Wildlife Medical Clinic Resident Birds of Prey
Meet Pistol, an American Kestrel
Pistol is our resident American Kestrel (Falco sparverius). Pistol was brought to the WMC in the summer of 2002 by a Piatt County Fair Grounds conservation officer when he noticed that Pistol was unable to fly.
Pistol was a juvenile when he presented to the clinic, evidenced by the presence of down feathers on his head. Physical exam and radiographs revealed a fractured humerus, very close to the "elbow" joint of his right wing.
Due to the physical trauma of the fracture, a fragment of the bone had lodged itself into the joint. This damage caused arthritis to develop in the elbow, limiting extension of the wing.
The damage was irreversible and Pistol would never be able to fly again. After some time, the WMC obtained a permit to keep Pistol as a permanent resident where he spends his days as an ambassador of wildlife.
Pistol can be seen when the weather is nice in the WMC's outdoor flight cages located behind the Veterinary Basic Science Building.
Learn how to adopt Pistol