Questions about other bird issues
- How can I keep migrating ducks from taking up residence in my pool?
- I have birds nesting above my front door and they are making a mess. What can I do?
- A hawk (or other bird) has flown into our warehouse and won’t come down from the skylight, what do I do now?
- Can you contract diseases from rescuing the bird?
- What are the laws regarding wild birds?
- How do I keep birds from crashing into windows?
ANSWERS:
Q. I see baby birds on the ground - are they in need of rescuing?
Spring is the busiest time of year at The Bird Rescue Center and hundreds of baby birds are brought to us. We would like to remind everyone that baby birds should only be brought to us if they are injured or if you are certain that they have been abandoned by their parents.
Here are tips and considerations about different stages of baby birds:
Fledglings:
Baby birds that are beginning to leave the nest are called “fledglings”. Their flight feathers haven't fully developed, but they can flutter
from branch to branch. Don't be alarmed if you see a fledgling on the ground. It could be taking a rest from its first flight or it could be waiting for one of its parents to feed it. Do not attempt to replace such a youngster in the nest. Leaving the nest is a part of their normal development and it is best not to interfere with the process.
A chirping baby robin on the ground, for example, is most likely telling its parents that it is hungry and it is letting them know where they can find it. Parents coach their fledglings to find suitable cover and feed them even after they are able to fly. Like all parents, adult birds can't be everywhere at once, so if you watch a grounded fledgling for a half an hour you should see one of its parents bringing it several snacks. Keep all pets, children and curious adults away from the area and let the parents carry on with the process of rearing their young.
Ground-Nesters:
Don't forget that many species of birds, especially precocial birds, nest on the ground. Precocial birds are birds that hatch from the egg with their eyes open, fluffy and ready to follow their mother. Sandpipers and killdeer are examples of this type of bird and if you see one on the ground and a parent is anywhere nearby, leave it alone. It is supposed to be on the ground and its chances of survival are greatly reduced if it is taken away from the parents.
If the peep of the bird is weak, it can't stand it needs attention and or after 30 minutes of observations the adults do not appear, you will need to bring the bird to the Center.
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Q. How can I keep migrating ducks from taking up residence in my pool?
Usually, brightly colored objects floating freely in the water will discourage them from landing on it. Things like beach balls or kids’ toys can be used effectively. You can also cover the pool until they have moved on.
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Q. I have birds nesting above my front door and they are making a mess. What can I do?
Wait until the babies have fledged. Then remove the nests and devise some sort of barrier (i.e., rolled chicken wire) to prevent future nesting. DO NOT disturb the nest! Remember it is illegal.
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Q. A hawk (or other bird) has flown into our warehouse and won’t come down from the skylight, what do I do now?
First, go up on the roof and cover the skylight completely with an opaque cloth which will completely block the light. Next, determine if the bird is a diurnal hawk (active during the day) or a nocturnal owl (active at night).
If it is an owl:
Most owls spend the daylight hours secluded in a tree or other structure and do not fly until dark. At dusk, turn off all lights inside the building, open the largest door close to the bird, remove all people from the area and be out of sight but in a position where you can see the bird leave. Most owls will not leave until it is quite dark so your timing is critical. The bird may also be disoriented and not fly out immediately even when it is dark so be prepared to give it some time.
If it is not an owl:
If the bird flies into the warehouse toward dusk it may be perfectly content to simply roost in your building overnight. In this situation, turn off the lights, close the doors and go home. Come back before dawn, keep all lights off, open the largest door close to the bird and remove all people from the area. Again, position yourself out of sight but in a position where you can see the bird leave. This is most successful if you arrive early enough to have the door open as the sky lightens.
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Q. Can you contract diseases from rescuing the bird?
The chances of you catching anything directly from a wild bird are very remote.
Birds have higher body temperatures than humans and as a result, humans do not act as hosts to bird parasites which demand warmer temperatures for survival. If mites or feather lice from a bird do get on you, simply wash your hands with soap and the parasites will wash away.
If you are afraid of touching the bird, get a friend or neighbor to pick it up or pick it up using a towel or gloves. If a bird does have parasites on it, it is a sign that it is in really bad shape and in need of your help even more than its injury would indicate.
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Q. What are the laws regarding wild birds?
- No one may have in his/her possession any native wild species of bird without special federal and state permits.
- No one may tamper with or destroy any occupied nest of a native wild species. Such a nest may be destroyed only when not in use after the breeding season.
- No one may kill any native species except a properly licensed hunter during an authorized hunting season. “Nuisance birds” may be disposed of only after securing a depredation permit from the Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner’s office.
- No one may legally possess feathers from a native species or the carcass of a native species without the appropriate State and Federal permits.
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Q. How do I keep birds from crashing into windows?
After hitting the window, birds can be stunned, break a wing, or even be killed. Here are some handy tips for keeping wild birds from flying and crashing into windows. Not all of these ideas work for all people, it depends on the house, the bird, and the surroundings. Experiment - if one tip doesn't work, try another.
Remember, it is NOT what is inside your house that is causing the problem. Keeping your blinds or shades drawn, or putting up a curtain inside will not solve the problem. Changing whatever is inside will not reduce the reflection on the outside. The birds are seeing the reflection of the sky, clouds, trees, birdfeeders, and other things outside. They think they can fly to those things, not realizing there is only a window.
- Keep your windows dirty! The reason the birds fly into windows is because they see the reflections in the glass and don't know about the concept of "glass windows." They think they can fly to whatever is reflected, and then hit the window. Dirt reduces reflections.
- Put a screen on the window.
- Thumb tack shade cloth over the window. Shade cloth can be bought at hardware stores or garden centers. It's a plastic mesh that is easy for you to see through and will keep the windows from having reflections.
- Thumb tack string diagonally across the windows, from corner to corner. Do this for all corners. Then tie strips of cloth or surveyor's tape (colored plastic strips) to the string so that the ends flutter in the wind. You are creating a scarecrow effect on the window.
- Cut circles out of a foil pie pan. Poke a hole in each circle and tie a string through the hole. Then tie these foil circles to the diagonal strings as in the step above.
- Relocate any birdfeeders and houses further from the house so the birds will not see their reflections as often.
- In the North Bay area, a practical solution might be to purchase some ‘vineyard’ tape at a farm supply store. Cut out appropriate length strips and staple by one end to the outer edge of the eaves above the window. The iridescence of the tape alerts the birds. (Hint: the left-over tape is great for wrapping presents).
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