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Do you know how many times a day wildlife rehabilitators say that, especially in the summer? First up: Vonda Lee Morton, who has been a rehabber for 15 years, and started Laurens Wildlife Rescue in Laurens County, Georgia, ten years ago. Birds georgia wildlife rescue laurens wildlife rescue mississippi kites Vonda Lee Morton birds wildlife rehabilitatorsHey – I’m not the only rehabber out here. (Do MORE
A wildlife rehabilitator friend, newly licensed, recently called to ask if he could feed a recovering Turkey Vulture anything besides defrosted rodents. Birds raptors turkey vulture wildlife rehabilitators Did I have an answer for him. Normally I feed vultures, as well as hawks and owls, defrosted mice and rats. Sometimes a defrosted chick. MORE
I have been a wild bird rehabilitator for 26 years, and you have my gratitude and admiration for your willingness to provide aid to a helpless creature. If the bird is truly orphaned and needs help, the best advice is the shortest: take her to a wildlife rehabilitator. Need more information while you’re finding a licensed wildlife rehabilitator? MORE
Reviews Blue jays book review wildlife rehabilitatorsThe last time a Julie Zickefoose book was reviewed on this blogsite, the piece began by saying “This is going to be a rave review.” That sentence will do for this review and this book, too: it’s unavoidable. Who knew? MORE
This one comes from Vonda Lee Morton, a wildlife rehabilitator who runs Laurens Wildlife Rescue outside Atlanta. She and I have never met in person, but thanks to the internet we’ve been through all kinds of wildlife emergencies together. Pay close attention to the videos on this post, which might give the uninitiated a little window into the psyches of rehabilitators. Birds Conservation Great Blue Heron turkey vulture wildlife rehabilitators MORE
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. This is not protecting hunters’ rights; this is taking away a law that protects the health of both hunters and wildlife. MORE
Wildlife lovers and rehabilitators, as always, tried to intervene. “I I have been caring for raptors for almost 29 years and not even a Bald Eagle can carry off 12 pounds,” wrote Eileen Wicker, the Executive Director of Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky. If you see a flyer such as this and you’re unfamiliar with wildlife, you can 1) believe the hundreds of people who write things like “I know for a fact a Barn Owl can carry off a 3-pound Chihuahua!” MORE
This post is from Lisa Beth Acton, a wildlife rehabilitator in Accord, NY. Lisa brings her to all kinds of gatherings to spread the word of wildlife (see Xena’s Facebook page ). They were not aware of wildlife laws, and thought they could raise and release them. Birds common ravens Lisa Acton Lisa Beth Acton wildlife rehabilitatorShe has a captive-bred education bird named Xena, a Eurasian Eagle Owl. MORE
By the time August rolls around, wildlife rehabilitators are fried. There have been months of late-night phone calls, hordes of orphans, and lots of less-than-satisfying encounters with the public, who, shall we say, don’t always have the best interests of wildlife at heart. Here is a typical wildlife rehabber near the end of August: But then something amazing happens. Birds wildlife rehabilitator exhaustion wildlife rehabilitators MORE
To civilians who may have been puzzled by the wildlife crowd’s tossed-off references to peefas, modos or mice cubes, here is a beginner’s guide to Rehabberspeak. Just when wildlife rehabilitators have made it through the summer, dealt with fall migration, repaired whatever’s been broken during the chaos, and are just about to try to relax … noooooo. Birds abbreviations slang wildlife rehabilitators MORE
My work as a wildlife rehabilitator over the past forty-five years has allowed me a unique perspective on a disturbing trend. Consider this: ninety percent of birds treated at wildlife centers are admitted as a result of human interactions that have nothing to do with “nature.” Ironically, the time when a person first finds and brings in or reports an injured bird is the ideal time for education, potentially turning that person into one who appreciates wildlife for life. MORE
I knew the wildlife. I have a book about injured wildlife coming out soon, and I couldn’t buy better publicity.”. This unlucky/lucky young Red-tailed Hawk was found and taken to Red Creek Wildlife Care in Pennsylvania. A recent thread on my Raptorcare listserv produced one wildlife rehabilitator’s nightmarish photo of a leghold trap firmly clutching the leg of a Great Horned Owl. This is the kind of insanity that goes on with leghold traps. MORE
