Fund patients in HERE Arts Center. The show is part of i FOUND A BIRD.