Birds

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Rescue of a Eurasian sparrowhawk

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January 2024—Early in January, we were informed by the local veterinarian Dr. Dimitrios Simos about an injured bird in a field in Chora. Dr. Simos brought the bird to our Center where it received first aid. The next day it was sent to the Alkyoni – Aegean Wildlife Hospital in Paros.

The bird is a Eurasian sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus (for more info visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_sparrowhawk). Its injury was one of the worst fractures we have seen on a bird's wing. Luckily the fracture is in a ‘good spot’ and luckily our partners at Alkyoni have a lot of experience and do an exceptional job, so we hope that it will be free to fly the skies. However if that isn’t possible, he will remain with other disabled birds at Alkyoni's facilities in Paros. 

Alkyoni – Aegean Wildlife Hospital is doing amazing work for wild birds in Greece and we thank them very much for that. If you want to learn more and would like to consider supporting them, visit https://alkioni.org/

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Rescue of a common cuckoo

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A few weeks ago, we received a call from Kato M. regarding an injured cuckoo (Cuculus canorus canorus) which was taken from the claws of a cat.

The next day the bird was brought to our Center. As it was the first time we received an injured cuckoo we immediately contacted our partners from Alkioni Aegean Wildlife Hospital in Paros to ask for guidance.

Unfortunately, cat bites can often be fatal for birds as they carry germs that are difficult for birds to fight off. So we started immediately taking care of the wound in his neck in fear that he might not make it. But he turned out to be a fighter and did great.

He was only missing a few feathers from one wing which will grow back in time. But these birds don't eat well in captivity so we were eager to release him. We also wanted to see him off before the cold weather starts as at this time of year they are migrating south.

So an attempt was made a few days later … and the attempt was a success! The cuckoo flew off, once again proving that he is a fighter!!

Marios Fournaris from Alkioni Aegean Wildlife Hospital, we thank you so much for your invaluable advice, for always being available when we need you, and for having the patience to pass on your knowledge to us. The Alkioni Aegean Wildlife Hospital does amazing work with the wild birds in Greece.

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Baby Sparrow

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July 2021—Three weeks ago at the square of Katapola a baby sparrow was found by some children. The chick was skin and bones and where he was, was an easy target for cats. Τhe children didn't know where his nest was in order to put him back so they brought him to our Center.

At this age, chicks need feeding every 1-2 hours so he became attached to our coordinator Litsa so she could feed him whenever he needed to. Now, three weeks after his rescue, Babis as we call him has grown up and is healthy and strong. He will soon be ready to return to nature, thanks to the children who rescued him!

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Rescue of a sparrow chick

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June 2021—Our coordinator Litsa was heading to throw out the garbage when she spotted a cat with something in her mouth. She could not see the bird’s head as it was in the cat’s mouth, just 2 legs and wings.

She was in a dilemma. To let nature be or to intervene? It did not take much thought. The cat is well fed and cared for by a nearby family and could eat whenever she wanted. The bird however would lose its life which as Litsa soon found out had only just begun.

So Litsa opened the cat's mouth and took the little one who tried to fly, but as it could not get very high it was still at risk of being picked up by another cat. So Litsa picked the chick up (feeling its heart pounding like it was playing the drums) and examined it. There was some bleeding from his mouth but other than that there were no other injuries.

The bird drank some water and managed to calm down in a quiet, safe place. Litsa also gave him a meal and a little more water. Soon he had clearly recovered his strength and it was time to return to nature where he belongs. When he was brought out in the sun he was ready to go and flew off well.

We hope you can do it, little one. And please stay away from cats.

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Rescue of a Grey Heron

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June 2021—A few weeks ago we were told that there was a big bird on the beach who was unable to fly. Our program coordinator Litsa went to investigate where she found a grey heron (Ardea cinarea) making every attempt to fly.

The bird was clearly exhausted from flying during migration season, completely skin and bones. He was given first aid immediately and the next morning he was sent to the Alkioni - Aegean Wildlife Hospital on the island of Paros, where they specialize in the care of wild birds.

