Human-related causes leave birds susceptible to injury and death.
During their spring migration, billions of birds fly from their southern wintering habitats.
Hatchlings and Nestlings
During spring
migration, birds search for suitable nesting areas, attract and bond with
mates, and lay eggs that eventually hatch into young birds. Those first few
weeks of weaning and learning to live are critical for baby birds.
During the
hatchling stage, which lasts up to three days, parents constantly care for them,
ensuring they are fed and kept warm. Hatchlings typically have bald, pink
bodies and can quickly perish without adequate warmth.
As nestlings,
they are slightly older and still under their parents’ care, but they start to
show more defined features. This stage usually lasts between 3 and 13 days.
Their beaks and legs become more pronounced, and feathers begin to grow in,
usually as soft, downy feathers that can be yellow or white in color.
In either stage,
if you find a bird on the ground, it may have fallen from its nest. Try to
locate the nest and return the bird to it as quickly as possible. (Touching the
bird with your hands will not cause the mother to reject it; that’s just a
myth.)
Different bird
species nest in various ways. While some build traditional cup-shaped nests,
others, such as starlings, use openings or cavities for their nests. Depending
on the species, it’s a good idea to also check for openings above you, such as
a wall vent, while returning a baby bird to its nest.
I’ve rescued
starling nestlings that had fallen from a nest, made in an outdoor
apartment building vent, after their mother had not returned, likely because
she was killed. I’ve also helped trapped starling
juveniles escape from an obstructed, coverless electrical box on a
utility pole—both ideal nesting sites for starlings because of their
cavity-like structure. In any case, in these types of situations, it’s best to
consult your local wildlife rehabilitators for expert advice on locating the
nest of a fallen baby bird.
If the nest is
too high, an alternative is to create a makeshift nest using materials like
plastic containers or baskets with vents. Fill the makeshift nest with natural
materials, such as dead leaves, twigs, and grass, and place it as close as
possible to the original nest. Avoid using materials like construction paper,
cardboard boxes, or anything that absorbs water. Also, secure the nest to
prevent it from falling—for example, by using a string—and add twigs or
branches extending outside the nest to help the bird exit as it grows.
If the nest is
inaccessible or you can’t create a makeshift one, consult a wildlife
rehabilitation center or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for advice. If they
instruct you to bring the bird in, do so immediately. In case immediate
relocation isn’t possible, remember that hatchlings need supplemental heat.
You can use a
heat warmer or a warmed sock of rice (heated in the microwave) by placing a
couple of paper towels or sheets on top as a barrier to prevent overheating or
burns. Then, lay the bird securely in a sealed, well-ventilated box that is
clearly marked, in a location free from disturbances. (More information on how
to properly contain a bird is provided below.)
This is only a
temporary measure until the bird can be safely relocated. In almost all cases,
do not provide food or water to an injured bird, as there is a risk of
aspiration and further complications if handled without proper expertise. This
caution is especially important for young birds, and similar care should also
be taken with adult birds.
Fledglings
Fledgling birds
(around 13-14 days old or older) are still under their parents’ care but are
becoming semi-independent. They are usually mobile, hopping around and
attempting to fly, although they may only flutter at first.
At this stage,
they have more feathers but not enough for full flight. In almost every case,
their parents are nearby, watching from a distance as the fledglings learn to
navigate their surroundings.
Here, the biggest
threat to fledglings emerges—cats. In North America, cats are among the top human-related causes of death for wild birds, and
fledglings are the easiest targets because they cannot escape quickly. “It’s
estimated that cats kill 1.3-4 billion birds each year in the U.S.
alone,” according to Cornell Lab of Ornithology. In fact, cats
are responsible for “one-third of the 800 U.S. native bird species to be
endangered or in significant decline,” stated CBS News in 2023.
If you love
feeding birds, watching them, and listening to their sounds, please consider
providing your cat with an enriched indoor lifestyle that discourages outdoor
wandering. If your cat must go outside, attach a bell to its collar so birds
can hear and avoid it. Cats pose a threat to birds at every stage of a bird’s life.
Sometimes,
well-intentioned people may accidentally “rescue” a fledgling, mistakenly
thinking they are injured due to a lack of flight or being stuck in a
precarious location. If you come across a bird and are unsure whether it needs
help, consider the time of year. In the spring, for instance, the bird may
simply be a grounded fledgling rather than an injured adult. Also, note the
location: unless the bird is isolated in an area devoid of structures or
vegetation, it likely does not need intervention. Record its condition; If the
bird is mobile, hopping, and apprehensive when approached, it’s best to leave
it alone.