It’s a wonder wildlife rehabilitators have any hair left by the end of the summer, as we’ve been so busy tearing it out over people who have found a baby bird and tried to help by squirting milk down his throat or stuffing him with bread. Call a wildlife rehabilitator! Milk + Wildlife = Big Mistake. Orphaned wildlife >>>———–> wildlife rehabber. Birds have no boobs. MORE
Normally wildlife rehabilitators try not to give these kinds of directions. In any of these cases, it’s a ride to the rehabilitator or else. Birds nestling birds Northern Mockingbirds wildlife rehabilitators We say things like, “Just pick him up and put him back in his nest,” or “Leave him alone, the parents are around.” MORE
Today’s post is written by Monte Merrick, wildlife rehabilitator and co-director of the Humboldt Wildlife Care Center/bird ally x in Arcata, CA. In port, the local rehabilitators thought it would be best for her to treated closer to her home, at a facility dedicated to aquatic birds. I happened to work at that facility, for International Bird Rescue at the Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care and Education Center , part of the Oiled Wildlife Care Network. MORE
“It is next to impossible to persuade people in India to donate money for injured raptors,” says Nadeem Shehzad, co-founder of Wildlife Rescue , a registered non-profit in the Chawri Bazar area of Old Delhi. In a sequence of events to which every wildlife rehabilitator can relate, stories of the brothers who cared for injured birds circulated, their telephone began to ring, and their quest for medical knowledge escalated. MORE
Okay, folks, today we will be discussing one of those internet pass-arounds which are meant to fill everyone with joy and inspiration, but which make wildlife rehabilitators look for the nearest wall against which to bang our heads. Wildlife rehabilitators endure. Beaks and talons are made of keratin, like our fingernails, and they grow, are worn down, and grow back again, just like wildlife rehabilitators. MORE
Why do you wildlife rehabilitators waste your time saving a cardinal with a broken wing, when you could be giving your money to save habitat? Wildlife rehabilitators should not have to defend what they do. Birding bird rehabilitation buckshot rehab wildlife rehabilitatorsThe kids can’t get enough of this stuff. Who’s ever seen an x-ray?” I ask. Anyone ever broken a bone?” Hands shoot up. Here is an x-ray of a bird,” I say. “It’s MORE
This guest blog was written by Debbie Souza-Pappas, the director and founder of Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation in Price, Utah. Ipsen of Payson Family Pet Hospital in Payson, Utah, is our wildlife vet and very skilled at orthopedic surgeries. This wild animal knows he is not suppose to be in ‘our world’ and our mere presence is stressful, so as with all wildlife, we keep contact to a minimum. MORE
They are among the most difficult birds for wildlife rehabilitators to raise, so if any fall down your chimney their best chance of survival is to put them back up there again. Jayne has given many presentations about rehabilitating Chimney Swifts; so here, straight from the source, is Chimney Swift Re-Nesting 101: Make sure the babes are not cold. It’s summer, you’re in your house, and suddenly there’s a commotion. MORE
Question: What’s one of the best things about being a wildlife rehabilitator? Birds birds and alcohol birds and drinking vultures and alcohol wildlife rehabilitators and vodkaAnswer: The presents you get from friends who are trying to distract you from all the stress in your life. Case in point: Vino Vodka Vulture. My friend Jon Walsh is a lawyer, writer, sailor, hiker, and fix-it guy. Depending on the circumstances, he can either repair things or tear them down. MORE
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. Upon arrival we were given strict and non-flexible rules: never go even one inch off the ice paths, never allow the tiniest piece of litter to escape, never interact in any way with the wildlife, and cause absolutely no environmental damage. MORE
I have been a wild bird rehabilitator for 26 years, and you have my gratitude and admiration for your willingness to provide aid to a helpless creature. If the bird is truly orphaned and needs help, the best advice is the shortest: take her to a wildlife rehabilitator. Need more information while you’re finding a licensed wildlife rehabilitator? MORE
