What are common severe injuries seen in wild bird patients? An open fracture is one in which the broken end of the bone pierces the muscle and skin and is exposed to the outside of the body. Bone tissue begins to die and degrade as soon as it is exposed to air, so the two ends will never grow together and heal. A joint fracture is at or very close to a joint and the healing process can cause a callus to form over the joint’s articulations, freezing it or reducing its range of motion. A wild bird’s ability to fly or walk will be impacted by a joint that can’t extend fully. Poorly resolved fractures. Fractures in wild birds heal very quickly. Sometimes, bones do not knit together straight enough to allow for normal movement of the limb. Other times, the healing process encompasses a nearby joint and permanently reduces range of motion. Spinal fracture/severe trauma injuries involve swelling, bruising, or other lesions on the spine. Symptoms of spinal trauma can include paralysis or paresis (partial paralysis) of the legs, and an inability to control defecating. Neurological symptoms are caused by an injury to the brain or the central nervous system. They can include loss of balance, “stumbling” when walking, “torticollis” (twisted neck), or “log rolling” (when the bird flips over and over and over while trying to right itself). Neurological injuries may improve or they may not, and their likelihood of improvement goes down the more severe the symptoms. Never assess these injuries yourself on the wild bird. These injuries are very painful, and manipulating the wound can cause more damage and could stop Le Nichoir from healing the injury.

A wild bird hit my window, what should I do? Wild birds that hit windows must be brought to Le Nichoir for care, even if they seem only stunned. Often these birds have head trauma, or eye injuries. The only exception to this is if the bird is tending to baby birds. If this is the case please speak directly to Le Nichoir at 450-458-2809 . If you find a bird that hit a window, place the bird in a cardboard box with small holes. Keep the box indoors in a safe place away from human voices and other noises, pets, and other risks before you can bring the bird to Le Nichoir. When the bird arrives at the centre it will be provided with a medical examination including an optical examination to look for corneal ulcers. Why do birds hit my windows? Wild birds fly into windows for two reasons: either they see a “way through” when two windows line up in their field vision, or they see the reflection of the sky and trees in the glass, and think they can keep going. Hawk silhouettes, or anything else that takes up only a small portion of a window, is unlikely to work. The rest of the window is still reflective, and many birds are used to flying through tight spaces or evading predators on a dime. How can I prevent birds from flying in my windows? Any modifications should be done on the outside surface of the glass, otherwise they may not be seen through the reflection. The latest research say the most effective markers will cover most of the surface of a window, and will be spaced no more than 4 inches apart vertically and 2 inches apart horizontally. There are currently products such as Feather Friendly Collision Tape or WindowAlert decals that can be purchased at La Boutique du Nichoir ( https://boutique.lenichoir.org/collections/bird-safety ). The Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) is an organization based in Toronto dedicated to the prevention of window strike fatalities in birds. Their website, flap.org , has a wealth of information, and includes the latest studies and recommendations. Why does a wild bird keep attacking my window? A wild bird attacking or repeatedly flying into your window is usually reacting to its own reflection. Here’s why: Territorial Behavior: During breeding season (spring to early summer), birds, especially males, become highly territorial. When they see their reflection in the window, they think it's a rival bird encroaching on their territory, Instinctual Reaction: The bird is trying to chase away what it perceives as a threat to its mate, nest, or territory. Robins, cardinals, and sparrows are particularly prone to this behavior. They have been found to attack windows but also the mirrors on cars. How can I stop wild birds from hitting my window? One way to reduce wild bird window collisions is by reducing the reflection of the window. Use non-reflective materials or visual deterrents to block or distort the reflection . Examples: Stickers, decals, tape placed on the outside of the window., netting or screens about 2–4 inches from the window, use of soap, white tempera paint, or window markers to draw on the glass. Cover most of the surface, not just a few spots You can close curtains or blinds: This may help, but since the reflection is on the outside, it's not always effective alone. Moving indoor lights or objects, especially green plants, away from the problematic window helps as well. Bright indoor lights at night can also attract or confuse wild birds.

