For the birds

This morning on my way to work, driving past the fields & farm equipment finishing up pulling the last of the corn from the field, I noticed a small, upright puff of feathers sitting on the edge of the road. I drove for a minute, but since I had seen it I couldn't very well leave it, so I turned around and stopped by the little bird. There was a truck coming a ways behind me so I had to make it quick. Upon spotting me and my outstretched hand descending towards it, the bird let out a small whistling song and hopped down the ditch dragging it's wing. I followed after and managed to clasp my hand over it's back and turn it slightly so that it was cupped in my palm. The truck was nearly upon me so I leapt into the Goat and threw it into gear, bird still in hand. One hand on the gearshift, the other cradling the bird, driving with my knee. This happens more often than you might think, minus the bird.

After the truck behind me turned the opposite way, I stopped long enough to gently shove the bird into my brand-spanking new wool cap and took the time to note her dainty markings. A yellow chin, black streak across either eye, and little tiny black horns arching up like eyebrows over the eyes. She was about sparrow-sized, mostly gray. Into the hat she went.

I got to work and called the local nature center, but, as I suspected, they only handle raptors - a couple of which I've brought in over the years, and they referred me to where I thought they would, the Brukner Wildlife Rehab Center. I have also brought these good folks several charges over the years. But, Brukner's is about an hour away from where I work. Fortunately, my mom wasn't working until later on and agreed to drive in to pick up the bird and then drive her to the rehab center. She's a good mom.

Co-worker and I were researching bird species on the internet & she found it: a horned lark. And, we deduced she was female by the lack of black cap and promptly dubbed her Sheila. We peeked at her several times and she would puff up her little head which made her horns stand out that much more. Mom came and I carried the shoebox that I had transferred her to out to Mom's car and placed her gently on the front seat while the bird pecked the inside of the box insistently.

The folks at the rehab center were glad to be of help with the little songbird. They said I can call tomorrow to check on her. I hope she's okay! The one sad thing, other than that she's damaged, is that these birds are monogamous. She was probably migrating and got hit - either she didn't have a mate or he had gone on without her or was he anxiously waiting on the wire overhead when I picked her up?

Regardless, I hope the kind people at the rehab center are able to patch her up so that maybe, just maybe, she can meet back up with Mr. Horned Lark at some point.

If you type 'horned lark' into Google Images, you can see what a cute little bird she is!