Linda runs a wildlife rehabilitation center in Austin County, Texas, and one night she wrote to our listserv that a woman had called her that afternoon and told her that Mockingbirds had gotten into her house, taken over her brain, and were telling her what to do. “I Birds wildlife rehabilitatorsRehabbers are all – well, almost all – connected by the internet. MORE
Today’s blog was written by Kathy Hershey, co-founder of Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators in Hope, Indiana. Local animal control, the police, and our rehabilitation center were all called, but he proved uncatchable. Because he’ll always want to seek kids and shoelaces and risk danger to himself, Parker has a new life at our wildlife rehabilitation center, and his story puts a face on these amazing birds. MORE
This blog was written by Sherry Turner Teas, a rehabber in Chattanooga, Tennessee: It started out as a normal day for a wildlife rehabilitator here in Tennessee – giving medicine, cleaning cages, and feeding baby birds. I called my vet, all my fellow rehabbers, and I posted for help in the Wildlife Rehabbers Blog Group on Facebook. Birds birds and spiders birds black widows birds eating spiders Sherry Turner Teas wildlife rehabilitator MORE
The general public is out and about, birds and animals are raising their young, and human/wildlife interaction is at its peak. Violation of the law would be punishable by substantial fines, plus the cat owners would be required to perform community service at a local wildlife rehabilitation facility. They’d also have to pay for every aspect of care the injured bird requires, as well as the emotional suffering of the wildlife rehabilitator!”. MORE
Through the internet, they have forged bonds with other wildlife rehabililators throughout the world. In March, rehabbers in the United States will gather at the annual National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association conference to make contacts, swap information, and learn new techniques. The wildlife centers set up lodging, local transportation, and meetings with their directors and veterinarians. Conservation India wildlife rehabilitators MORE
Just returned from an amazing tour of Tulsa … wildlife rehabilitators, fabulous artists, even an NPR interview with Rich Fisher – all to benefit WING-IT , Tulsa’s dedicated group of rehabbers. MORE
This story comes from Melissa Gillmer, a zookeeper and wildlife rehabilitator at the Bear Mountain Zoo. Birds black vultures Ospreys Turkey Vultures wildlife rehabilitators The zoo is part of Bear Mountain State Park , a glorious expanse of mountainous land on the west side of the Hudson River in New York. When Melissa’s sister Danielle wanted to do some volunteer work at the zoo, Melissa decided to put her to work cleaning out the Black Bear den. MORE
Injured wildlife are not the most cooperative of patients. Wildlife rehabilitators have an arsenal of equipment and techniques we use to protect ourselves. I was working at the Coastal Wildlife Rescue Center here in Alabama, and he had either been blown in during a storm or caught a ride on a ship. Birds wildlife rehabilitator injuries wildlife rehabilitatorsMost of them think we’re trying to eat them, not help them. MORE
If that’s not possible, she needs the knowledgeable care of a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Wildlife rehabbers love the public. Somehow they manage to get the bird or animal to a rehabilitator, even though finding one is often a feat in itself. Why do wildlife rehabilitators not love the public? Explanations are simple: only a mother rabbit or a highly trained rehabilitator has a chance of raising and releasing a healthy wild bunny. MORE
It’s a rough world for wildlife. Part of a wildlife rehabilitator’s job description should be a willingness to have your heart smashed to bits over and over again. More than 90% of wildlife injuries are caused by humans. I loudly curse people out, I routinely wish everyone would disappear and leave a world populated only by wildlife, I mock the word “humanity.” Birds dogs wild bird rehabilitators wildlife rehabilitators MORE
I reacted that way because I’m a wildlife rehabilitator. Birds wildlife rehabilitatorThis is about two birds flapping, not one, but I needed a title. So the other day I was sitting at my outdoor table, minding my own business, when two birds came sailing around the house and nearly took my head off. I don’t know what the issue was – trespassing, lovers’ quarrel, uneven division of parental duty – but one was out to get the other. MORE