Ducklings are trying to cross a highway. What can I do? It is very dangerous for you to stop on a busy road or highway to try to capture an injured wild bird, or any animal. Call Transport Quebec at 5-1-1 to notify them of the situation and they will send someone to capture the bird. I found ducklings, or goslings and their mother is dead. What should I do? Precocial birds are more independent at hatching than altricial birds, but they still depend on their parents for weeks to months, primarily for protection, guidance, and sometimes feeding . While precocial birds can walk and feed shortly after hatching , they are not fully independent . If you find the babies with the mother or parents dead for any precocial birds it is important to capture the babies and send an image or video by email at info@lenichoir.org with your name and phone number so that Le Nichoir can identify the species of the bird and for further instructions. There are ducklings stuck in the sewer without their mother, what can I do? In Quebec, you are not legally allowed to remove a manhole cover yourself, even if an animal is trapped inside. Manhole covers provide access to municipal infrastructure like sewers, and tampering with them can be dangerous and as well as cause liability issues. Call your municipality immediately. Report the trapped animal and give them the exact location. Public works may be able to help you, if not, most municipalities have a contract with a wildlife removal and shelter that can coordinate with the municipality to open the manhole cover. There are ducklings running downtown with their mother. What can we do? It is important to keep a safe distance so as not to scare the mother and ducklings further. Don’t try to pick them up or herd them unless they are in immediate danger, like on a busy road) Let the mother lead. She usually has a destination in mind, often heading toward water. If they are crossing a road and if safe to do so, gently signal drivers to slow down. If the ducklings and mother are in immediate danger and if there is water or a green space close by you can try to capture the ducklings. This is a last resort, as when you try to catch the ducklings they will often frantically disperse, which can make the situation more dangerous. It is best to call Le Nichoir 450-458-2809 for more instructions to ensure that this procedure is done successfully. If you manage to capture the ducklings, the mother can often be coaxed to follow you. If she initially flies away, wait until she returns. Mother ducks are often very protective of their young, and will return. Slowly walk with the box of ducklings to the closest water or greenspace.It is critical that the mother is present before trying to release them at another location. If the mother is not present, bring the ducklings to Le Nichoir. I found a female duck on the ground and she is not moving. Is she injured? In the spring it is not uncommon to find a female wild duck sitting on the ground and she does not move when you approach her. One reason for this could be because she is protecting her nest. We suggest sending Le Nichoir an email at info@lenichoir.org with a photo of the wild duck, your name and phone number so that Le Nichoir can try to identify whether the wild duck is injured or should be left alone. I saw a wild duck and it’s not flying. What should I do? In order to determine if the bird needs rescuing please email Le Nichoir at info@lenichoir.org with a photo of the bird, your name and phone number. It will help us identify the species and age of the wild duck. I saw a wild duck and it's not flying. Why ? Most species of ducklings only begin flying after 7 weeks since hatching. Adult ducks and geese moult their primary feathers at once, making the duck or goose flightless until they grow new feathers in. The duck could also be injured. If a duck or goose has a dragging wing it could be injured or using the “broken wing” technique to lure predators away from its nest. I found an injured goose or duck close to the water. How do I capture it? Adult geese and ducks can be very difficult to catch if the bird can fly or swim away onto a body of water when approached. “Feeding for trust” is a way to get a waterbird out and away from the water, and get close enough to capture it safely. How long the process takes will depend on how accustomed the bird already is to taking food from people: some will come running right away, others may take a few days or even weeks to get close enough for a rescue. Should I feed an injured duck or goose? In order to capture an injured bird, “feeding for trust” may work.The same “feeding” person should go to the same location to feed the bird at the same time of day. Feed the duck/goose with wild bird seed or cracked corn. Place the food on the ground close to the shore but not in the water. Every day place the food a little further away from the water until the bird is feeding away from the shoreline. The “feeding” person will need to be involved in the rescue. The easiest