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Cranes 383

Heatstroke
Heatstroke can occur in cranes, particularly on hot summer days. This can be prevented with a few
simple measures. Provide a shelter or shaded area in the compound. Only emergency handling
should be done on hot days. If handling cannot be avoided, do it in the cooler early morning hours.
Provide an adequate water supply. Be certain the crane can drink from the water container. The
long beak requires a deep dish or pail. Cranes cannot drink from a shallow dish.
Heatstroke is demonstrated with gasping, panting, rapid breathing, staggering, and wings held
away from the body of the crane or drooping. If the body temperature remains elevated, death may
result. If heatstroke is suspected, cool the bird immediately by placing its body or parts of its body
in cool water. Cold packs may be placed under the wings to facilitate more rapid cooling. For birds
that are conscious, alert, and capable, a swimming pool may be used to allow the bird to cool itself.

Injuries­to Bones­and Beaks
This section covers only injuries that can result in the full recovery and wild release of a crane.
Many orthopedic procedures have been developed that work well for captive cranes, including leg
prosthesis. Information for these procedures is available in many excellent textbooks, many of
which are listed in this chapter’s reference section. One of the best resources on avian medicine
which includes wild species is Altman et al. (1997). Serious (e.g. open, comminuted, or close to a
joint) fractures should be evaluated and repaired by your avian veterinarian. Management of
orthopedic injuries in wild birds, utilizing various technologic levels from simple wraps and splints
to surgical repair, are covered in Duerr (2017).
Cranes often present to rehabilitation facilities with damage to the beak. Beak injury can be
caused by a collision with an object or defensive maneuvers by the crane itself. In most cases, a
broken tip of the beak needs little intervention unless it is bleeding or interferes with the ability of
the bird to eat or drink. Some filing of the broken area, either with a hand file or Dremel tool, is
recommended to create a smooth surface.
Serious fractures of the beak can be repaired with self-curing dental acrylics reinforced with
Kirshner wires. Most healing takes place in 4–6 weeks with the wires being removed at that time.
In young cranes, the splint must be changed frequently to accommodate the growth of the beak.
Broken wings can be successfully repaired by a variety of methods. Bandaging, splinting, and
surgical repair are all valid methods of response to a wing fracture. Which technique is used will
depend on the age of the patient, how recent the fracture is, which bone is fractured, and whether
the fracture is a closed or open fracture; see Duerr (2017).
Broken legs, although difficult to repair, can be attempted with the use of a sling to hold the body
in a natural upright position. Due to the weight-bearing exercise need of young cranes during their
accelerated growth period, this method is generally reserved only for adults or juveniles that have
achieve full height. If a sling is used, the caregiver must be certain it is stable, and the vent area is
uncovered and allows the bird to defecate.

Angel­Wing
A diet too rich in protein, carbohydrates, and sulfur-containing amino acids can cause deformities
of the wings and legs. An excess of calories and carbohydrates can cause the primaries in a colt
to grow too fast, compromising the muscles and support tissue of the wing. This condition is
commonly known as angel wing or airplane wing. The name comes from the visual effect of the