Remember that the
parents are likely nearby, allowing the fledgling to learn how to navigate its
environment, avoiding predators, all while stepping in as needed to feed and
nurture it. The best way to ensure a wild baby bird reaches its full potential
is to leave it with its parents. You can confirm that a fledgling is being
cared for by stepping back and monitoring it for a while. The parents will
eventually swoop down to attend to the bird and then fly off again.
However, if there
are imminent dangers nearby—such as cats, heavy foot traffic, car traffic, or
harsh weather—it is acceptable to move the bird to a nearby bush or small tree.
If you’re uncertain about the situation, call a wildlife rehabilitation center.
Juveniles
At this stage,
juvenile birds in most species are essentially on their own. They’ve learned
where to forage and fly and are aware of nearby threats. They still retain a
youthful appearance, characterized by large, bright eyes and the occasional
remnant of baby feathers. In the case of juvenile pigeons, however, they may
remain nest-bound until they eventually take flight on their own. Once birds
are capable of flight, they face a new danger from reflective and transparent
windows and glass, which can confuse and injure them.
Adults
Migratory adult
birds travel hundreds of thousands of miles during migration and breeding
season to seek rest and resources for themselves and their young. Many of these
birds are migratory, visiting our cities as they search for potential breeding
resources while passing through, and are unfamiliar with these places.
Meanwhile, native birds, more familiar with the terrain, also migrate and come
and go. These birds brave all types of weather and threats and play a critical
role in global biodiversity. Without birds, the rest of the world would suffer.
The chirping of
birds is music to our ears, but they play a far more crucial role in
maintaining balance in nature and are essential to the survival of many
species, including humans. Listing out the numerous “ecosystem services” they
provide, the National Audubon Society stated,
“Birds keep farmers in business. They protect our drinking water by preventing
erosion. They slow the spread of disease. They keep the furniture industry
supplied with timber. They provide critical environmental data. The list
continues ad infinitum.”
How Windows
Are a Threat to Birds
Despite the
services provided by birds, humans and their indiscriminate anthropogenic
activities pose a significant threat to bird survival, especially with
windows due to their reflective and transparent surfaces. Surprisingly, it
is residential areas, not commercial ones, that account for most of these
collisions. When confronted with glass, birds often fail to realize that a
solid barrier separates them from their intended destination.
Reflective glass
specifically will showcase the landscape behind the bird—a blue sky, trees, or
another inviting scene. When birds see these mirages of accessible space,
whether it exists ahead of them or behind, they fly toward the glass at full
speed. In a collision, their beaks strike the glass, often resulting in
immediate injury and, many times, death. Internal bleeding may occur due to
damage to internal structures in the skull, and concussions are virtually
inevitable.
Depending on the
bird’s size and speed, other body parts, such as its wings, may also be
injured, causing it to fall. Unfortunately, this fall can be fatal, especially
if the collision itself is severe or if the bird lands on a hard surface. On
the ground, the bird is more vulnerable than ever to threats like being stepped
on, run over, or preyed on.
A 2014 study by
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Smithsonian Institution on the
number of bird deaths due to glass collision revealed that such accidents
“likely kill between 365 million and 1 billion birds annually in the United
States, with a median estimate of 599 million,” stated the American Bird Conservancy.
Most of the time,
a bird hits a window and bounces off it with no significant injuries. However,
since the bird has been flying at 15 to 20 miles per hour, it will likely have
more than just a headache.
“Birds that are
stunned by window collisions often are in treatment for at least a day before
dying, demonstrating the gradual lethality of window collisions. Unseen
injuries such as bruising, eye ulcers, and fractures prevent them from
continuing their annual migratory journeys,” according to a 2024 American Bird Conservancy article.
Migration seasons
are when we see the most window strikes. If you come across an injured adult
bird on the ground, assume it is wounded and quickly place it in a box (brown
paper bags work well for quick transport to a rehabilitation center). Ensure
that the box is sealed (to prevent escape), ventilated (to allow breathing),
and clearly marked (to avoid it being mistaken for trash). Leaving the bird in
an unprotected box outside makes it vulnerable to further threats like weather
exposure, predation, and accidental abuse.
Bring the bird
inside your workplace or home and keep it in a warm, dark, and quiet
location—away from disturbances such as children, pets, and loud noises. This
minimizes bright light exposure that could aggravate concussion symptoms,
conserves its energy by keeping its metabolism low, and reduces stress (which
can be fatal for both wild and domestic birds). It’s essential not to offer
food or water, as an injured bird might aspirate them, which can complicate its
condition and treatment.
