Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
If the bird can't balance or perch, place it in a shoebox lined with paper towels and
bring it inside. You can help it stay upright by fashioning a donut cushion from tissues.
In winter, keep a bird with extremely thick feathers in a basement or other fairly cool but
not cold place rather than in a room that will feel excessively hot to it. Every 15 minutes
or so, take the box outside and open it, to see if the bird flies off. Don't open the box
indoors! If the bird doesn't recover within an hour or two, bring it to a rehabber. Never
release anysongbirdatnighttime. Itwon'tbeabletoseewellenoughtofindasaferoost-
ing place.
A HELPING HAND
To
find
a
wildlife
rehabber
in
your
area,
check the online directory at
www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm.
Q We have a sparrow near our feeder that is just sitting still and not eating much.
I'm afraid that it's sick. What should we do?
A
If a bird in your yard seems lethargic, is sitting still with puffed-out feathers, has crus-
ted eyes, or shows other signs of illness, it's best to immediately bring your feeders in-
side, clean and air-dry them thoroughly, and don't begin feeding again for a week or so.
This won't help your sick bird, but it will send other birds away to reduce the chance of
the disease spreading to them. If you have reason to believe that the bird was stunned by
strikingawindoworwasinjuredbyacat,thenthere'snoreasontoclosedownyourfeed-
ing station.
Don't catch a possibly sick bird unless you already have discussed it with a wildlife
rehabilitation clinic and have been told specifically that they will be able to take it. Many
rehabbers are reluctant to take sick birds because they don't want to put birds they're
already caring for at risk of communicable diseases. And unless you're qualified and li-
censed, you may very well be letting yourself in for problems if you try to take care of
it yourself. When birds are feeling sick or weak, they seldom preen, and lice and mites
multiply quickly.
Q When I was taking a walk with a friend, we came upon an injured bird. We were
both afraid to pick it up, so we just kept going. What should we have done?
A
If a bird may be sick, it's best to leave handling it to a wildlife rehabber. Depending
on the disease possibilities, it may pose serious dangers to other birds at a rehab facility,