My very first rescue was a House Sparrow caught in a glue trap,” says Donna Osburn, a wildlife rehabilitator in Kentucky. I tell people DO NOT try to remove the bird,” says Maureen Eiger of Wildlife Care Alliance in Virginia, who gets calls from people who put glue traps in their garage, leave the garage door open, and catch birds instead of mice. Birds birds glue traps glue traps sticky traps wildlife rehabilitator MORE
This is more of a cautionary tale about one of the perils lying in wait for wildlife rehabilitators who decide to take shortcuts. Birds releasing birds wildlife rehabilitators What follows will not be elegant artspeak about how certain photographers can capture not only the beauty but the spirit of wild birds, although my friend Russ Cusick , who took these photos, has certainly produced some of my favorite avian images. MORE
I’d check my bank statements anyway,” cracked Michele Wellard, of Pennsylvania’s Schuylkill Center Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic , during one of our frequent Rehabber FaceBook Free-For-Alls. The Common Grackle pictured at left was a patient at Wildlife Care Alliance in Virginia. “I Eileen Wicker of Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky has an unreleasable Turkey Vulture who has a thing for hats. Birds Bird Behavior wildlife rehabilitators MORE
I recently traveled to Oklahoma to help spread the word of wildlife, finding all kinds of adventure along the way. Since wildlife rehabilitators are in short supply wherever you go, we tend to forge internet friendships; then the fact that our closest compatriots may live thousands of miles away isn’t such a problem. Tulsa area wildlife rehabilitators are awesome. When I left I was smiling: could there actually be hope for wildlife? MORE
Years ago, I became a wildlife volunteer and advocate because of a cat who caught a bird. The wildlife center was an hour away if I was lucky. That was my first trip to California Wildlife Center. I’d rescued birds before, but this time I had to face the wildlife center with a personal connection to the carnage. Cat and dog rescuers share with wildlife rehabilitators the unfortunate burden of healing the hurt caused by other humans. MORE
When using a regular hospital cage, the wildlife rehabilitator reaches in, picks up the bird, transfers him to another cage, cleans the original one, then returns the bird. Birds wild bird caging wild bird hospital wildlife rehabilitators One summer my father came to visit from his home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. MORE
At that point I didn’t know about 10,000 Birds; I had been a wildlife rehabilitator and mother for years, with no time to surf the net for amazing birding sites. Birds Suzie Gilbert wildlife rehabilitatorsWhen my book “ Flyaway: How A Wild Bird Rehabber Sought Adventure and Found Her Wings ” came out in 2009, one of my favorite reviews was by Corey Finger of 10,000 Birds. MORE
I asked a group of wildlife rehabilitators: “What are some of the Worst Bird Myths? An injured or orphaned bird must be taken to a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as humanly possible, or they will have little chance of surviving. Do not learn about how to care for wild birds from the internet: do take the bird to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Birds bird myths wildlife rehabilitators MORE
Such is the sad truth of die-hard wildlife rehabilitators, who can’t even go on a simple bike ride without feeling compelled to rescue birds who either don’t exist or turn out to be perfectly healthy. Birds crows wildlife rehabilitators Look in the middle, just over the trees: there’s a big flock of birds up there. Same thing with the photo below. So: on a beautiful fall afternoon, my friend Ardal and I decided to go to for a bike ride. MORE
No other wildlife rehabilitators could respond to the call, and Lisa was two hours away. Birds Cooper''s Hawks eagles wildlife rehabilitates “You’ve gotta help me,” said my rehabber friend Lisa Acton. There’s a guy in Ossining and he swears he has two baby eagles in his back yard. I told him they’re probably not eagles, but he says they’re definitely eagles. He said they were so hungry they ate ham and fruit off a plate.”. They what?” I said, alarmed. “He MORE
Wildlife Rehabilitation Related Topics 10,000 Birds
APRIL 8, 2016
Injured wildlife are not the most cooperative of patients. Wildlife rehabilitators have an arsenal of equipment and techniques we use to protect ourselves. I was working at the Coastal Wildlife Rescue Center here in Alabama, and he had either been blown in during a storm or caught a ride on a ship. Birds wildlife rehabilitator injuries wildlife rehabilitatorsMost of them think we’re trying to eat them, not help them.
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 29, 2014
To civilians who may have been puzzled by the wildlife crowd’s tossed-off references to peefas, modos or mice cubes, here is a beginner’s guide to Rehabberspeak. Just when wildlife rehabilitators have made it through the summer, dealt with fall migration, repaired whatever’s been broken during the chaos, and are just about to try to relax … noooooo. Birds abbreviations slang wildlife rehabilitators
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 10, 2012
Linda runs a wildlife rehabilitation center in Austin County, Texas, and one night she wrote to our listserv that a woman had called her that afternoon and told her that Mockingbirds had gotten into her house, taken over her brain, and were telling her what to do. “I Birds wildlife rehabilitatorsRehabbers are all – well, almost all – connected by the internet.
10,000 Birds
FEBRUARY 14, 2014
I’d check my bank statements anyway,” cracked Michele Wellard, of Pennsylvania’s Schuylkill Center Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic , during one of our frequent Rehabber FaceBook Free-For-Alls. The Common Grackle pictured at left was a patient at Wildlife Care Alliance in Virginia. “I Eileen Wicker of Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky has an unreleasable Turkey Vulture who has a thing for hats. Birds Bird Behavior wildlife rehabilitators
10,000 Birds
NOVEMBER 21, 2014
Just returned from an amazing tour of Tulsa … wildlife rehabilitators, fabulous artists, even an NPR interview with Rich Fisher – all to benefit WING-IT , Tulsa’s dedicated group of rehabbers.
10,000 Birds
JUNE 29, 2012
Why do you wildlife rehabilitators waste your time saving a cardinal with a broken wing, when you could be giving your money to save habitat? Wildlife rehabilitators should not have to defend what they do. Birding bird rehabilitation buckshot rehab wildlife rehabilitatorsThe kids can’t get enough of this stuff. Who’s ever seen an x-ray?” I ask. Anyone ever broken a bone?” Hands shoot up. Here is an x-ray of a bird,” I say. “It’s
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 9, 2013
The general public is out and about, birds and animals are raising their young, and human/wildlife interaction is at its peak. Violation of the law would be punishable by substantial fines, plus the cat owners would be required to perform community service at a local wildlife rehabilitation facility. They’d also have to pay for every aspect of care the injured bird requires, as well as the emotional suffering of the wildlife rehabilitator!”.
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 26, 2016
By the time August rolls around, wildlife rehabilitators are fried. There have been months of late-night phone calls, hordes of orphans, and lots of less-than-satisfying encounters with the public, who, shall we say, don’t always have the best interests of wildlife at heart. Here is a typical wildlife rehabber near the end of August: But then something amazing happens. Birds wildlife rehabilitator exhaustion wildlife rehabilitators
10,000 Birds
FEBRUARY 26, 2016
This guest blog was written by Debbie Souza-Pappas, the director and founder of Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation in Price, Utah. Ipsen of Payson Family Pet Hospital in Payson, Utah, is our wildlife vet and very skilled at orthopedic surgeries. This wild animal knows he is not suppose to be in ‘our world’ and our mere presence is stressful, so as with all wildlife, we keep contact to a minimum.
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 12, 2016
Today’s blog was written by Kathy Hershey, co-founder of Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators in Hope, Indiana. Local animal control, the police, and our rehabilitation center were all called, but he proved uncatchable. Because he’ll always want to seek kids and shoelaces and risk danger to himself, Parker has a new life at our wildlife rehabilitation center, and his story puts a face on these amazing birds.
10,000 Birds
JULY 17, 2015
Do you know how many times a day wildlife rehabilitators say that, especially in the summer? First up: Vonda Lee Morton, who has been a rehabber for 15 years, and started Laurens Wildlife Rescue in Laurens County, Georgia, ten years ago. Birds georgia wildlife rescue laurens wildlife rescue mississippi kites Vonda Lee Morton birds wildlife rehabilitatorsHey – I’m not the only rehabber out here. (Do
10,000 Birds
JUNE 19, 2015
Okay, folks, today we will be discussing one of those internet pass-arounds which are meant to fill everyone with joy and inspiration, but which make wildlife rehabilitators look for the nearest wall against which to bang our heads. Wildlife rehabilitators endure. Beaks and talons are made of keratin, like our fingernails, and they grow, are worn down, and grow back again, just like wildlife rehabilitators.
