Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research

Tips on Living With Wildlife

The vast majority of birds that Tri-State receives are injured as a result of human activity. There are many things you can do that will help reduce injuries to birds and other wildlife.

Keep cats indoors

Free-roaming cats are estimated to kill millions of birds, and billions of small wild animals annually. Cat predation is a serious problem. Even birds that escape are likely to die if not treated because of bacteria in cats' saliva and internal injuries. Cats are also healthier if kept inside. For more information go to http://www.abcbirds.org/cats/

Know when and when not to "rescue wildlife, especially during breeding season.

As a general rule, leave infant wildlife alone. Many healthy baby birds come to us every spring by well meaning people. They are essentially "birdnapped. If a nestling falls from the nest and appears uninjured, it can be returned to the nest. It is not true that the parent will reject it if you touch it. Fledglings are like adolescents, they have left the nest but are still dependant on parents for food and protection. While working on their flight skills, fledglings hop a lot, and are often mistaken as injured.

Reduce or eliminate your use of chemicals for pest control and lawn care.

These poison wildlife and have a devastating impact on our environment as the runoff carries them into waterways. http://contaminants.fws.gov/Issues/Pesticides.cfm

Spring cleaning, look before you leap.

Most people are sprucing up their yards at the height of breeding season. Before you trim that bush or cut down a tree, check to make sure there are no nests that will be destroyed or wildlife in cavities that may be injured. Always check the ground before you mow. If there is a nest, wait until the young has fledged (only a couple of weeks) before doing any trimming.

Pick up litter that could harm wildlife

Such as six-pack rings (cut each circle before discarding) monofilament fishing line, fishing hooks, string, balloons, and other trash.

Take down unused soccer and volleyball nets

Birds become entangled in them, especially raptors that hunt at night and cannot see the nets.

Place caps on chimneys and screens vents

To prevent birds and other animals from taking up residence and becoming a nuisance or getting trapped.

Properly dispose of motor oil

Do not leave oil in pans. Birds often mistake them for water and become coated in the toxic substance.

Gardening for wildlife

Chose native plants for your yard that provide shelter, nesting sites, and natural foods for birds. Dead trees, or snags, provide great homes for wildlife. Water is also vital to wildlife, especially in the winter when other sources may be frozen over.

Prevent window strikes

Any measures that eliminate window reflections will prevent window strikes which can injure birds, often fatally. Hanging streamers, putting bird silhouettes on the glass surface, or soaping the windows are all ways to reduce reflections.

Do not attempt to raise or keep wildlife yourself

It is illegal and wild creatures do not make good pets since captivity poses a constant stress to them. Young wild animals raised without contact with their own species fail to develop survival skills and a healthy fear of humans thereby virtually eliminating their chances of survival in the wild. If you find an injured animal, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator, animal shelter, or state wildlife agency.

Educate children to respect wildlife

Children should be taught that wild creatures are not playthings and they should be admired from a distance. Children should also be told not to touch eggs, destroy nests, burrows and other wildlife homes.