Save Sick, Injured, & Orphaned Birds - California

Veterinary expenses continue to be our single largest expense. In this report, we will share six of our recently rescued birds, their stories, and their veterinary expenses. Your financial support is greatly appreciated and is very needed in order for us to continue helping birds that are ill and/or injured.

Quatro is a wild Amazon parrot found with a severely injured wing that could not be repaired. A partial amputation of the wing was done by one of our veterinarians, and this surgery was actually paid for by another entity. Yay!  Quatro came into our care at the request of our veterinarian as Quatro needs extensive work to get him tame and trusting enough for us to find him a home as a pet. Wild parrots are pretty fierce birds, and it takes a great deal of time, effort, and patience to gain their trust.

Silverado is a domestic pigeon that was actually living in the wild with his parents, nest mate, and two much younger siblings. Sadly, a hawk killed both parents, attacked Silverado, and left him with a very badly broken leg. Pins were placed in the leg and had to remain in place for six very long weeks while Silverado’s shattered leg calcified and healed. Silverado had the pins removed last week, and we are doing some gentle physical therapy on his leg to help him regain the full use of his limb. Silverado’s surgery expense was $720.00

Sky (originally called Indie) is a young Indian Ringneck Parakeet. A very kind family saw a hawk flying overhead with something blue in its talons. As they watched, the hawk dropped a beautiful little bird in their yard. They immediately rescued Sky and brought her to us for care. Sky had three deep wounds from being bitten and taloned by the hawk but somehow managed to avoid any broken bones as a result of this misadventure. Sky’s wounds required suturing, and she is on pain medication and antibiotics. Sky’s veterinary expenses to date are $470.65.

Rosey G. is an adult, male, feral pigeon. He is big, he is strong, and he is not keen on attention from humans. He is a very independent fellow. Rosey’s feet were badly entangled in string causing the loss of all but two toes on one foot and resulting in the other foot becoming infected and immensely swollen. Kind people noticed that Rosey was in desperate need of help for his feet, but he eluded capture for more than two months. How this bird managed to cope with the enormous pain he was in is beyond us. At long last, Rosey was captured and brought to us for care. The infection in Rosey’s swollen foot had already moved up that leg resulting in a full leg amputation being required. Rosey has healed well and is doing just fine getting around as a one legged pigeon. Sadly, he cannot be released but will be found a wonderful home. Rosey’s veterinary expenses were $624.84.

Rojo is another gorgeous, wild, Amazon parrot. He came to us with a wing broken is such a way that it couldn’t be pinned and required splinting. Rojo has had his wing splinted four times since he came into our care with the most recent being last week. As with Quatro, Rojo is being worked with to gain his trust so we can find him the right home as a pet. Rojo’s veterinary expenses are $1542.00 thus far, and we’re not done yet.

Qoo (pronounced coo) is a 19-year-old Blue Crowned Conure. She was relinquished to a local animal shelter by her family because they felt she was too aggressive to a human toddler in their house. She did not look entirely healthy in the pictures the shelter sent us, so we immediately took her to one of our veterinarians for an exam, baseline bloodwork, and DNA sexing. Qoo does not like hands on her or in her cage but is friendly when out of the cage on her terms. She clucks, trills, and says Coo, Coo. Absolutely delightful bird that will be found the right home for her. Her initial veterinary expense was $382.20.

All these birds came into our care within the last two months as well as many more birds. Thankfully, not all of our rescues require extensive veterinary care, but when they do, we are so grateful to have all of you supporting our birds with your donations. Thank you!

Many of the birds that are brought to us for rehabilitation are victims of situations that can be easily avoided. We ask that you please keep in mind that humans have the ability to save innocent birds and animals from injury or death by simply saying no to things that are harmful to them.

One of the most heartbreaking situations is to have an innocent white ringneck dove brought to us because it was used in a ceremonial release at a wedding, funeral, or some type of special event. Please be aware that ringneck doves in the United States are completely domesticated, have no ability to find their way home, and have no ability to survive on their own. Please, just say no to the ceremonial release of any type of living creature! Though not animate objects, balloons and lanterns should also not be released as they not only frighten birds and animals that encounter them but can also be perceived as food and ingested by wildlife when they end up on the ground or in a body of water. Strings and ribbons tied to balloons can also entangle birds and animals resulting in the loss of their lives.

The adult, male, English House Sparrow caught in a glue trap was one of the fortunate ones. It was found and brought to us for care and survived. Any living creature caught in a glue trap faces a long and torturous death. There are more humane methods available that allow for the capture and relocation of unwanted rodents or insects. Please, just say no to glue traps!

For the safety of your cat as well as the safety of the wildlife in your yard, please keep your cat inside or build it an outside enclosure (catio) where it can enjoy the fresh air and sunshine without being able to predate birds and animals. Putting a bell on your cat's collar doesn't mean it can't or won't catch a fledgling bird or a baby bunny. Please, just say no to free roaming cats!

Here in Southern California baby bird season starts as early as December/January for hummingbirds with other species nesting and raising babies from February into September.  Many, many baby birds lose their homes to tree trimming done during baby bird season. Sometimes the nests can be put back in nearby trees or shrubs, but when this isn’t possible, the tiny birds become homeless and have to be brought to rehabilitators to be raised.  Humans are a poor substitute for the natural bird parents. Please, just say no to tree trimming during baby bird season!

Careless littering of things like fishing line, fishing hooks, plastic and glass bottles, plastic six-pack rings, food containers, and balloons can result in illness, injury, and death for the wildlife that falls victim to harmful litter. Always properly dispose of litter when you encounter it. Don’t litter and be caring enough to pick up harmful litter left by others. Please, just say no to littering!

Every year there are chickens, ducks, quail, rabbits, and other small animals raised in classrooms by well-meaning teachers. Sadly, many of these teachers don’t arrange for permanent homes for these little creatures when the classroom hatching project is done, and the little birds and animals end up being abandoned in public parks when they get larger, louder, and messier. People rationalize that the birds and animals will be better off in the wild. That is categorically untrue. These are domestic birds and animals with zero ability to survive on their own in the wild for their normal life spans. Easter is another time when people fail to use their good sense and make impulse purchases of the cute little birds and animals readily available at feed stores, swap meets, and pet stores. Sadly, the impulse buys also often end up being abandoned when the novelty wears off and they become inconvenient. Please, just say no to classroom hatchings and impulse buys!