For the third year in a row, a rare white raven has been located injured on the mid-Island. The unique bird is currently recovering at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. (NIWRC on Facebook)

By Jordan Davidson

rare sighting

Injured white raven found in Qualicum; third rare bird to be treated locally in three years

Mar 1, 2024 | 5:31 AM

ERRINGTON — For the third time in as many years, a rare white raven has come under the care of a mid-Island wildlife refuge centre.

The unnamed leucitic raven was brought to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (NIWRC) in Errington in February after being found in a weak and injured state in the Qualicum Beach area.

Animal care supervisor with NIWRC Derek Downes said this bird was lucky to be found when it was, as it showed signs of a recent animal attack, which they surmised was likely an eagle.

“The actual attack wasn’t seen, but the people that saw it were fairly confident it was attacked by an eagle, and then the wounds that we found on him or her, were fairly consistent with that, but they kind of got away pretty lucky actually.”

Downes said the raven is doing better now thanks to treatment and rounds of anti-biotics, but there are still health concerns.

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He said sightings of these unique birds over the winter are not uncommon, but sadly they haven’t heard of any surviving a full year.

The currently unnamed and ungendered white raven is making progress recovering after being found starving, riddled with infections, and unable to fly, while also suffering wounds from a suspected eagle attack. (NIWRC on Facebook)

Despite their rarity, this is the third white raven in three years to come under NIWRC’s care.

In June of 2021, a baby male white raven named Blizzard was discovered in the Errington area and brought into their care, and has since made a full recovery.

A little over a year later a second white raven known as Buddy, also found in the Errington area, was brought into the centre for treatment.

Blizzard and Buddy will both spend the remainder of their lives at the centre, while Downes said the future of the newly arrived white raven is still unclear.

“Buddy and Blizzard are our two permanent residents and are doing really, really great, and so we’re hoping that this new one, we are able to save this one as well…he’s doing very well, but he’s still kind of in the back area being cared for by the animal care staff.”

Downes told NanaimoNewsNOW he believes the reason for increased sightings of these rare birds is due to a few factors, including enhanced awareness of organizations like NIWRC, who are trained to help wild animals in need.

He said they’ve been aware of the white raven’s existence in the area since the 1990’s, caused by two ravens who carry the melanistic recessive gene which is then passed on to a portion of their offspring.

“But just because we’ve gotten them three years in a row doesn’t really take away from anything from their rarity, especially when you take into consideration the overwhelming numbers of melanistic and black ravens out there.”

The newest white raven had multiple puncture wounds on it’s body, suspected to have been caused by an eagle attack. (NIWRC on Facebook)

NIWRC staff and volunteers rehabilitate hundreds of injured and sick Vancouver Island-based animals every year primarily birds, including ducklings, eagles, ravens, hawks and owls.

About 20 animals unable to fend for themselves in the wild, including black bears, are permanent residents of the refuge just west of Parksville, which has been in operation since 1985.

Information on donating to or volunteering at the NIWRC can be found here.

The facility is open for a fee to view the animals daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow