How can I identify the species of a wild bird? When trying to determine species there are a many physical characteristics that you will need to consider. Here are a few: How big is the bird? How many inches? Is its body round or elongated? What shape is the bird’s beak? Is it long like a woodcock or a heron? Flat and rounded like a duck? Short and fat like a cardinal or a finch? Short and skinny like a warbler? What colour is the beak? What do the bird’s legs and feet look like? Are the legs long like a heron, or short like a swallow? Does it have webbing between its toes, or lobes like a grebe? What colour are the feet? What colour are the bird’s feathers? Does it have any unique or distinguishing colours or features? What habitat does the bird live in? What does it eat? Be careful when using the internet to identify bird species as often birds can be mistaken for another species. We recommend Cornell’s All About Birds lab ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/building-skills-the-4-keys-to-bird-identification/ ) It is a great resource to help you! How can I identify a Pigeon from a Mourning dove? Adult Pigeons are usually dark grey, but can also be white, brown, light grey, or any combination of the above, either solid or mottled. Mourning doves are pale brownish grey, have black spots on wings and blue “ring” of skin around the eye. Young Pigeons have yellow down when hatched. Young Mourning doves' down is white when hatched. For both species, it decreases as feathers come in and it may look like “hairs” poking through feathers. Pigeons have a long beak with a bump near their face that may appear hooked. Doves have a slimmer long beak without a bump. Pigeon babies are very large. Generally, the size of a tennis ball or bigger. Doves are medium sized babies, smaller than a racquetball ball and nestlings are very tiny. Pigeons often make loud “Peee-peee-peee” sounds and doves are usually quiet and occasionally may make soft whispery “feeeeeeee” sounds. In order to properly identify a pigeon vs a dove please email info@lenichoir.org photos or short videos of the bird with your phone number and name included. This should be done prior to coming to Le Nichoir, as we do not care for pigeons.

What should I do if I find a wild bird entangled in a fishing line or string? String, fishing line, or even cobwebs or human hair can impede a bird’s ability to move around and cause serious constriction injuries with time. Do not remove the string yourself , especially if it is imbedded in skin or tissue. If the bird is badly tangled, you can snip the string in a few places to make transport a little more comfortable then bring the bird to Le Nichoir.

I found a dead wild bird. What should I do? Most wild birds are either federally or provincially protected, and it is against the law for a member of the public to keep their remains, including feathers , without a permit. If you have found a dead wild bird, or the bird you found passed away, you should properly dispose of it. If you live in or have a natural area nearby, you can also leave a small bird tucked away in some bushes or tall grass, where it can go back to the food chain as part of nature. HPAI susceptible wild bird: If the wild bird that you found is a duck, goose or other species that are susceptible to HPAI we recommend sealing the wild bird in a garbage bag and placing it in the garbage. Ill or poisoned wild bird: If you suspect that the bird was ill, or poisoned, you can contact the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) at 450-773-8521 ext. 8346 to see if they would like to have the wild bird for testing. Banded wild bird : If the wild bird has a band on its leg and is not a pigeon , you can report the band number at 1-800-327-2263 or reportband.gov. Pigeon: If the wild bird is a pigeon and has a band on its leg, you can report to the website or phone number on the band, or check the http://www.cyberquebec.ca/pigeon ) website for more information.

I see a natural predator trying to kill a wild bird. What should I do? While cats both domestic and feral are an introduced, unnatural, subsidized predator to wild birds, birds do have a lot of natural predators. These might include hawks, foxes, crows, or snapping turtles (for waterfowl). Their numbers are controlled by the availability of food, habitat, disease, and their own predators (unlike cats). If someone sees a wild bird being attacked by a natural predator, they should not intervene. This is one situation where “letting nature take its course” is the best course of action. A predator just attacked a wild bird. Should I try to save the bird ? Most predators only have a success rate between 10-30%. They need to eat too, and when they are able to catch something, it might be their only meal for a while. Unlike house cats, who may catch a wild bird just to play with it, wild predators catch to kill and eat. The injuries inflicted almost always mean the prey bird will die or have to be euthanized. If you chase a predator off of its successful catch, not only will the injured bird almost certainly not survive but the predator will remain hungry, and will have to catch and kill another wild bird for its meal. Of course, if a wild bird is dropped by a predator, or a predator is accidentally startled from its meal, or it’s clear that the predator is not coming back for the wounded bird, the bird should be contained and brought to Le Nichoir.

