Spring is in full swing here in North Carolina, and we've had some storms this weekend. That means all the young fledglings are on the ground a bit early, and not only do they not comprehend danger just yet (give them a few days, they'll suddenly get it), but they can't really fly (again, give them a few days).
This means there are a lot of susceptible babies on the ground, and that's just birds. Bunnies and squirrels are also at risk.
For those of us with domestic dogs and cats, it is up to us to minimize the impact they have on wildlife populations. Tonight I had to save a baby bird from both my cat and my curious dog when we were out for a walk. (The cat walks with us, and though I was making sure he didn't go into the woods where I knew there were babies, he found a bird out in the lawn). The cat did bite the bird, which is no good.
IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE, READ THIS: A small bird/mammal that is scratched or bitten by a cat (or dog) WILL go septic and die. It NEEDS medical attention as soon as possible within 24 hours or less. The antibiotics are very effective in killing the infection, but left untreated the bacterial infection will kill the animal within three days or less. This can be within hours for a stressed and highly injured animal.
If you can, keep your cats indoors, or at least minimize their outdoor time. Not only is this good for your cat's health and lifespan, many a baby (and adult) bird will be grateful. There is an article here.
If you have dogs, keep them on a leash in parks and wildlife areas. In your own yard, walk around as often as possible to check for baby birds (preferably with your dog still contained). While this may not be practical all the time, at LEAST do so after any rain or wind storms when young fledglings fall from the nest early.
Baby songbirds up until mid-fledgling age do not have the instinct to run. They sit still and hope to be passed by since they can't get away effectively anyways.
If you find a baby bird and you are certain a cat or dog has not touched it, leave it be or move it to a safer (nearby) spot. Young fledglings have their wing feathers poking out from long shafts, and older fledglings are fully feathered. Their parents will come feed them (You can watch from a distance- they'll be by every 15 to 30 minutes usually). There is the option to make a fake nest and put it and the bird up a little ways in a tree, but an older fledgling will jump out of the nest very quickly.
If a bird or mammal does need help, get it in a suitably small box, with air holes, and put it in a QUIET area. Don't let all the kids peek at it after you've got the animal in the box- teach them respect rather than fulfilling their curiosity. Show them pictures online.
Do not offer the animal food or water. Get it to a rehabilitator. This means calling around and then driving it to them. Yes, this is a pain. I have to do this tonight, driving over an hour one way, when I'd hoped to be in bed by 9pm and not 11pm or later. I'm leaving just as soon as I hit send and put my dinner in the fridge. But if I don't go, the bird is going to have a miserable death. Being inconvenienced is a small price to pay.
Lastly, I believe it is our responsibility to do what we can for the ecosystems and animals around us. Take steps to help wildlife. If you can volunteer at a rehabilitators, do so. Plant native plants instead of exotics- this also benefits you as these plants do better in their native environments. Less lawn and more native flowers shrubs and trees means less lawn care. Put out bird food all year.
And keep those dogs and cats away from wildlife to the best of your ability.
Links:
http://www.wildliferehabber.org/
http://wildliferehabinfo.org/ (also has articles, and what to do if you find 'orphaned' wildlife.)
You may also find directories by state, or may have luck calling a local (or not so local) dog/cat ER clinic.
This means there are a lot of susceptible babies on the ground, and that's just birds. Bunnies and squirrels are also at risk.
For those of us with domestic dogs and cats, it is up to us to minimize the impact they have on wildlife populations. Tonight I had to save a baby bird from both my cat and my curious dog when we were out for a walk. (The cat walks with us, and though I was making sure he didn't go into the woods where I knew there were babies, he found a bird out in the lawn). The cat did bite the bird, which is no good.
IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE, READ THIS: A small bird/mammal that is scratched or bitten by a cat (or dog) WILL go septic and die. It NEEDS medical attention as soon as possible within 24 hours or less. The antibiotics are very effective in killing the infection, but left untreated the bacterial infection will kill the animal within three days or less. This can be within hours for a stressed and highly injured animal.
If you can, keep your cats indoors, or at least minimize their outdoor time. Not only is this good for your cat's health and lifespan, many a baby (and adult) bird will be grateful. There is an article here.
If you have dogs, keep them on a leash in parks and wildlife areas. In your own yard, walk around as often as possible to check for baby birds (preferably with your dog still contained). While this may not be practical all the time, at LEAST do so after any rain or wind storms when young fledglings fall from the nest early.
Baby songbirds up until mid-fledgling age do not have the instinct to run. They sit still and hope to be passed by since they can't get away effectively anyways.
If you find a baby bird and you are certain a cat or dog has not touched it, leave it be or move it to a safer (nearby) spot. Young fledglings have their wing feathers poking out from long shafts, and older fledglings are fully feathered. Their parents will come feed them (You can watch from a distance- they'll be by every 15 to 30 minutes usually). There is the option to make a fake nest and put it and the bird up a little ways in a tree, but an older fledgling will jump out of the nest very quickly.
If a bird or mammal does need help, get it in a suitably small box, with air holes, and put it in a QUIET area. Don't let all the kids peek at it after you've got the animal in the box- teach them respect rather than fulfilling their curiosity. Show them pictures online.
Do not offer the animal food or water. Get it to a rehabilitator. This means calling around and then driving it to them. Yes, this is a pain. I have to do this tonight, driving over an hour one way, when I'd hoped to be in bed by 9pm and not 11pm or later. I'm leaving just as soon as I hit send and put my dinner in the fridge. But if I don't go, the bird is going to have a miserable death. Being inconvenienced is a small price to pay.
Lastly, I believe it is our responsibility to do what we can for the ecosystems and animals around us. Take steps to help wildlife. If you can volunteer at a rehabilitators, do so. Plant native plants instead of exotics- this also benefits you as these plants do better in their native environments. Less lawn and more native flowers shrubs and trees means less lawn care. Put out bird food all year.
And keep those dogs and cats away from wildlife to the best of your ability.
Links:
http://www.wildliferehabber.org/
http://wildliferehabinfo.org/ (also has articles, and what to do if you find 'orphaned' wildlife.)
You may also find directories by state, or may have luck calling a local (or not so local) dog/cat ER clinic.
I have a ton this year already.
