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22 | OHCC LIVING | AUGUST 2020 | Birdwatchers Lately I have had several phone calls from residents distressed about injured or abandoned birds. First of all, let's come right out and say it: birds die in the wild all the time, whether after being predated by another species, or through falling out of a nest, or because of old age or disease, or as the result of being abandoned by parents who know that they have too many in the brood and need to 'let the weak ones go.' Because we don't see it happening most of the time, we find it shocking when we do. It doesn't necessarily mean we should ignore the suffering bird, but we should try to get the situation in perspective. Putting a chick back in the nest may simply lead to it being thrown out again because there just isn't room. Doves are the worst parents. They build loose, insecure nests in precarious locations, then, when the youngsters have fledged (or fallen out), they seem to ignore them and leave them to fend for themselves. It is not unusual to see a small scruffy baby dove wandering around aimlessly. Sometimes the parent will look for it later in the day and offer it food, or accompany it on a foraging expedition. At other times the chick will provide a welcome meal for a Cooper's hawk. Yes, that's a horrible process to watch, but it is part of nature's food chain. Humans naturally feel sympathy or even guilt about animals in trouble. Sometimes it is our fault, such as when a bird hits a window. Then we understandably feel we must act – keep the little creature warm, offer it water, until it comes to its senses and is able to fly away. I have done this a number of times. Diseases in some birds can also be the fault of humans. Recently I had a cute hummingbird visiting my feeder. I took a number of photos and noticed that his beak was badly misshapen. After some research I discovered he had a fungal infection often caused by drinking at dirty feeders – not mine, as I clean them thoroughly every couple of days. This disease is usually fatal and highly contagious. The first thing I had to do was take down the nectar, disinfect the feeder, then wait a week to 10 days before rehanging it. Even then I had to watch to make sure that the poor thing was not going to return. He didn't, so my other hummers were safe. Finches, too, are subject to a nasty disease which causes unnatural growth around the beak and often leaves them blind. Again, the only thing we can do is take down any feeders to protect the healthy birds. It's no good taking the bird to a vet or rehabilitator, since it would pose a danger to other patients and the disease itself is incurable. Recently I watched a Red-shouldered Hawk being harassed by several Kingbirds. One was pecking at its head. Afterwards the hawk appeared stunned. It sat in a small tree for several hours with one wing held up. I was very concerned because I knew that this hawk was one of a pair nesting in a nearby pine tree. Both adults were needed to care for the nestlings, one to guard the nest and the other to hunt for food. This was my cue to act. I called Project Wildlife in Oceanside. This is a wonderful organization that rescues raptors and even smaller birds. However, I was told that I had to entice the hawk out of the tree, as they could only pick it up from the ground. Not only that, but they preferred that I conveyed it to the center myself. Hawks have very large, dangerous talons and razor-sharp beaks, so I didn't want to risk it. I tried a few other places – Wildlife Assist and Raptor Rescue – but no one was available. In the end, I watched for another hour or so until, eventually the hawk flew. Yeah! Project Wildlife should be your first call if you find a bird in trouble (619-299-7012). Someone will advise you whether the bird is worth saving and, if it is, how to care for it until you can take it in to their rescue center. It's no good taking a bird in this state to a rehabilitator, since it would pose a danger to other patients and the disease is incurable. ~ Ann Baldwin Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, and time.

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