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Roadrunner that hitched a cross-country ride to Maine returned to Nevada

The bird was returned safely to his old neighborhood.

WESTBROOK, Maine — Watch as the Nevada Department of Wildlife releases the stowaway roadrunner in Nevada in its original neighborhood. It's very quick. Don't blink. 

GRRO 21-3665 – release video! The Greater Roadrunner who stowed away in a moving van headed for Maine earlier this month has been returned to his home in Nevada. Nevada Department of Wildlife sent us this quick video of the release. Watch closely, this bird is fast! The full speed version is followed by one at 1/3 speed, which is still pretty fast. You can find the rest of this roadrunner’s story on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AvianHaven.org On behalf of the Greater Roadrunner, thanks again to our friends at NDOW and to everyone who made this rescue and release possible!

Posted by Avian Haven on Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Update 9 p.m. 11/23/21: 

A stowaway roadrunner from Nevada that came to Maine was returned to the Silver State, according to the bird rehabilitation center that took him in. 

The center made arrangements with the Nevada Department of Wildlife late last week. In a Facebook post, the rehabilitation center said the roadrunner was taken back to Las Vegas via a direct Delta Airlines flight from Boston Logan International Airport. 

On Tuesday around 1 p.m., the bird was returned to his home neighborhood. Within a few minutes of the bird's carrier door being open, it darted from the container and disappeared into his old neighborhood, according to the social media post.

"Huge thanks to everyone who has contributed toward getting this roadrunner home again," Avian Haven wrote on Facebook. 

GRRO 21-3665 Westbrook – released! The stowaway Greater Roadrunner has gone home to Nevada! Arrangements with Nevada...

Posted by Avian Haven on Tuesday, November 23, 2021

 

Original story: 

The roadrunner who took a cross-country trip from Nevada to Maine is doing well, according to the bird rehabilitation center that took him in. 

On Saturday, NEWS CENTER Maine learned of the roadrunner who was found in a moving van that arrived in Westbrook after a four-day trip from Nevada. According to Westbrook police, employees of the moving company called them after arriving at a storage facility in Westbrook.

Police were able to safely take the roadrunner to Avian Haven in Freedom to be cared for.

A Facebook post from Avian Haven has given an update on the bird and says he's flying, eating quite well, and has gained some weight since his arrival. They say he does have some parasites but is being treated.

Plans are underway to get him back to Nevada although a date for his departure hasn't been set yet. 

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