The Bird
Center of Washtenaw County
To Help A Bird
HEAD INJURIES
Tall buildings are the major cause of death for migratory birds. Lights in tall
buildings should be turned off at night, and especially when the weather is foggy.
Put Bird Savers© (or other decals on the outside of windows at home that
birds hit. Move bird feeders to within three feet of a window. An injured bird’s
tail may be off to one side or you may suspect a collision because it is under
a window or beside a road. These birds need medication immediately. Keep the
bird warm and quiet and call for help. The bird center cell phone, listed above,
is a good place to start. You must confine the bird.
CAT CAUGHT BIRDS
Although the bird may not appear to be injured, all birds
that have been in a cat’s mouth need antibiotics. If not treated they die a
long slow death in the wild from infection. Puncture wounds from the cat’s
teeth are often invisible. For your health and the welfare of your cat keep
it inside. If it does go outside, make sure that its rabies vaccination is
up to date. The raccoon strain of rabies is now in the Cleveland, Ohio area.
It is expected to reach Michigan. We have the bat strain and the skunk strain
of rabies in Michigan presently. The bird flu, H5N1, which has not yet reached
us, also appears to be fatal to cats.
FLEDGLINGS
With the exception of a very small number of birds such as swallows
and swifts, songbirds leave the nest unable to fly. They remain on the ground
for a day or two until their wings become strong and they are able to flutter
into low bushes for safety. During this time they fall prey to dogs and cats,
children, well meaning adults, cars, lawnmowers, etc. Fledglings should be
able to walk or hop, and they should be covered with feathers. Watch the bird
quietly from a distance for an hour. If during this time the parents arrive
and feed the baby, all is well. Put cats and dogs inside, ask your neighbors
to put theirs inside, or get out your garden hose and give any marauding beasties
a discouraging shower.
HATCHLINGS AND NESTLINGS
Finding a little pink hatchling or small nestling on the ground is a traumatic experience. If the nest can be found and the bird does not appear to be injured, returning it to the nest is an option. If the bird is very weak or cold and is not opening its mouth to be fed you should not return it to the nest. The parents will only feed young that open their mouths and beg for food. Call for advice immediately. Make a facial tissue nest and keep the bird warm at 85-90 degrees. Do not use grass which is cold.
INCONVENIENT NESTS
Good nesting spots are scarce. Try not to remove old
dead trees if they do not pose a risk. Almost all birds, eggs, nests, and nestlings
are protected under federal law. A nest is not forever. Call the Bird Center
and we will try to give you an estimate of how long the nest will be occupied.
We will also advise you on how to avoid the problem in the future. Check all
nursery trees to be sure that yours does not contain a nest. If a tree must
be removed during the spring and summer, watch it for some time to be sure
that it does not harbor a nest. Again, we can give you an estimate of when
it would be safe to remove the tree.
PESTICIDES
With the exception of doves, all songbirds are feeding their young
the soft squishy insects, grubs, and worms that you or your lawn company may
be trying to eradicate! Help your health and that of children, pets, and birds
by eliminating pesticide use. If that seems too drastic, alternate years and
dig a few dandelions in the alternate year. You will find you can go much longer
between applications.
Enjoy Spring!
Carol R. Akerlof, Director
Bird Center of Washtenaw County, Inc.
(734) 761-9640