A young osprey nestling nicknamed Pop faced a challenging recovery when a transformer blew near her nest. Tragically, her sibling succumbed to the resultant damage. Though Pop was gravely injured, she made it through with an electrocution wound and singed feathers. Since the survivor would not naturally grow new adult feathers until next year, Owl Moon volunteers decided to fix her singed tail by imping.
Imping is a centuries-old practice foundational to the art of falconry. Historically, it was used to maintain the flight capabilities of trained birds, ensuring that they remained in peak condition for their essential role in hunting. The technique involves carefully attaching feathers from a deceased donor bird to the injured bird's wing or tail. This is done by aligning the feathers' central shaft with the damaged area using a special adhesive to secure them in place. New feathers eventually grow in to displace the imped feathers. The practice helps the bird fly again and is a crucial method for rehabilitation. Whether feathers are damaged in the wild or while recovering in mews, imping can quickly restore a bird’s flight capabilities facilitating their successful release.
For Pop, imping was a lifeline. The Owl Moon volunteers meticulously fitted her with donor feathers giving her the best chance of recovery and return to the wild. On release day, Pop took to the skies with her wounds healed and tail restored. By blending ancient techniques with modern conservation efforts, we can offer second chances to our feathered friends.
