This is a Herring Gull, who was admitted into New England Wildlife Center’s hospital over the weekend. Initially he was found in a very precarious position, impaled by a lightning rod and found on someone’s roof. He was retrieved by a good samaritan and stabilized by Danver’s animal Hospital before being transported and released into our veterinarian’s care. Our preliminary examination found the puncture wound on the distal portion of the Gull’s left wing. We took X-rays in order to rule out any fractures or additional unseen soft tissue trauma. He will receive a regiment of antibiotics and painkillers, as well as wound care treatments and physical exercise daily. He is already looking much better, and is responding well to treatment. We expect him to make a complete recovery and will be released after his wounds fully heal.
The Herring Gull is one of four species of gull found in Massachusetts. Visually they are the quintessential gray-and-white, pink-legged “seagulls” you are used to seeing at the beach. They are bulk and broad as compared to their smaller cousin the Ring-billed Gull. Herring gulls prefer drinking Freshwater, but do have the ability to drink seawater. They have a special gland above their eye, known as the Supraorbital gland, which is responsible for filtering out the excess salt from the water they drink. Without this ability they’d quickly become dehydrated and unable to maintain a normal pattern of life. That is a cool ability!