Why should I keep my cat indoors ? Wildlife rehabilitators can get a reputation for being “anti-cat” but that’s far from the truth! Many of the staff and volunteers at Le Nichoir have beloved pet cats at home. We just believe strongly in keeping them indoors, both for the benefit of the birds and other native wild animals in our ecosystem. Keeping cats indoors offers significant benefits for their safety, health, and overall well-being. Indoor cats have a longer lifespan, are less exposed to diseases and parasites , and are less likely to be injured in accidents or fights with other animals. I want to keep my cat indoors to save wild birds. How can this be done? Many cats can learn how to wear a harness and walk on a leash, this way they can enjoy the outdoors with their human friends without the risk that they’ll run away and get lost, or harm any wildlife while they’re outside. Outdoor enclosures for cats called “ catios” have been getting more and more popular. These allow cats to go outside and sit in the sun and experience the outdoors, but keep both the cats and the wildlife safe. Should my cat wear a collar with a bell? Most birds will not recognize the sound of a bell to mean “danger”. Additionally, cats are stealth predators. They lie in wait motionless, then pounce. Often, the bell doesn’t make a sound until it’s too late so Le Nichoir does not suggest the use of bells.

Are cat attacks common ? If so, why? By far the most common and most severe injuries Le Nichoir sees in its patients are from cat attacks. Recent estimates put the number of wild birds killed by cats in Canada at 100 million to 350 million annually. Domestic and feral cats aren’t part of nature and aren’t natural predators of wild birds. Most birds attacked by cats result in death. Cats are not native to North America, and only spread and became common in many areas in the last two hundred years. That isn’t enough time for native species to evolve defenses against their hunting strategy. Cats have many advantages over wild birds: they have a safe home to sleep in, they have access to a veterinarian if they are injured or sick, and they are provided with food no matter how successful their hunting is. Even feral cats are usually fed and taken to the vet when they’re sick. This means that they can exist at much higher concentrations than any natural predator ever would, putting even more pressure on bird populations. I found a wild bird that was attacked by a cat. What should I do? Cats carry a lot of bacteria (especially pasteurella) in their mouths, and even a tiny puncture, often not visible, from a cat scratch or bite can cause a serious infection that can kill a bird. Cats often squeeze birds, also causing internal injuries and torn air sacs (similar to lungs). Even wild birds that look “fine” after having contact with a cat should be brought to Le Nichoir for immediate administration of antibiotics, as well as treatment of wounds and fractures. It is their best chance at survival. I found a wild bird attacked by a dog. What should I do? If a wild bird is attacked by a dog, the immediate steps are to secure the wild bird in a safe place and contact Le Nichoir 450-458-2809 for assistance. Remove the wild bird away from the dog, and place it in a cardboard box with a lid or cover, keeping it cool and calm. In most cases, a wild bird that is attacked by a dog will require a medical examination to ensure the bird does not have any external or internal injuries. There is a fledgling wild bird on the ground and I am worried it will get eaten by cats. What should I do? You're right to be concerned. Fledgling birds are vulnerable, especially in areas with cats, but seeing a fledgling on the ground isn't always a reason to intervene . The parents are almost certainly nearby, feeding and watching it , even if you can’t see them. Fledglings spend a few days to weeks on the ground learning to fly. The parents will protect their young to the best of their ability. If there are cats nearby try to keep them indoors or ask neighbors to do so temporarily. If you see a cat approaching a wild bird make sure to scare it. You can pick up the fledgling and place it on a branch or shrub within a few feet of where you found it. Placing the fledgling too far can risk the bird being abandoned by its parents. Remember that cats are not natural predators and it is not normal for them to be in the wild. Fledglings have not evolved to protect themselves from this invasive predator.