10,000 Birds
JULY 20, 2019
Reviews Blue jays book review wildlife rehabilitatorsThe last time a Julie Zickefoose book was reviewed on this blogsite, the piece began by saying “This is going to be a rave review.” That sentence will do for this review and this book, too: it’s unavoidable. Who knew?
10,000 Birds
OCTOBER 21, 2016
At that point I didn’t know about 10,000 Birds; I had been a wildlife rehabilitator and mother for years, with no time to surf the net for amazing birding sites. Birds Suzie Gilbert wildlife rehabilitatorsWhen my book “ Flyaway: How A Wild Bird Rehabber Sought Adventure and Found Her Wings ” came out in 2009, one of my favorite reviews was by Corey Finger of 10,000 Birds.
10,000 Birds
JULY 29, 2016
I have been a wild bird rehabilitator for 26 years, and you have my gratitude and admiration for your willingness to provide aid to a helpless creature. If the bird is truly orphaned and needs help, the best advice is the shortest: take her to a wildlife rehabilitator. Need more information while you’re finding a licensed wildlife rehabilitator?
10,000 Birds
JULY 29, 2016
I have been a wild bird rehabilitator for 26 years, and you have my gratitude and admiration for your willingness to provide aid to a helpless creature. If the bird is truly orphaned and needs help, the best advice is the shortest: take her to a wildlife rehabilitator. Need more information while you’re finding a licensed wildlife rehabilitator?
10,000 Birds
JANUARY 17, 2014
Normally wildlife rehabilitators try not to give these kinds of directions. In any of these cases, it’s a ride to the rehabilitator or else. Birds nestling birds Northern Mockingbirds wildlife rehabilitators We say things like, “Just pick him up and put him back in his nest,” or “Leave him alone, the parents are around.”
10,000 Birds
OCTOBER 23, 2015
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. Upon arrival we were given strict and non-flexible rules: never go even one inch off the ice paths, never allow the tiniest piece of litter to escape, never interact in any way with the wildlife, and cause absolutely no environmental damage.
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 28, 2015
It’s a rough world for wildlife. Part of a wildlife rehabilitator’s job description should be a willingness to have your heart smashed to bits over and over again. More than 90% of wildlife injuries are caused by humans. I loudly curse people out, I routinely wish everyone would disappear and leave a world populated only by wildlife, I mock the word “humanity.” Birds dogs wild bird rehabilitators wildlife rehabilitators
10,000 Birds
MAY 23, 2014
It’s a wonder wildlife rehabilitators have any hair left by the end of the summer, as we’ve been so busy tearing it out over people who have found a baby bird and tried to help by squirting milk down his throat or stuffing him with bread. Call a wildlife rehabilitator! Milk + Wildlife = Big Mistake. Orphaned wildlife >>>———–> wildlife rehabber. Birds have no boobs.
10,000 Birds
JANUARY 2, 2015
“It is next to impossible to persuade people in India to donate money for injured raptors,” says Nadeem Shehzad, co-founder of Wildlife Rescue , a registered non-profit in the Chawri Bazar area of Old Delhi. In a sequence of events to which every wildlife rehabilitator can relate, stories of the brothers who cared for injured birds circulated, their telephone began to ring, and their quest for medical knowledge escalated.
10,000 Birds
JANUARY 31, 2014
This one comes from Vonda Lee Morton, a wildlife rehabilitator who runs Laurens Wildlife Rescue outside Atlanta. She and I have never met in person, but thanks to the internet we’ve been through all kinds of wildlife emergencies together. Pay close attention to the videos on this post, which might give the uninitiated a little window into the psyches of rehabilitators. Birds Conservation Great Blue Heron turkey vulture wildlife rehabilitators
10,000 Birds
MAY 6, 2016
I asked a group of wildlife rehabilitators: “What are some of the Worst Bird Myths? An injured or orphaned bird must be taken to a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as humanly possible, or they will have little chance of surviving. Do not learn about how to care for wild birds from the internet: do take the bird to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Birds bird myths wildlife rehabilitators
10,000 Birds
NOVEMBER 20, 2015
Question: What’s one of the best things about being a wildlife rehabilitator? Birds birds and alcohol birds and drinking vultures and alcohol wildlife rehabilitators and vodkaAnswer: The presents you get from friends who are trying to distract you from all the stress in your life. Case in point: Vino Vodka Vulture. My friend Jon Walsh is a lawyer, writer, sailor, hiker, and fix-it guy. Depending on the circumstances, he can either repair things or tear them down.
