songbirds

Found a (naked) baby bird on the ground?

The best course of action is to put the bird in a nest up off the ground, close to where you’ve found it (within earshot distance), then affix it on a post or a branch away from access by cats. Songbird parents will call and find their babies, then come and continue to feed them. If the nest is destroyed, you can also use a berry basket and line it with grass.  A zip-tied real or fake next away from the ground will help the baby songbird to stay away from predators. 

The same applies for fledglings on the ground. Trust that the parents will them too until they can fly. Thank you!

Solving and preventing conflicts

The following tips apply to most songbirds. Although rarely responsible for property damage, songbirds sometimes behave in ways that may injure themselves and perplex humans.

When songbirds fly into windows

Songbirds sometimes fly into windows and other reflective surfaces. Among the possible reasons:
– Windows may reflect nearby vegetation, therefore the birds think they are flying into real branches and shrubs.
– Buildings with picture windows can create an illusion of open space, especially if they are reflecting the sky.
– Birds may fly into glass if they see houseplants near the windows.

Prevention is key

Prevention includes making the glass as visible as possible and breaking up the reflections from outdoors.
Feather-friendly window markers prevent birds from hitting windows in the first place. They are available online.
Hang windsocks or other decorative items in front of the window.
Move houseplants away from glass, and close curtains over windows and sliding glass doors.

Helping an injured songbird

Songbirds who fly into glass can hurt or even kill themselves. If you find a songbird injured by striking a window, wait a few minutes as he may recover and fly away. If he is unconscious or remains stunned after a few minutes, gently pick the bird up in a towel and put him in a ventilated box.
Contact the closest licensed wildlife rehabilitation centre to you that cares for songbirds.
If you live in the Okanagan that is the BC Wildlife Park (BCWP) in Kamloops.

When birds attack your windows

During breeding season, male songbirds become territorial, and particularly flickers may exhibit a puzzling behaviour. Perceiving an intruder when they see their reflections in a window or other reflective surface, they may attack windows and car mirrors. They may repeatedly peck or fly at the glass for several days or as long as they can see their reflections.

To reduce the reflection, brighten the indoors with a light by a window. It also helps to close drapes or shades and to cover outside windows with bird netting, screen, paper, or fabric. Cover car mirrors with plastic bags or fold them against the side of the car so the reflective surfaces are hidden.