Also known as passerines, perching birds and songbirds constitute the largest category of birds. Almost three-fifths of the world’s birds, approximately 5,100 species, belong to this group.

Habitat: Passerines are found in all habitats, including fields, forests, mountains, wetlands, tundra, and cities.

Diet: Food preference is dependent on species. Generally speaking, passerines are divided between insect-eaters and seed-eaters.

Problem: Birds often fly into windows.

Solutions:

1. Draw the drapes or blinds or place a bright light inside the window to reduce the reflection.
2. Hang strips of yarn, colored plastic, or windchimes from the window.
3. Purchase a silhouette of a hawk or an owl and apply to the window. (Hawks and owls are predators, and so smaller birds will avoid them.)

Problem: A single bird has flown into the chimney.

Solution: With the fire screen closed so that the bird cannot enter the room, open the fireplace damper and wait. The bird will eventually come down to the bottom. You can then catch it with a towel or a net and safely release it outside.

Note: A variety of species-specific bird problems can happen. For information on dealing with specific problems, various wildlife manuals can be helpful.

You can take the following steps to reduce or eliminate the spread of disease at your birdfeeders and birdbaths.

• During warm months, thoroughly clean birdfeeders and birdbaths once a month. During cold winter months, sanitize your feeders and birdbaths during a break in the weather.

1. Rid the feeder or birdbath of all food or water.
2. Use a solution of one-part bleach to nine-parts water.
3. Scrub all surfaces with the solution and make sure all edges and corners are scraped clean.
4. Rinse thoroughly and let dry before putting in new seed or water.
5. If seed has accumulated under a feeder, rake or shovel it and spread it around so it will dry. This prevents the buildup of molds and bacteria.
6. Store bird feed in an area where rodents cannot access it. If rodent droppings are in evidence, or if there is any indication that rodents have chewed or gotten into the feed, dispose of it. Do not feed it to any wildlife.

• Prepare a small box by poking holes in it. Put a T-shirt in the bottom of the box. Place a hand towel over the songbird, pick it up, and place it into the box. Cover the box with a lid and leave it in a dark, warm, quiet place for 45 minutes. Then take the box outside and remove the lid. If the songbird has recovered from the stun, it will fly up and away. If it does not, it needs help immediately. Call a rehabilitator.

• Do not light a fire. Call a wildlife rehabilitator. Often a bird will damage its wings in an attempt to fly out of a chimney.

• If the bird falls into hot coals, remove it as safely as possible. Use your ash shovel to scoop the bird out, then place it in a box and cover it. Call a wildlife rehabilitator immediately.

• Installing a chimney cap will prevent birds from becoming trapped in your chimney. Always have your chimney checked before installing a cap.

Reuniting a Baby Bird with Its Mother

• If the nest can be located and reached, put the nestling back in the nest. (Hopefully, the presence of other nestlings will help you identify the correct nest.) Then go a distance away from the nest, preferably in a house, and watch the nest for half an hour. If no parents come to the nest, something has happened to them. Bring all of the birds in the nest to the rehabilitation center as soon as possible. If the parents return to the nest, you’ve reunited the family.

• Birds have no sense of smell. Touching nestlings does not prevent the parents from caring for them.

• If the nestling cannot be returned to its nest, and if the bird is cold to the touch, cup it in your hands to warm it and bring it to the rehabilitation center as soon as possible.

• If the bird cannot be returned to its nest but is warm, prepare a small box by poking holes in it and take socks or a knit cap and form it into a nest inside the box. Place the bird into the nest you’ve made and put the nest in the box. Cover the box and bring it to the rehabilitation center immediately.

• If the birds are cold to the touch, cup them in your hands to warm them.

• Take a plastic container or a wicker basket not much larger than the nest; poke holes in the bottom for drainage and for attaching wires. Put two pieces of wire through the bottom of the container. Place the nest into the container, making sure that the nest sits above the edge of the container. Put the nest in its container on a limb near the trunk of the tree. Put the warmed birds into the nest.

• Go a distance away from the nest, preferably in a house, and watch the nest for half an hour. If no parents come to the nest, something has happened to them. Bring all the birds to the rehabilitation center as soon as possible. If the parents return, you’ve done a great job!

• Take a plastic container or a wicker basket not much larger than the nest; poke holes in the bottom for drainage and for attaching wires. Put two pieces of wire through the bottom of the container. Place the nest into the container, making sure that the nest sits above the edge of the container. Put the nest in its container on a limb near the trunk of the tree. Put the warmed birds into the nest.

• Go a distance away from the nest, preferably in a house, and watch the nest for half an hour. If no parents come to the nest, something has happened to them. Bring all the birds to the rehabilitation center as soon as possible. If the parents return, you’ve done a great job!

• Many times people find birds hopping around on the ground as they are learning to fly. People think that if a bird is unable to fly, something is wrong with it. If the bird is hopping and spreading its wings, it should only be observed for now. Watch from the house to see if the parents come to the bird or if the bird hops toward the adults. If so, the bird is okay.

• If the bird has flies around it, something is wrong and it needs to be brought to the rehabilitation center.

• If the bird sits and is unable to hop, or if the bird attempts to hop and falls, it is injured and needs to be brought to the rehabilitation center immediately.

• When fledglings are in the area, keep your dogs and cats restrained for a few days and keep children away from the area to give the birds a better chance to learn to fly and to allow the parents to feed them.

Home | History/Mission | Pennsylvania Wildlife | Education |
News | Links | Contact Us | Wish List | You Can Help