I found a wild bird egg on the ground. What should I do with it? Wild bird eggs found on the ground are seldom viable. They often fell some distance, and may have been on the ground for some time. If the egg seems intact and is from a known, active nest, it can be placed back in the nest. Be prepared it might get pushed out again as parent birds can often tell if an egg isn’t viable. How do you make an artificial cup nest? Different birds have different nesting needs. Here is a safe and simple method that mimics a natural nest: find a small plastic container or basket (like a margarine container or small flowerpot) small enough for the nestlings to fit snugly. Poke drainage holes in the bottom to prevent water accumulation. Line the artificial nest with straw, leaves, twigs and other non-absorbent materials. If the nestlings were found on the ground, try to place the artificial nest within a few feet of the original location , secured in a bush or tree using string or wire. Make sure it's out of direct sunlight, protected from rain , and away from predators. Gently place the nestlings in the nest and watch from a distance (preferably from indoors where parents can’t see you) for 2-4 hours to see if they return. It is important that artificial nests are made only when the original nest is empty and does not have other siblings. It is not guaranteed that parents can manage to care and feed two nests at one time. If there are siblings in the original nest, please call Le Nichoir 450-458-2809 or email info@lenichoir.org for more instructions. How do you make an artificial hole/cavity nest? A “jug” nest can be used for a cavity nest that has been removed or destroyed. Artificial cavity nests work best for starlings, house sparrows, chickadees, wrens, and other birds that nest in holes. The size of the container to use will depend on the species and the number of babies. In general, a 4-litre or “gallon” jug can be used for most starling and house sparrow nests: a vinegar jug, a bleach jug, a large orange juice or milk jug, etc. For smaller birds like chickadees or wrens, a 2-litre pop bottle can be used. Make sure to rinse the bottles very well. Punch a lot of holes into the bottom for drainage. Line the artificial nest with straw, leaves, and other non-absorbent materials. Draw a “U” shape on the wide side of the jug, each side about 2-inches long. Cut the “U”, leaving the top part attached. Bend the “U” up and out - this leaves a 2-inch-square opening with a little roof or awning sticking out, protecting the babies from rain and sun. Place the nest within a few feet of the original location. If the nest was removed from a vent or other hole in the house, it should be placed directly above or below the original entry point. Find a way to secure the nest before you put the babies inside. Use rope, wire, or zip ties to attach through the jug handle. Don’t use duct tape or sticky tape. Once the nest is secure in its new spot, place the babies back inside. Watch from a distance, preferably from indoors where parents can’t see you. If the parents are coming back and feeding the babies, leave them be. Most species of songbirds fledge at about 2 weeks of age, so it won’t be long before they leave the nest and move on. If after 2-4 hours there is no sign of the parents, call Le Nichoir at 450-458-2809 or send an email to info@lenichoir.org . It is important that artificial nests are made only when the original nest is empty and does not have other siblings. It is not guaranteed that parents can manage to care and feed two nests at one time. If there are siblings in the original nest, please call Le Nichoir 450-458-2809 or email info@lenichoir.org for more instructions. Sibling wild birds keep pushing one out of the nest? Should I put it back again? In some cases, siblings may push other siblings out of the nest. This can be due to one of the bird’s being injured, competition in the nest, or a nest of young trying to remove a parasitic sibling meaning a bird that was laid in the nest of different species by its parents. It is important to identify the species of bird before placing the bird back. Please send an email to Le Nichoir with an image or video of the bird and nest, including your name and phone number so that our team can identify what species of bird it is. Once the bird is identified, if after two attempts the bird continues to be pushed out of the nest it should be brought to Le Nichoir. I placed a baby wild bird back in its nest and the parents keep pushing it out Wild bird parents are able to identify if one of their young is injured or sick and may throw them from a nest. Some species of “parasitic” birds lay their nest in other bird’s nests (e.g. cowbirds) and if the “new” parents suspect the baby is not theirs they may toss it from the nest as well. It is important to identify the species of bird before placing the bird back. Please send an email to Le Nichoir with an image or video of the bird and nest, including your name and phone number so that our team can identify what species of bird it is. In some cases, adult birds will remove other species of birds from their nests to predate on them. They feed these baby birds to their young. This is seen with Blue jays, Common ravens, American crows and other opportunistic or carnivorous birds. Because of this, it is important to identify the bird first before returning it to the nest. Even if replacing the baby bird back in the nest is successful it is critical to observe the nest from a distance for 3-4 hours to ensure that the parents are caring for the baby. If not, the bird will need to be brought to Le Nichoir I Found a Nest that Fell on the Ground? What should I do? If an entire nest has blown down or fallen, getting it back close to its original position or making a false one may be an option. If there is any blood, or any obvious injuries on any of the babies, or if they have been in contact with a dog or cat, they should be taken to Le Nichoir. Do not try to do a physical examination . Remember that birds don’t always nest in trees. If the nest was intentionally or accidentally removed, it should be placed back as close as possible to where it was originally located. If the nest was found on the ground, it will not have travelled far when it fell. Reuniting featherless hatchling babies is a little trickier than reuniting older, feathered ones, because they are quieter and less likely to call their parents, and because they get cold easily without their mother brooding them. While you attempt to reconstruct the nest or make an artificial nest, babies should be kept in a cardboard box with a heat source to keep them warm until they can be put back. Knowing how and where to replace the nest can make all the difference in the parents coming back to feed the babies. Please send an email with an image and your name and phone number to info@lenichoir.org for more information. I found featherless wild baby birds on the ground without a nest. What should I do? If you find featherless baby birds on the ground without a nest, making an artificial one can be an option if you know where the original nest was. Remember that birds don’t always nest in trees. If you can't find the original nest location the baby birds will need to be brought to Le Nichoir for care.Please keep in mind that it is always preferable for the babies to be raised by their parents than in a rehabilitation centre, so take the time to look carefully to find the nes t. If there is any blood, or any obvious injuries on any of the babies, or they have been in contact with a dog or cat, they should be taken to Le Nichoir. Do not try to do a physical examination . Reuniting featherless hatchling babies is a little trickier than reuniting older, feathered babies, because they are quieter and less likely to call their parents, and because they get cold easily without their mother brooding them. While you attempt to make an artificial nest, babies should be kept in a cardboard box with a heat source to keep them warm until they can be put back. Knowing how and where to replace the artificial nest can make all the difference in the parents coming back to feed the babies. Please send an email with an image and your name and phone number to info@lenichoir.org for more information. A nest of wild baby birds was taken away from its parents. What can I do? If a nest of birds has been intentionally taken away from its parents, the most important thing is to bring the nest of babies back to where it was found to try to reunite them with their parents. First, create an artificial nest if the original is damaged. Place the nestlings back in the nest and wait to see if the parents return. If the parents don't return after 2 hours, it's crucial to contact Le Nichoir 450-458-2809 for instructions. Remember: do not feed the birds or give them water. Avoid handling them. It's illegal to keep wild birds in captivity, so it's essential to return them to their parents in the wild or bring them to Le Nichoir. I found an egg but I don't see a nest. What should I do ? If the nest can’t be reached or located, the egg should be left where it is. You can tuck the egg away under a bush or in some tall grass. Another wild animal will make a meal of it or use it to feed her babies. If the egg begins to hatch , or shows any signs of movement, it should be kept warm and dark and brought to Le Nichoir right away. I found an egg. Should I incubate it? Eggs incubated in captivity have a very poor chance of hatching. The temperature and humidity must be perfect or the embryo will not develop correctly. It means that the egg can hatch with deformities or metabolic issues. Le Nichoir strongly discourages people from incubating eggs . Even if the egg successfully hatches, new hatchlings have a very high mortality because it is very difficult to mimic the diet and care its parents would provide for it. We also know that for some species bacterial transfer from its parents, which builds the nestling’s immune system, is critical for their health. If you find a wild egg it is best to leave it where you found it, or place it under a tree or somewhere that a natural predator can eat it. How long do wild birds stay in their nest? In an urban or suburban landscape, wild birds have to be creative about where they make their nests. This means that they sometimes make nests in places that are inconvenient or annoying to people. Nests are for the purposes of raising babies. Once the babies have grown up and fledged the nest it is seldom reused. This is important to remember, because the nesting period is so short and young will leave the nest generally in 2-4 weeks. I am doing construction on my home ( deck, gazebo, porch) and a wild bird has made a nest that is blocking the area we need to do work in. Can I move the nest? Most wild birds, their nests, feathers and eggs are protected by different Federal and Provincial laws. Many species fall under protection of the Migratory Birds Convention Act. This means that it is illegal to remove a migratory bird nest without a permit and fines can be given to individuals not respecting these laws. For more information related to this contact Le Nichoir at 450-458-2809 . A wild bird made a nest on my boat, car, truck, trailer Le Nichoir encourages the public to not interfere when there are babies or eggs in the nest as many are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty. If this is impossible and a bird has made a nest in a location that is moveable (e.g. boat, car, truck) a nest of babies may have to be removed and it needs to be installed within a few feet of where the original nest was located. How should I proceed if I have to relocate a nest? A ladder can work really well. Fasten the nest to one of the steps. If the nest is in full sun or not protected from bad weather, place a small piece of plywood on the top step to make an overhang to protect the birds from rain and heat. You must observe the birds, from a distance, for 2-4 hours to ensure that parents return. If they do not, please call Le Nichoir 450-458-2809 for more instructions. Please remember that moving a nest should be done as a last resort since parents will abandon a relocated nest with eggs only. Artificial nests rely heavily on the parents hearing their babies calling for food. Without this auditory signal, it is unlikely that the parents will find an artificial nest containing only eggs. I found a wild bird nest in my kitchen vent, fan or roof. Can I remove it? By far the most common “nuisance” nests we hear about are those made by European starlings and House sparrows. Naturally, these