Rescue Guide – Pigeon
1. Don’t Be Afraid
- The pigeon is the symbol of peace for a reason. There is nothing the pigeon can do to hurt you.
- Fears of disease transmission from pigeons are largely unfounded. Most pigeon diseases only transmit to other birds, not to people. All you have to do is wash your hands with soap.
- Lice and mites on birds are species-specific. This means they only live on birds, not humans. Keep the bird away from your body and wash your hands afterwards. Read full article (pdf)>>
What’s Wrong – Pigeon
Baby pigeons are often snatched away from their nests and put down on the ground by construction workers or store owners who don’t think about what will happen to those babies afterwards. Read full article (pdf)
How to Rescue a Bird that has Hit a Window:
When finding an injured bird, you have the obligation to bring it to a federally licensed rehabilitator as soon as possible, but no longer than 24 hours after you found the bird.
Keeping a wild animal in your possession without a federal permit is against the law. Find out what materials you need to approach the bird. Read full article(pdf)
I Found a Baby Bird. Now What?
Only adults should rescue baby birds. Before rescuing adult birds, seek guidance from a wildlife rehabilitator. Step by step visual instructions are included in this article» (pdf)
Domestic Cat Predation on Birds and Other Wildlife
How many birds and other wildlife do domestic cats kill each year in the U.S.?
Exact numbers are unknown, but scientists estimate that nationwide, cats kill hundreds of millions of birds, and more than a billion small mammals, such as rabbits, squirrels, and chipmunks, each year. Cats kill common species such as Cardinal, Blue Jay, and House Wren, as well as rare and endangered species such as Piping Plover, Florida Scrub-Jay, and California Least Tern. Learn more»(pdf)
What to Do if You Find an Injured Woodcock
Approach the Woodcock from behind, opposite of the way its beak is pointing. Woodcocks startle easily and may try to take off if it sees you approaching, which could further damage its feathers.
Don’t be afraid to throw a towel or sweater over the bird. This calms the bird down and makes it easier for you to catch it.
Cup your hands around the bird and tuck it into a paper bag. Woodcocks are jumpy and have thin skin on their heads. A Woodcock in a box or cat carrier runs the risk of splitting its head open.
Contact The Wild Bird Fund or another federally licensed wild bird rehabilitator for inspection and release.
About the American Woodcock
- Woodcocks are active from dusk to midnight, and Woodcock activity seems to peak a few days before a full moon.
- Woodcocks nest from late March to early June, and eggs hatch from early April to mid-June.
- Woodcocks nest on the ground.
Unfortunately, along with the Common Snipe, the American Woodcock is one of two shorebirds still legally hunted in the United States.
