Blizzard was in a sociable mood at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington on Wednesday, July 20. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

spreading its wings

VIDEO: Prized white raven on public display at Errington wildlife refuge

Jul 21, 2022 | 5:29 AM

NANAIMO — A little more than a year after being found in dire condition, an extremely rare white raven is now flourishing in front of visitors at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (NIWRC).

Blizzard was quietly placed in a custom-made enclosure at the Leffler Rd. facility west of Parksville earlier in July to help it adjust to its new living quarters.

NIWRC animal care technician Derek Downes told NanaimoNewsNOW during a Wednesday, July 20 site visit the once timid Blizzard has embraced interacting with the public.

“With certain people he will really take a liking to and mimic back and forth — bring and show his toys off, take them from the back and bring them to the front.”

Downes said Blizzard’s transition to public display exceeded his expectations and will serve as an important tool in educating people about what’s known as the Oceanside Sacred White Raven.

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The leucistic bird seemingly unique to the Parksville-Qualicum Beach area was in a communicative mood, mimicking “hello” to Downes and occasionally bounced around its pen.

Blizzard’s new home is a long enclosure, which is only open on one side. The heavily shaded pen protects the light sensitive bird from harmful UV rays.

“Blizzard can come up to the front and then he can also have a long retreat to the back if he’s not feeling comfortable being up on display,” Downes said.

It’s unclear if Blizzard will remain in its current enclosure over the cold winter months.

Blizzard’s condition improved drastically at NIWRC in the fall and winter following early setbacks to treatment.

This past May, a second white raven now known as Buddy was found in the Errington area and brought into NIWRC care.

Downes said Buddy, who’s believed to be related to Blizzard, continues thriving but isn’t ready to be showcased to the public.

Both birds are burdened by numerous physical deficits and will be lifelong NIWRC residents.

There aren’t any confirmed cases of white ravens surviving a single winter on their own in the Oceanside region.

Downes said now is the perfect time to visit their facility.

“It’s a place where you can come and maybe forget about the price of groceries and just kind of enjoy a peaceful environment and get to see a really, really special bird.”

NIWRC is a non-profit operation open daily for a fee between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The facility is home to about 30 permanent residents, primarily involving various types of eagles, ravens and owls who can’t survive on their own.

Information on donating to or volunteering at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre can be found can be found on their website.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes