Sylvia and Friends

WILD, DAMAGED CROWS: SYLVIA, ROSHI, and DYLAN Click on thumbnails for larger images
	November 8 2003 - The first couple months after her expensive operation to mend her badly broken wing, I continued to keep Sylvia in the house, free, out of her cage. She slept on a perch up high in the living room. Each morning she's woke us wanting food. Each time I called her name she's answer with long, loud crowing sounds. She flew around the house by mainly kept in the living room. I used paper under her perch to catch her droppings. Learned that the hard way.
	November 8 2003 - On warm late autumn days I took Sylvia out into a large field where she was free to walk around. She could not fly more than a couple feet high so there was little chance she would injure herself. I also took her out into a 4 ft x 3 ft cage while I built her much larger cage below.
	Halloween Day, 2003- I had no idea how to build a cage. This took a couple months and lasted through much of the winter. Six posts, 12 ft high, 3 ft deep into cement, number 8 cage wire-netting. What a trip! But it was so much worth it all. Now the days are warm and Sylvia seems happy and healthier. But she can only fly short distances inside her cage. And she seems a bit lonely.
	A few years ago - Fran had raised Roshi and Dylan for seven years. Young Roshi's feet were badly deformed when Fran rescued him, and Dylan would have died if not for the tender lover Fran gave both crows, who lived in her basement. Because of an illness, Fran could not take care of the two crows and found us through friends.
	May 2004 - Sylvia now has two new friends, Dylan pictured with her here, with Dylan on the right, and Roshi below. Now all three birds who could not possibly survive on her own, can spend the rest of their lives in relative comfort.
	May 2004 - Roshi's legs and claws were badly deformed when very young, before Fran rescued him. He could barely sit on a limb. But now he can fly at least around the cage and do his best to sit on the wooden perches through the cage.
	June 2004 They all get along quite well. I feed them twice a day. There is running water in the cage, and when the heat of summer arrives, they have an automatic water mister which mists part of the cage for a couple minutes duration twice a day during the heat of the day. They would not survive in the wild, but here, in their safe cage, they can live out their lives in comfort, and love.
Our crows are all in need of attention and love. Especially Dylan. I pet Dylan daily as he seems to need it, and, frankly, so do I. Fran still visits Dylan and Roshi at least once every two weeks, even though it's quite difficult for Fran to get around. When they see Fran approaching, even from a distance, especially Roshi becomes extremely happy and excited, flying to her lap, sitting their to be comforted, touched, and loved. When Fran leaves, you can hear Roshi begging for her to return. There's lots of love in these little animals. It should be pointed out that crows are wild and should not be indiscriminately placed in cages or even removed from the wild unless absolutely necessary, and even then it is questionable. Freedom is the best place for them to exist, if at all possible. I've done all I can. Our hopes were to see Sylvia or Dylan or Roshi fly away into the sunset, return to the wild. But that won't happen. In our case it was quite obvious that these birds could not have survived on their own. I contacted the Audubon Society. They were not interested. The person I spoke to was rather distant and cold. I understand they hear these sort of stories all the time but why be so cold and indifferent, especially when I indicated I'd pay any bill?; I were told that they would not be able to repair Sylvia's wing, that most likely they'd have to destroy her. After bonding with Sylvia there was just no way I could be part of such an insensitive decision. So, I took her to a private vet who charged three times what he had promised, but in the end, it was worth it. Except for their inability to fend for themselves and fly away, all three crows are healthy and happy, bothering no one. They bring lots of love to our family. Considering the alternatives, they have a good life. If you come across a damaged crow, you should first contact your vet. Keeping and caring for a crow is a major decision and one you should contemplate for a good while. I created this updated page in response to several letters asking more about Sylvia. The following best represents them: > I'm curious if the person who was trying to rehabilitate the crow has > a follow-up story? Was the bird released, or has it been at least provided > extra company? Our local newspaper often runs articles about > Fish and Game and how they confisgate native species that are > under the care of individuals (our local Bird Rescue Center facilitates > the demise of these injured animal/avial individuals), and destroys > them due to their inability to be released in the wild. I hope > eventually to see some minor changes in this law, where individuals, > if working within some pretty humane and specific guidelines, > can provide sanctuary for "non-releasables." I'm especially in > love with crows, jays, and ravens, and was moved by your article. > Has there been a chapter 2 to this story?
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