After securing
the bird, call your local wildlife rehabilitation center. Resources like Animal Help Now and
the Ohio Wildlife
Rehabilitators Association can help you locate one nearby.
Another excellent
resource for information on protecting birds from collisions at home is
the consumer guide produced by the Ornithology Center, the
outreach arm of the Acopian Center for Ornithology at Muhlenberg College.
When contacting a
rehabilitation organization or individual, explain precisely what happened,
describe the bird, and detail what you have done so far. If the incident occurs
during the fall migration season, the rehab center might recognize it as a
typical window collision injury. In the spring, however, they may need to
ensure the bird is not a fledgling mistakenly “kidnapped” from its nesting area
before advising you on further steps.
It is essential
never to re-release a bird that has suffered a window collision until a
certified expert has treated it. Even if it seems fine or starts flapping about
in the box, untreated injuries such as internal bleeding or concussions can
become life-threatening once the bird is released.
But reality is
harsh. Even if all the correct steps are taken in bringing this bird inside and
to a rehab, a large percentage of injured birds brought into expert care simply
cannot be saved, no matter how compassionate and effective the staff is. The old
saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” holds in these
cases.
How You Can
Help Birds
“The most likely
reason that you may have found a stunned bird is that it has hit a window,
either in a home or in some other type of building. Many people think that
pesticides or vehicle collisions are the most significant risks that birds
face; that is not the case. The greatest dangers to birds are bird window
collisions and uncontrolled cats. Each causes 1 to 2 billion bird deaths per
year,” says Jim Cubie, consultant to the Muhlenberg College Center for
Ornithology, where he advises on bird safety and native plants. According to
him, at least 70 percent of birds that hit a window die, even if they are
brought to a rehabilitation center.
Preventing window
collisions is the key. Using effective deterrents and products can break up the reflective surface of glass,
alerting birds to the barrier. Applying decals or dots in a 2-inch by 2-inch
grid outside windows can be very effective.
“Scientifically
validated bird window collision systems are 95 percent effective, affordable,
and easy to install. Putting a bell on cats can cut avian mortality by about 50
percent. There are all sorts of things out there claiming that they can prevent
bird window collisions, and many of them are just flat misleading advertising.
Don’t listen to a friend who says they have installed decals and haven’t had a
bird strike. Unless decals are correctly installed, they are ineffective,”
Cubie added.
Just as important
is mitigating the effects of lights during migration season. Turning off
lights as early as possible, especially during this time of the year,
is essential. Lights can confuse migrating birds and disrupt their migration
paths, causing them to land too early, crash into glass, or become disoriented,
which prevents them from reaching their breeding destinations successfully.
More information on how to help birds is available on the American Bird
Conservancy website.
Cats and windows
are deadly for birds, but habitat destruction is the biggest
threat to wild birds globally. The never-ending urbanization of
natural areas and the expansion of suburban sprawl are especially problematic
in the United States. Additionally, society’s focus on manicured lawns and bird
feeders rather than naturalized areas with native, bird-friendly forbs and
grasses deprives birds of vital food and shelter.
Do your part to
prevent biodiversity loss by incorporating native vegetation that sustains your
local wild bird population. Consider leaving leaves on the ground in the fall,
and be mindful of where you trim in the spring. Bird-proof your windows and keep
your cats entertained indoors.
Join local
conservation groups and initiatives. For example, you might participate in your
local environmental advisory council to promote bird-safe ventures and
practices in your community, especially with support from organizations
like Bird Town Pennsylvania,
if you live in the state. You can also help monitor and transport window
collision victims with groups like Bird Safe
Philly, or lend a hand remotely with organizations like the NYC Bird Alliance.
If you’re using
feeders and baths, refresh them daily and clean them weekly to minimize the
spread of bacteria among birds. Read up on bird behavior, their challenges, and
the latest conservation science to better understand what more you can do to
help.
An earlier version of this article was published by OneBeautifulPlanet.org.
This version was produced by Earth
• Food • Life, a project of the Independent Media Institute.
“How to Help Wild Birds During Their Spring and Fall Migrations”
by Jairus
James is licensed by the Observatory under a Creative
Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC
BY-NC-SA 4.0). For permissions requests beyond the scope of this license,
please see Observatory.wiki’s Reuse and Reprint Rights guidance.
Jairus James is an environmental and animal rights
advocate.