The bird was given a poor prognosis as it was in a very bad shape, so much so that a feeding tube to the stomach had to be inserted. Yet the bird proved to be a fighter and managed to fully recover.

A few days ago the Alkioni - Aegean Wildlife Hospital together with the Special High School of Paros released the bird back to its natural environment. We were thrilled to see him fly off in good health.

The Alkioni - Aegean Wildlife Hospital does amazing work protecting and caring for wild birds. Τhey are always willing to help us with advice and for this reason, we are grateful and appreciate their work.

https://www.facebook.com/282833361820028/photos/a.284314225005275/3605366772899987

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Rescue of an Injured Buzzard

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In August 2020, we received a telephone call from a local resident who had found an injured bird in a remote area of Amorgos. The bird, a common buzzard of the species Buteo buteo, had a serious fracture on its left wing.

The injury seemed to be an old one because it was just skin and bones due to its inability to hunt. And because we are not equipped to care for wild birds we contacted the Aegean Wildlife Hospital, ALKIONI, and sent the injured bird on the first boat leaving Amorgos to Paros, where they are located.

The bird has done well under the care of the amazing Marios Fournaris and we believe that it will soon be released back into nature. There is only a small deformity of the wing due to the fracture but the specialists at the hospital believe it will survive and thrive in the wild.

We want to thank the Aegean Wildlife Hospital, ALKIONI, for its excellent cooperation with AZI and we congratulate them for the great work they do.

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Baby Hawk Rescue

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Early this summer, June 2020, a baby hawk (of the species Falco tinnunculus) was found by tourists visiting the monastery of Chozoviotissa. The baby hawk had fallen from its nest and could not be returned to the high rocks where the nest had been built.

Since there was a danger from prowling feral cats these kind tourists brought the baby hawk to us at our Center. This is not our area of expertise so we contacted the Aegean Wildlife Hospital ALKIONI in Paros. This baby bird was sent to them on the first boat leaving Amorgos for Paros.

After a few months, the baby hawk has grown up under the care of the amazing Marios Fournaris and it was recently released back into nature. We want to thank the Aegean Wildlife Hospital, ALKIONI, for its excellent cooperation with AZI and we congratulate them for the great work they do.

 Here is a small video of the chick when he was in AZI's care:

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A Seagull Rescue

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Several days ago, we were contacted by two tourists who were swimming in the remote beach of Campi and who had discovered a seagull with a broken wing. Because they were not able to capture the frightened bird, we called Alkoni, the Aegean Wildlife Hospital in Paros and asked for their advice. Unfortunately, by that time, the bird had disappeared from the beach of Campi.

Days later the bird was finally captured by two men swimming at the Agia Anna beach. We were able to send the bird to Alkioni in Paros but unfortunately the news is not good. Miguel, as we now call him, must remain at the hospital along with fifty-two seagulls that also are unable to fly.

If Miguel is able to come back to Amorgos, one of our restaurants that is close to the sea must agree to feed this broken-winged bird and keep him close to the water that he loves so much.

Our appeal is that someone will adopt Miguel and even, perhaps, a few more of the birds who live at the Aegean Wildlife Hospital. It is great work that they do and they need help in this beautiful project that brings wounded and disabled birds back into their natural habitat. 

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Sparrow Rescue

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Rescue of the Day

The schoolchildren of the Primary School of Katapola found a small sparrow that could not yet fly and realized it needed some help. They went to their teachers and let them know. 

We were called in to attend to the bird. While there we took the opportunity to say a few words to the students about how one cares for such a small bird. 

We returned to our Center with the bird to look after it, promising the students that we will keep them informed of the health of the little sparrow, with hopes that it would eventually be released. 

A GREAT BRAVO to the teachers and one BIGGEST BRAVO to the students. Today's lesson came to all of us from them.

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Ducklings of Amorgos

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The colony of ducks in Amorgos continue to reproduce during the cold of our winters, and, today, six small ducklings were discovered huddled together against the strong winds that beat against our island. Unfortunately these ducklings were in very bad shape by the time that we found them and we were only able to save four of the six Those four are now with us in our Center and are enjoying the warmth of our glowing stove while they grow stronger day by day.

