Editor’s Note: The Tricolored Heron is part of the CROW CAW (Case A Week) series, which tells the stories of the patients at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, the dangers they face, and how we can help protect all of our wildlife. Read previous cases here.
The tricolored heron is a beautiful, unique bird found in coastal wetlands, marshes, and mangroves. With a white belly, blue, lavender and greyish feathers and a slender neck adorned with a chestnut stripe, this medium-sized heron is crucial in Florida’s ecosystems. Tricolored herons wade through coastal waters searching for small fish. They are often found running, darting, and stopping with quick turns like a ballerina. Sometimes this species follows other wading birds, like the double-crested cormorant, and strikes at the fish they stir up.
Due to tricolored herons living in areas with fish, it is common for the species to tangle with fishing lines. Patient 4715 was brought to CROW after being found entangled in a monofilament fishing line hanging from mangrove trees. When our hospital received the heron, it was thin, cold, wet, and dehydrated. The patient was in pain and lost a lot of blood. The fishing line was wrapped around their right wing.
Staff and students began immediate treatment, giving the patient fluids and pain medications. The heron was put under anesthesia so our staff could remove the fishing line without causing excessive stress. The clinic will continue to care for the patient while their wounds heal. Once the patient is recovered, our staff will consider flight testing to make sure it’s recovered enough for release.
If possible, it’s important to bring wildlife tangled in fishing line to CROW. If left untreated, fishing line injuries can lead to severe infections, permanent damage, or even death. Wildlife face many threats from human activity. Discarded fishing gear is a common but preventable danger. Proper disposal of fishing lines and other waste can save countless lives. Check out our website at https://crowclinic.org/wildlife-hospital/preventative-programs/ to learn more about how to “Mind Your Line.
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