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Frequently Asked Questions
About Birds Rouge River Bird Observatory |
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Frequently Asked Questions
About Birds Rouge River Bird Observatory |
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I have a bird that keeps flying into its reflection in my window.
Check out these suggestions from the National Audubon Society, and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. You might also want to learn more about preventing window collisions, a major source of mortality for birds.
Visit this excellent site at Cornell Lab of Ornithology to learn why they do it and what you can do. A recent published study in the Journal of Wildlife Management tested different types of deterrents. The only one that was usually effective was a reflective metallic streamer, hung from the eaves of the home, called IRRI-TAPE.
Nothing is wrong with it. It is undergoing an unusual molt (some individuals molt all of their head feathers simultaneously rather than gradually), or may, in rare cases, have feather mites. Read more at this Cornell Lab of Ornithology site, with photos.
The answer in nearly every case is LEAVE IT ALONE. It is NORMAL for baby birds that are not fully feathered to leave the nest well before they are able to fly. It is also normal for them to be left alone while the parents are out foraging for them. Attempts to raise a baby bird by non-professionals invariably result in a period of suffering for the bird, followed by death. For more information, download this brochure.
Often the answer here is also to leave it alone, and let nature take it's course. Birds can be very difficult to rehabilitate, if they survive a trip to a local rehabilitator. You will have to check with a local humane society or state wildlife department for locations. Do not give the bird any food or water. If you are the least bit tempted to take this bird into your care, here are some things to think about first:-- Birds require constant, specialized care with diets tailored to the needs of the species. Are you willing to research this and spend the time and money to prepare these foods?
-- Are you willing to take the time for round-the-clock care? Take time off of work?
-- How will you feel if the bird dies because of improper care? Most birds taken in by untrained citizens die.
-- If you took the bird in even knowing it was not a good idea to do so, are you sure that you will not become so attached to the bird that you will be able to release it?
-- Are you sure the bird will survive on its own once it is released? There are survival skills for many species that humans are unable to provide. How will you make sure the bird does not become habituated to humans while in your care?
-- Are you willing to take the risk that the bird does not have any disease or parasite that can be transmitted to you or your pets?
-- It is illegal for citizens to possess native species of birds, are you willing to deal with those consequences? In some states and localities, it is legal to possess a non-native species, but illegal to release it once it is in captivity. Are you willing to make a long-term commitment to this animal?
-- Taking all this into consideration, is this the best possible course of action for this bird?
In order to be ecologically sound, nest boxes must be constructed in specific dimensions, and require follow up and maintenance. Learn more about this commitment by downloading this brochure.
Report it to RRBO, or the bird banding lab -- instructions are found here. If the bird is a pigeon, it is NOT banded by a bander licensed under the Bird Banding Lab. We do not have information on banded pigeons. These are privately banded, and there is no centralized database of pigeon bands. However, it may be a racing pigeon, and the American Racing Pigeon Union can help you locate the club where the owner of the bird might be found.
House Sparrows are non-native species, and as such are not protected by law (native species cannot be killed, harassed, or disturbed). Make sure you can correctly identify House Sparrows so you do not disturb a native species. To reduce the number of House Sparrows in your yard:
- Do not feed bread or bakery items.
- Use larger seeds (safflower or sunflower). Use tube feeders with plastic perches and trim off 1/4 inch from each perch so they have a harder time using the feeder (small birds will still be able to perch).
- Do not feed on a platform feeder or the ground, or let seed accumulate on the ground.
- Use a "magic halo" at your feeder (suppliers here for those who don't make their own).
- Do not put up decorative bird boxes. Use only boxes designed for birds that will use them in your area (see question below).
- Do not let them nest under loose eaves troughs or other nooks and crannies on your property. Because they are not protected, you can remove their nests, eggs, or young.
- House Sparrows may be trapped, but this means you have to do something with them. Letting them go somewhere else is sometimes illegal and does not solve the problem -- it has been likened to bailing out the front of the boat and dumping the water back into the rear. Some wildlife rehabilitators will take live House Sparrows to feed their birds of prey. Call first to make arrangements. Otherwise, you will have to learn how to humanely euthanize the birds.
Here are some pervasive myths. They are NOT true:
Hummingbirds migrate on the backs of geese. If you touch a baby bird, the parents will abandon it. If a bird eats rice thrown at a wedding, it's stomach will explode. Bird feeders prevent birds from migrating. Birds will starve if I take down my feeders in winter. A duck's quack does not echo.
Take a look at our questions and answers regarding avian influenza and migratory birds.
Revised 12 Dec 2007