Sick blue heron

[Duck_life]

Their has been this blue heron coming to my place for the past 5 years, I have a creek here he enjoys. He has always traveled for the winter, and only comes for the summer, but this time he came today... He looked freezing, sick, and in horrible shape. Might I mention it's also 15 degrees F here? He's never done this and I'm afraid he's going to drop dead somewhere.

I found him standing in the creek, all huddled up and disgusting looking, his eyes were watery and he just looked sick. I went back to get some food and when I came back he was stuck in a thorn bush, got him out, and he flew out (More like dragging himself) somewhere, I can't find him and I'd like to know if he will come back? I'll ;eave food out for him away from my chickens, just in case he is sick. Any suggestions on what to do? Nearest game commission is 2 hours away and rehabilitation are much farther, I'm just worried and seriously don't want to watch him die (He isn't TO old, I'd guess around 6-7) Also, I feel I'd need to know because a lot of my neighbors have chickens and he can drop dead anywhere without us knowing, so I want to find him, and make sure he stays far from the chickens.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

What is ailing this bird isn't necessarily something chickens can catch.
What did you put out for food?
Fish and Wildlife, Department of Conservation or whatever you call it in Pennsylvania probably won't care how far away you are. The same may be true for rescue groups.
They usually travel as needed.
Since it is a migrating fowl, the US Fish and Wildlife may be interested in the story in addition to the state game people.

 

[Duck_life]

What is ailing this bird isn't necessarily something chickens can catch.
What did you put out for food?
Fish and Wildlife, Department of Conservation or whatever you call it in Pennsylvania probably won't care how far away you are. The same may be true for rescue groups.
They usually travel as needed.
Since it is a migrating fowl, the US Fish and Wildlife may be interested in the story in addition to the state game people.

Thanks. I will call and see what they can do. Just some bread and corn, I don't have anything here the dang bird eats, all the fish are gone.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Thanks. I will call and see what they can do. Just some bread and corn, I don't have anything here the dang bird eats, all the fish are gone.

It is worth a try to call.
If this is a great blue heron, they don't eat bread or corn. While the diet is primarily small fish they will eat lots of other animal protein sources. That could be crustaceans, insects, reptiles, amphibians, rodents and other mammals and even other birds.
A can of sardines may be something to put out there.
We always have cans of sardines, anchovies, clams, mackerel and herring in the pantry. All for me, not herrings but any would work as would mealworms.

 

[Duck_life]

It is worth a try to call.
If this is a great blue heron, they don't eat bread or corn. While the diet is primarily small fish they will eat lots of other animal protein sources. That could be crustaceans, insects, reptiles, amphibians, rodents and other mammals and even other birds.
A can of sardines may be something to put out there.
We always have cans of sardines, anchovies, clams, mackerel and herring in the pantry. All for me, not herrings but any would work as would mealworms.

Thanks for that! My dad eats sardine so I'll just use some of that. The place said they couldn't drive that far this dark. Hopefully they can swing by tomorrow if he's still around.