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I'm going to sticky this thread because I think it's an important one. We all know what it's like looking for a doctor in the middle of the night or on a weekend in an emergency if you don't already have an established relationship with one. The same is true of wildlife rehabilitators - even more so, because you can't just drive up to any old vet's office with an injured bird and expect them to know what to do with it! And with a possible very few exceptions there are no community "birdie trauma centers" to fall back on.

Therefore, if you are hosting Bluebirds or other cavity nesting birds in nestboxes on your property, the wise thing to do is to make an acquaintance with an avian wildlife rehabilitator familiar with songbirds NOW - before any emergency ever arises. Knowing a local rehabber, or locating one, takes a lot of the stress off the finder during an emergency.

Listed below are several websites where you can find lists of licensed wildlife rehabilitators by location. These were provided to me by Linda Hufford, an avian rehabilitator in Texas - the same Linda that helped us find a rehabber near Blaine's customer during that emergency Wednesday evening. Much of the stress of that situation could have been avoided if the person had already established a relationship, or at least an acquaintance, with an avian rehabilitator near her.

Take the time now to go through these lists. They will list general rehabber info, but under each listing should be what that person is permitted for, depending on the site. Linda cautions us to note which permits each person has, and make sure they are avian permitted (federal) for songbirds before taking a bluebird to them. Since these lists may not be updated frequently, it would be best to locate the rehabber closest to you and then make contact with them now, to be sure that they are still in the area and doing rehabbing.

She says that most rehabbers list their home numbers if they accept "private" intakes. If you're calling a rehabber at home in an emergency keep in mind - they have a life, too. It is very rude to keep a sick or injured bird in your home for a couple of days, and then decide in the middle of the night that you don't really know how to take care of it! If a shelter or center is listed, they often have answering machines so it doesn't matter what time folks call there.

IWRC (International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council) at: www.iwrc-online.org (pulls up home page, on top of page is category "emergency" )

NWRA (National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association) at: www.nwrawildlife.org (pulls up home page, on left side is category "need help").

The Wildlife Rehabilitation Directory at: www.wildliferehabber.org/ (page opens with directions to locate by zip code or animal)

The Wildlife Rehablilitation Information DIrectory at: www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm (pulls up rehabbers by state or country)

Within the state of Texas: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/nature/research/rehab/main.htm (locates rehabbers by county within Texas)


WildlifeCare.org
Listings by state and international listings too.
www.wildlifecare.org/list.html


WildlifeRehabber.com
Listings by state.
wildliferehabber.com/contacts.htm

Many other states have lists of rehabbers within their state, many can be found through a good search engine by entering "wildlife rehabilitation" and the name of the state.

Not all rehabbers are listed at all sites so you may also want to contact veterinarians and state and federal agencies. Some folks are not listed at all, but prefer to receive referrals from veterinarians and state or federal (USFW) officials.

Linda also offered some additional information about rehabbers and their feelings about non-natives which may help to explain why that customer of Blaine's got the response she did from the rehabber she went to.

With her permission I'm partly quoting, party paraphrasing her response below to my question, "Is that a typical response, or is it unusual for a rehabber to be unconcerned about attacks by invasive species?"

Quote:

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Boy, you know how to ask the tough questions, don't you? Non-native care is a very touchy subject, one that has been around the rehab community for a long time. There are folks who feel very strongly both ways, and [there are] frequent outbursts on this particular subject.
Some feel it is their responsibility to accept any bird, without discrimination, which is brought to them. They find it incomprehensible that a rehabber would choose to work with one bird over another, and have a very difficult time understanding those who euthanise non-natives.

Others feel strongly that only native birds should be rehabbed. Particularly in raptor centers, non-natives are euthanised and used for food, or used as training for the accipiters (like Coopers Hawks).

I straddle the fence--I do not accept non-natives from our shelter, but when one is brought to me privately I will raise it. I strongly insist that when the bird is raised or healed that it be made a caged pet. Starlings particularly make wonderful pets, very intelligent personable birds with a varied diet (they also can speak, although not well- are actually in the mynah bird family). House sparrows are easy birds to keep, being seed-eaters they are no trouble and are good pets for children. Pigeons can be very sweet birds, also good for children because they don't "bite" and are low-maintenance. Any of these three that have been hand-raised can become quite friendly.

At our shelter, non-natives are used as 'training birds' for new folks who are interested in rehabbing.

I do not release non-natives.

But I also have a problem with those who euthanise any "sparrow" without being able to identify the species, the assumption being that any "little brown bird" will be a house sparrow. I've had finches, native sparrows, and even a tanager brought to me as "sparrows".

I've also thought about asking [your forum members] what they do with the birds once captured--it seems a waste to kill them and throw them away. Some raptor rehabbers will accept live or frozen house sparrows as food items. Re-cycling at its finest!

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I also wanted to include this list of questions that Linda posed to the person who had the injured Bluebird. In a real emergency it may save precious minutes if you know the answer to these questions before calling the rehabber.

Did the bird make an attempt to fly away? If not, that would be unusual and would probably indicate either a very severe injury or shock (most likely, shock). Is this a fledge, nestling, or adult?

How long ago did the attack occur?

Describe the injuries. Where exactly is the blood coming from? How much blood? Look at the bird head-on. Is there damage to the eyes? Is the bill held in the proper position?

Look at the bird from the top down, are the wings symetrical (both at the same angle, held at the same level)? Is the bird standing or laying down?

Is there damage only at the top of the head?

Lightly blow on the feathers on the bird's chest. Are there any puncture marks or scrapes? Any blood there?

Look at the feet, are the legs both at the same angle?

What is the general demeanor of the bird--is it alert and responsive? alert but non-responsive? lethargic?