- Admitted
- April 16, 2026
- Rescue Location
- Surry County
- Cause of Admission/Condition
- Extensive feather burns
- Status
- Former Patient
Last Updated
On April 16, the Wildlife Center admitted an Osprey found grounded in Surry County. The bird had reportedly been seen flying near a power plant smokestack shortly before being discovered and was found with singed feathers. Eastern Virginia Wildlife Rescue contained the Osprey and transported her to the Center for emergency care.
On arrival, the Osprey was alert and responsive. At first glance, her feathers appeared disheveled, with slightly singed tips. A closer examination revealed mild burns on both legs, as well as more extensive feather damage: the long flight feathers on both wings, along with the tail feathers, had been burned along the majority of their length. Radiographs showed no fractures or internal injuries, and aside from mild dehydration and signs of inflammation consistent with her burns, the Osprey’s condition was stable.
Feather damage of this extent would impair flight and require many months for new, healthy feathers to grow in. To address this and help the bird regain flight more quickly, the veterinary team pursued a specialized procedure called imping, in which donor feathers are carefully attached to the bird’s existing feather shafts.
On April 26, the team performed the imping procedure, which took around three hours to complete and included a total of 56 feathers. “This was an unusually intensive imping,” said Dr. Olivia, the Center's Veterinary Research Fellow. “She required imping of all 10 primary feathers on each wing, all 12 tail feathers, and numerous secondary feathers, which made for a long and complex procedure.” Initial observations following the procedure indicate that the new feathers are in place, and the team will continue to monitor how well they hold in the coming days.
The current prognosis for this patient remains poor, as Ospreys are particularly sensitive to stress. Additionally, the extent of her feather damage means that her recovery could be a long and delicate process. “If the imping is successful, her outlook improves significantly. If not, she will need to remain in care for over a year to regrow those feathers naturally, which can be very challenging for a species like this,” said Dr. Olivia.
For now, the veterinary and rehabilitation teams will continue to monitor the Osprey closely and plan to perform a flight test soon.