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A Rescue of Ducklings

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At nine o’clock on Saturday morning my mobile phone rang and I was told of a newborn duckling in trouble on the beach. Immediately I found the duckling and began a search for the rest of her family but to no avail.

I brought the duckling back to our center to nest with the twenty-seven ducklings that we are already caring for and the baby ate well, drank water and recovered her strength quickly.

Later that day I received a call saying that a mother duck with nine ducklings had been spotted on the same spot where our lone duckling had been found. It seemed best to bring the family back to our center. We now have a total of thirty-seven ducklings in our garden and we know that there will surely be more because there are so many cats that roam our beaches, as well as so many seagulls that swoop down on the tiny newborns.

Over the years the ducks of Amorgos beach have been fed by locals and the adults do well but the babies are easy prey for predators. This is why we bring them back our garden, where they are safe and fed and given water until they are large enough to protect themselves. At that point we release them back into the colony.

We need your support and we ask for your donation. Even one euro is valuable to us and to the animals in our care. We are grateful to have so many online friends! Thank you for joining us to care for the animals of the island of Amorgos.

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Rescue of a Common Buzzard

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In February, a common buzzard was rescued from a hencoop in Ormos on Aegiali. The bird remained with us for ten days, at which point it was examined by Dr. Vassalakis and was discovered to have a wing fracture that had not been obvious at the beginning of its stay. We decided to send the bird to the Rescue Center for Wild Birds, “Alkioni,” in Paros, and by March it had come back to Amorgos healthy and strong and ready to return to its natural habitat.
During its stay at “Alkioni,” our own bird was examined and treated along with a second common buzzard that had been rescued and sent to Paros. Both birds were treated successfully and were released back into the area of Aegliali.


We want to thank the local volunteer, Jennie Arvaniti, who rescued and sent our bird to us. We also want to thank another volunteer and member of the local animal welfare society, “Panagiotis Pshogios,” who helped to care for the bird while at the same time sharing with us his extensive knowledge of wild birds. As well, we would like to thank the Aegean Wildlife Hospital, “Alkioni”——who took care of the two birds as well as for their excellent cooperation during these many years. Finally, we would like to thank Dimitris Synodinos (Amorgos Diving Center) who was the rescuer of the second bird and was able to release both of them back into nature.


For more informations about Common Buzzards here:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_buzzard

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An Owl Rescue

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When Litsa, our coordinator on Amorgos, heard about a little owl (Athene noctua) with a broken wing outside the gym in Xylokeratidi, she immediately went to get her. But, due to strong winds, ferry service was suspended so the owl had to stay with Litsa for three days.

When the winds subsided and the boat finally came, the injured owl was sent to the Alkioni Wild Bird Rescue Center in Paros where she will receive medical care, including surgery. We hope that she will be able to fly again, though we're told chances are 50-50. We will find out how she does in three weeks, and we hope for the best!  

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Working Weekend Ahead

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The examination room is ready!


The examination room is ready!

While in New York we are madly preparing for the Annual Argos Fall Benefit, back in Amorgos, Litsa is madly preparing for a weekend of spaying and neutering. She will be working with 4 vets and one vet student to spay/neuter cats from all areas of Amorgos as well as some dogs. Getting the cat population under control is a major step toward achieving a healthy cat community and improved environmental conditions for everyone on the island. We wish Litsa and the vets the very best this weekend!

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Ducks and cats

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Katapola, August 23rd, 2013: A tourist feeds a colony of ducks and cats who live together on the harbor.

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Saving a Hawk on Amorgos

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A beautiful hawk with a broken wing was found by an elderly couple in their garden. They called Dr. Despoti, who was driving around the island with Paola looking for colonies of stray cats. In less than an hour, the hawk was found, treated, and prepared for a journey to Paros, five hours away. Will it survive the journey? Will it be fit to be treated at the Wild Bird Sanctuary? Good news arrives that evening. The hawk survived the overnight crossing. Two days later the news is even better: the hawk can be cured, its wing will heal. After a period of recovery in Paros, it will be returned to Amorgos where it will be released into the wild.