Sticky Situations

Those of us who deal with wildlife on a daily basis tend to forget that probably 99.9% of the general public don't. Consequently, we are astounded at some of the calls we get and can't understand why a particular wildlife situation is so major or seemingly life-threatening to the average citizen. However, we must remember that we were all novices once and try to associate ourselves with the person who has the real or perceived wildlife problem.

Many people have phobias about birds- songbirds, hummingbirds, hawks- all of ‘em. Two of our staff members, who started out as volunteers, came to us with "bird fear". After years of working with birds they are now extremely adept at dealing with even the largest of the birds of prey, and are probably the most sympathetic toward those who call with their "besieged by birds' stories.

Following are a few bird situations and how they can be handled just by knowing the innate behaviors of certain species. Spring and summer are the most popular times for these behaviors to occur, simply because it's the mating and birthing season for most of our native wildlife.

Some species of songbirds and birds of prey will go to great lengths to protect their nests, eggs or young. Throughout this season, calls come in from businesses about wanton attacks by birds on clientele who are simply attempting to enter the restaurant, department store or other place of business. These reports, ranging from mockingbirds to Cooper's hawks actually drawing blood from citizens who are only trying to accomplish a little shopping or dining, are not taken lightly, but can generally be handled either over the phone or by a quick visit from a person knowledgeable in bird behavior. We have successfully diffused a few potentially volatile situations and/or lawsuits to businesses by providing the following information:

Birds of all species will endeavor to protect their eggs or babies from those who venture too close to their nest sites. Parent birds will attempt to drive off the perceived intruder, even if it's just a 70 year-old lady who only wants to buy a new dress from her local Nordstrom's for her next tea party. There is a certain area around the nest site that is the territory of the bird, and this is the area she will protect. Blocking off this territory and making it inaccessible to people will eliminate these attacks. Note the bird's perimeters, and how far she will fly to protect the nest. Usually 15 or 20 feet from the nest is far enough for a songbird. The only problem with this is what poor fool is going to be the perimeter tester. This blocking is by far the most successful method. Some businesses have even put up signs to let the public know why an area is blocked, and most folks are sympathetic to the bird's situation. Because our native birds of all species are federally protected, no one is allowed to move the nest or disturb the eggs or babies.

In addition to birds berating humans, they berate other birds as well. If you watch the skies this time of the year, you will see small birds harassing and dive-bombing, and hear the furious vocalizations of a bird protecting her nest. We find it funny and delightful to watch as the little kingbirds actually ride on the heads of red-tailed hawks while chewing them out! The interesting thing is that the little bird always wins. This behavior also gives one a great knowledge of which birds are nesting in what areas. Be attentive, keep your binoculars and bird book handy, and you'll soon know which birds have nests in your area.

We also get calls about birds, ranging from ravens, crows and owls, to songbirds, making too much noise in the trees. As much as I'd like to sympathize, I just can't. this is part of nature and the world which we share with other beings. Live with it or move. They belong here as much as we do.

Every year at this time, mallard hens turn up with their broods in swimming pools in quiet area neighborhoods. These ducks will venture from their usual haunts of our small lakes and ponds to nest and raise their young in a relatively predator-free area with ample low brush or shrubbery and some small water source for the young. Nothing could be more perfect than a nicely landscaped yard complete with a swimming pool, or even a mall or grocery store, pleasantly landscaped and irrigated with a drip system. Mallards love mud puddles and these shallow pools are great for helping the babies become water-proofed before joining the real world of the "big waters". Callers by the dozens also call to report females and their ducklings attempting to cross streets, or just generally traveling in areas where ducks are not usually seen. Sometimes, too, ducklings will often hop in the swimming pool with mom, but find themselves unable to get out. Each one of these situations can be handled generally without disrupting the family unit, but they must be handled cautiously and pragmatically. When ducks and their young are attempting to cross streets, never try to scoop up the babies to save them. This is dangerous for the rescuer and will cause the mother to panic in the street, fly away and possibly not return. Whenever feasible, attempt to slow the traffic by legal means to let the ducks cross the road, and hope for the best. Spooking the mother will mean orphaned youngsters, whose ability to survive without her care will be severely diminished. When ducklings wind up in swimming pools and are unable to get out, they can drown. The simplest way to help them, even though their mother may fly away, is to scoop them out of the pool onto dry land and leave the area. Having chosen this area in which to raise her young, the hen will generally return to this site when she feels that she can safely do so. Any attempts at capture and relocation of mom and babies will generally result in causing youngsters to become orphaned. Even though the babies can be caught, the hen will fly away, sensing imminent danger, and probably not return to the site. These are also federally protected birds, and no individual or organization can legally remove them from your property.

Best advice? Loosen up, enjoy them, watch the babies grow up under their mother's tender care, and before you know it, you'll be left with that "empty nest syndrome" and eagerly awaiting the hen's return next spring.

— Cindy Traisi