BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 16, 2021
Anybody finding a bird should not attempt to treat the bird themselves. There are all sorts of rules and regulations in regards to handling wild birds. There are many laws that can get you five to 10 years in the slammer, with substantial fines. These are not here to punish people; they are here to protect the birds. The best thing to do is to call Avian Haven. Staff often call volunteers to transport birds to their facility in Freedom. On a January day in 2017, I met Marc Payne, Avian Haven’s co-founder, who asked if I would take the remains of some bald eagles to the Maine DIF&W office. Among them was the body of Bangor Mom, an eagle that had died from lead poisoning. Somewhere, Bangor Mom may live on in a beautiful ceremonial headdress. She also lives on in a lot of people’s hearts and memories, including mine. ~ Richard Spinney