10,000 Birds
DECEMBER 5, 2014
I recently traveled to Oklahoma to help spread the word of wildlife, finding all kinds of adventure along the way. Since wildlife rehabilitators are in short supply wherever you go, we tend to forge internet friendships; then the fact that our closest compatriots may live thousands of miles away isn’t such a problem. Tulsa area wildlife rehabilitators are awesome. When I left I was smiling: could there actually be hope for wildlife?
10,000 Birds
OCTOBER 7, 2016
Years ago, I became a wildlife volunteer and advocate because of a cat who caught a bird. The wildlife center was an hour away if I was lucky. That was my first trip to California Wildlife Center. I’d rescued birds before, but this time I had to face the wildlife center with a personal connection to the carnage. Cat and dog rescuers share with wildlife rehabilitators the unfortunate burden of healing the hurt caused by other humans.
10,000 Birds
MARCH 25, 2016
Wildlife lovers and rehabilitators, as always, tried to intervene. “I I have been caring for raptors for almost 29 years and not even a Bald Eagle can carry off 12 pounds,” wrote Eileen Wicker, the Executive Director of Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky. If you see a flyer such as this and you’re unfamiliar with wildlife, you can 1) believe the hundreds of people who write things like “I know for a fact a Barn Owl can carry off a 3-pound Chihuahua!”
10,000 Birds
SEPTEMBER 11, 2015
Today’s post is written by Monte Merrick, wildlife rehabilitator and co-director of the Humboldt Wildlife Care Center/bird ally x in Arcata, CA. In port, the local rehabilitators thought it would be best for her to treated closer to her home, at a facility dedicated to aquatic birds. I happened to work at that facility, for International Bird Rescue at the Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care and Education Center , part of the Oiled Wildlife Care Network.
10,000 Birds
JULY 15, 2016
They are among the most difficult birds for wildlife rehabilitators to raise, so if any fall down your chimney their best chance of survival is to put them back up there again. Jayne has given many presentations about rehabilitating Chimney Swifts; so here, straight from the source, is Chimney Swift Re-Nesting 101: Make sure the babes are not cold. It’s summer, you’re in your house, and suddenly there’s a commotion.
10,000 Birds
JANUARY 30, 2015
Through the internet, they have forged bonds with other wildlife rehabililators throughout the world. In March, rehabbers in the United States will gather at the annual National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association conference to make contacts, swap information, and learn new techniques. The wildlife centers set up lodging, local transportation, and meetings with their directors and veterinarians. Conservation India wildlife rehabilitators
10,000 Birds
OCTOBER 10, 2014
This is more of a cautionary tale about one of the perils lying in wait for wildlife rehabilitators who decide to take shortcuts. Birds releasing birds wildlife rehabilitators What follows will not be elegant artspeak about how certain photographers can capture not only the beauty but the spirit of wild birds, although my friend Russ Cusick , who took these photos, has certainly produced some of my favorite avian images.
10,000 Birds
JULY 31, 2015
This post is from Lisa Beth Acton, a wildlife rehabilitator in Accord, NY. Lisa brings her to all kinds of gatherings to spread the word of wildlife (see Xena’s Facebook page ). They were not aware of wildlife laws, and thought they could raise and release them. Birds common ravens Lisa Acton Lisa Beth Acton wildlife rehabilitatorShe has a captive-bred education bird named Xena, a Eurasian Eagle Owl.
10,000 Birds
NOVEMBER 1, 2013
This story comes from Melissa Gillmer, a zookeeper and wildlife rehabilitator at the Bear Mountain Zoo. Birds black vultures Ospreys Turkey Vultures wildlife rehabilitators The zoo is part of Bear Mountain State Park , a glorious expanse of mountainous land on the west side of the Hudson River in New York. When Melissa’s sister Danielle wanted to do some volunteer work at the zoo, Melissa decided to put her to work cleaning out the Black Bear den.
