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Birds, Hunters, and Lead

10,000 Birds

There are few sights more wrenching to a wildlife rehabilitator than a convulsing, lead-poisoned bird. In what some might see as an unlikely alliance, wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians, and – yes – hunters have banded together to convince those who hunt to use copper bullets instead of lead.

Hunters 176
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Linda Hufford: A Rehabber Comments on “Collecting” Rare Birds

10,000 Birds

This week’s guest blog was written by Linda Hufford, who has been a wildlife rehabilitator specializing in raptors for over twenty years. She runs Birds of Texas Rehabilitation Center in Austin County, Texas. Can a dead bird educate the researcher on its song? Or how gracefully it flew? Its natural longevity?

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Can Nature Take Care of Itself?

10,000 Birds

My work as a wildlife rehabilitator over the past forty-five years has allowed me a unique perspective on a disturbing trend. But the fact is nature has little to do with most problems facing native birds. To that person, the bird in trouble is real and not an anonymous blob of feathers. The difference seems obvious.

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Bird Lovers: This Scam’s For You

10,000 Birds

I’m a wildlife rehabilitator, so I’m always ranting about things like eagles being lead poisoned or songbirds being slaughtered by outdoor and feral cats. I’ve received stacks of hate mail from hunters who use lead bullets (as opposed to copper), outdoor cat owners, etc etc etc. For a minute, she had me.

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Trumpeter Swans: Don’t Shoot Them

10,000 Birds

Overall they are pretty amazing birds. This morning’s news had this: During this year’s open of waterfowl season, the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center admitted more trumpeter swans for bullet wounds than ever before. They (hunters) see this white thing, and they aren’t entirely sure what it is,” Naumann said.

Minnesota 206
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Wildlife Rehabilitator War Wounds

10,000 Birds

Injured wildlife are not the most cooperative of patients. Wildlife rehabilitators have an arsenal of equipment and techniques we use to protect ourselves. My parrots have nailed me harder than any wild bird,” said Jodi Swenson. Most of mine are small mammals,” said Denise Hunter.

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Redtails in Tornados

10,000 Birds

He was a small male, six or seven months old, and obviously not a skilled hunter. All three arrived ten minutes later. It was lucky for the hawk, who was so emaciated he probably wouldn’t have lasted the night. Solid food would have killed him, as he’d have used up the last of his fading energy trying to digest it.

Mice 203