species nest in holes and crevices. Near human habitation, this means that they often choose dryer vents, stove vents, bathroom vents, and cracks and crevices along the walls and roofs of houses. The whole process from nest-building to babies fledgling can take less than a month. It takes 1-3 days to build a nest, 10-14 days to incubate and 18-23 days (starlings) and 10-14 days (sparrows) to fledge. Most people don’t even notice a starling or sparrow nest until the babies start making noise when they’re hungry. At this point, babies are usually at least a week old and people should wait until the babies leave before blocking off the access to the house. Le Nichoir encourages the public to not interfere when there are babies or eggs in the nest because most of these nests and babies are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty. Also, letting the birds fledge eliminates the possibility of the parents abandoning the young in your house. I must remove a nest built in my house. How should I proceed? If it is absolutely impossible for you to wait until the baby birds leave the nest , an artificial one must be placed immediately above or below the original entry point. Parents will abandon a relocated nest with eggs only. Artificial nests rely heavily on the parents hearing their babies calling for food. Without this auditory signal, it is unlikely that the parents will find an artificial nest containing only eggs. I found a cup nest with eggs or babies on my property. Can I remove it? Remember that most eggs and nests are federally protected and cannot be destroyed or moved. It is illegal to remove a nest, especially with eggs or babies. Moving a nest can end up with the nest being abandoned. For most species of wild birds, the nest building, incubation and fledgling stage last under 4 weeks. It is a very temporary situation so please give them the little time they need. A nest was built on my patio. Can I still use it? Sometimes, wild birds build their nests on the sides of houses, under porches, on door-wreaths, etc. Wild bird parents chose this site, built the nest, and incubated the eggs knowing that humans are in close proximity. As long as you are conscientious of the wild birds and don’t actively bother them, most of these species will continue to care for their babies even with humans around. Sometimes wild birds even choose nest sites near people because they know there will be fewer natural predators around. Le Nichoir encourages people to not interfere, and allow the baby wild birds the natural process of being cared for by their parents. This increases their chance of survival and is more natural. How can I know if a nest is abandoned? Most wild bird eggs are laid one per day until the clutch is complete and incubation does not begin until all eggs are laid . Remember that nests that look “abandoned” to you may still be used even if you don't see eggs . Even truly abandoned eggs should be left alone to return to nature. Because the female wild bird does not begin incubating until all of the eggs are laid, nests are often left unattended during the laying period. The caller may monitor the nest over the course of one week. If no new eggs appear and there is still no sign of the mother, the nest can be considered abandoned.

A wild bird is trapped in my house, garage, attic or a building. What should I do? Wild birds can accidentally fly into a house or a building and become trapped inside. Because they can’t see glass and are attracted to light, they may fly around in a panic hitting windows or light fixtures. Since wild birds are naturally drawn to light, you can cover all but one window and open it. It can help to cut down the wild bird’s confusion and guide it out of the building. A bird flew into my house. Will it fly out if I open a window? The first step is to cover all the windows and close all the doors. This will block out the light and keep the wild bird from flying into the windows in its panic. If the windows don’t have blinds or curtains, you can used bed sheets, towels, garbage bags, or newspaper. Remember it’s only temporary. Then choose one window or door, uncover it and leave it as wide open as possible. Leave the room for one hour. This will give the wild bird a chance to catch its breath and find its way out on its own. If after a few hours the wild bird still hasn’t left, you can try gently herding the wild bird towards the open window. I left a window open but the bird trapped in my house won't get out. What should I do? If the open window method is not successful you can try with a flashlight. Wild birds have trouble adjusting their vision to sudden changes in lighting. Cover all the windows so that the room is as dark as possible. With the lights still on, find the wild bird. Get as close as you can without spooking it. Shine a flashlight on the bird. Turn off the lights in the room, still shining the flashlight on the bird. It will take a moment for the wild bird’s eyes to adjust, and this can be enough time for you , or a friend, to catch it with a butterfly net (available at most dollar stores) or by covering it with a towel. Is there a wild bird stuck in my chimney? A trapped wild bird will almost never vocalize, because that would only attract predators to its situation. You may hear scratching noises as the wild bird scratches the damper to escape. This often happens with European starlings. The best solution is to open the damper and allow the bird to fall into the fireplace. The bird can then be caught with a towel and released outside, unless it is covered in soot. If so, it must be brought to Le Nichoir to be properly cleaned. Please do not try to clean it yourself . Did a bird build a nest in my chimney? The exception for wild birds being trapped in chimneys is for Chimney swifts . Chimney swifts build their tiny wood stick nests in old brick and stone chimneys. If you are hearing intermittent chatter further up the chimney, you likely have a nest! Chimney swifts are considered a threatened species.These birds should not be removed from the chimney, and young can be reunited with their parents if their nest falls. Do not open the damper. If you think you have Chimney swifts or any other wild bird nest in your chimney, please call Le Nichoir for more information 450-458-2809 .