10,000 Birds
NOVEMBER 5, 2012
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. This is not protecting hunters’ rights; this is taking away a law that protects the health of both hunters and wildlife.
10,000 Birds
SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
When using a regular hospital cage, the wildlife rehabilitator reaches in, picks up the bird, transfers him to another cage, cleans the original one, then returns the bird. Birds wild bird caging wild bird hospital wildlife rehabilitators One summer my father came to visit from his home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
10,000 Birds
DECEMBER 4, 2015
My work as a wildlife rehabilitator over the past forty-five years has allowed me a unique perspective on a disturbing trend. Consider this: ninety percent of birds treated at wildlife centers are admitted as a result of human interactions that have nothing to do with “nature.” Ironically, the time when a person first finds and brings in or reports an injured bird is the ideal time for education, potentially turning that person into one who appreciates wildlife for life.
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 15, 2014
My very first rescue was a House Sparrow caught in a glue trap,” says Donna Osburn, a wildlife rehabilitator in Kentucky. I tell people DO NOT try to remove the bird,” says Maureen Eiger of Wildlife Care Alliance in Virginia, who gets calls from people who put glue traps in their garage, leave the garage door open, and catch birds instead of mice. Birds birds glue traps glue traps sticky traps wildlife rehabilitator
10,000 Birds
SEPTEMBER 23, 2016
This blog was written by Sherry Turner Teas, a rehabber in Chattanooga, Tennessee: It started out as a normal day for a wildlife rehabilitator here in Tennessee – giving medicine, cleaning cages, and feeding baby birds. I called my vet, all my fellow rehabbers, and I posted for help in the Wildlife Rehabbers Blog Group on Facebook. Birds birds and spiders birds black widows birds eating spiders Sherry Turner Teas wildlife rehabilitator
10,000 Birds
JUNE 28, 2013
A wildlife rehabilitator friend, newly licensed, recently called to ask if he could feed a recovering Turkey Vulture anything besides defrosted rodents. Birds raptors turkey vulture wildlife rehabilitators Did I have an answer for him. Normally I feed vultures, as well as hawks and owls, defrosted mice and rats. Sometimes a defrosted chick.
10,000 Birds
NOVEMBER 7, 2014
Such is the sad truth of die-hard wildlife rehabilitators, who can’t even go on a simple bike ride without feeling compelled to rescue birds who either don’t exist or turn out to be perfectly healthy. Birds crows wildlife rehabilitators Look in the middle, just over the trees: there’s a big flock of birds up there. Same thing with the photo below. So: on a beautiful fall afternoon, my friend Ardal and I decided to go to for a bike ride.
10,000 Birds
JULY 12, 2013
No other wildlife rehabilitators could respond to the call, and Lisa was two hours away. Birds Cooper''s Hawks eagles wildlife rehabilitates “You’ve gotta help me,” said my rehabber friend Lisa Acton. There’s a guy in Ossining and he swears he has two baby eagles in his back yard. I told him they’re probably not eagles, but he says they’re definitely eagles. He said they were so hungry they ate ham and fruit off a plate.”. They what?” I said, alarmed. “He
10,000 Birds
SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
I knew the wildlife. I have a book about injured wildlife coming out soon, and I couldn’t buy better publicity.”. This unlucky/lucky young Red-tailed Hawk was found and taken to Red Creek Wildlife Care in Pennsylvania. A recent thread on my Raptorcare listserv produced one wildlife rehabilitator’s nightmarish photo of a leghold trap firmly clutching the leg of a Great Horned Owl. This is the kind of insanity that goes on with leghold traps.
10,000 Birds
JUNE 17, 2016
I reacted that way because I’m a wildlife rehabilitator. Birds wildlife rehabilitatorThis is about two birds flapping, not one, but I needed a title. So the other day I was sitting at my outdoor table, minding my own business, when two birds came sailing around the house and nearly took my head off. I don’t know what the issue was – trespassing, lovers’ quarrel, uneven division of parental duty – but one was out to get the other.
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