way to capture an injured goose or duck is by the bird being distracted while being fed. How can I capture a wild injured waterbird? To capture the wild waterbird, assemble a group of people. Large tarps can be used as moving barriers, nets and blankets work well too. Corner the bird into an area where it cannot escape (e.g. the corner of a fence or hedge) then try to capture the waterbird. If the first try is not successful it will get increasingly harder to capture the waterbird because they learn quickly and will become afraid of being caught. For fish-eating diving birds (like loons or mergansers) that don’t eat seed, the callers may just have to wait until the waterbird weakens and comes to shore, or gets itself into a situation where it can be easily caught. I found a duck or goose nest full of eggs. What will happen when they hatch? Duck and geese eggs and nests are federally protected and cannot be destroyed or moved without a license. Usually within the first 24hrs, the parents will lead the babies from the nest site to the closest watercourse (river, pond, lake, stream), where they will continue to raise them. Note that Canada geese will sometimes raise their babies on the closest field of grass. Why is there a mother duck and ducklings in my pool? You can find a mix of information on that topic and downloadable documents in our Bird Help section at https://lenichoir.org/resources/ . Once the ducklings hatch, the mother duck will lead them to the closest watercourse that she already chose. It can be as far as 3 km away. Sometimes, before they leave your backyard or, along the way, they will stop by a swimming pool. The swimming pool is rarely the final destination, but tiny babies can get trapped in the pool if the ledge is too high for them to jump onto. Mother ducks don’t intend to raise their babies in the pool and the ducklings need a way to get out. Ramps are better and safer than trying to catch them with a net and once the babies can get in and out, families can be encouraged to move along. Remember that chlorine and other pool chemicals are dangerous for ducklings. Ducklings are good swimmers, but they need to be able to get out of the water to rest and dry off, otherwise they will get exhausted and drown. Also, the very small ducklings cannot regulate their temperature. If they remain in cold water too long, they could suffer from hypothermia and even die. While you are arranging to provide the ducklings with a way out of the pool, toss some “floaties” into the water so they have somewhere to rest in the meantime. Flutter boards, outdoor cushions, and cooler lids all float and provide a surface for tired ducklings. You may need to be creative. What are some ways to get ducklings and their mother out of a pool? You can find a mix of information on that topic and downloadable documents in our Bird Help section at https://lenichoir.org/resources/ . Some ways to help get ducklings or goslings out of your pool include: Raising the water level so that it's flush with the edge will make it easier for the babies to jump out. Add a flutter board or pool cushion attached to the edge of the pool to provide a way out. Ramps can be made of plywood, but make sure to attach an empty plastic bottle to the bottom edge so that they float. Once the ducklings or goslings have a way to get out of the pool, give them some time to find their way off of your property. Ducklings will dive to avoid a net, and they tire very easily. Chasing them around with a net or pool skimmer is very risky, and should only be attempted if everything else has failed. If you do have to use a net, give them a 10–15-minute rest once they have dived 3 times. A mother and her ducklings refuse to leave my pool. What should I do ? You can find a mix of information on that topic and downloadable documents in our Bird Help section at https://lenichoir.org/resources/ . If the mother duck is still around, leave the family alone. They should move along within the next 24hrs, continuing on their journey to the chosen watercourse. Ducklings cannot survive without their mother and would need to be rescued, so please don't scare her away. If the duck and ducklings are able to get in and out of the pool, and it has been over 24 hrs and the family is still hanging around, there are some things you can do to encourage them to leave: throw colourful pool toys in the pool such as beach balls, pool noodles, flutter boards. The more colourful the better. Turn on the pool vacuum: If you have an automatic vacuum, let it run. The movement can help to scare the ducks away. Put Wind-up pool toys in your pool: Wind-up boats or animals that swim on their own will make the ducks nervous and more likely to leave. Turn on a radio: A radio playing loudly near the pool will make the ducks uncomfortable and more likely to leave. What can you do when you find ducks or geese on the road ? You can find a mix of information on that topic and downloadable documents in our Bird Help section at https://lenichoir.org/resources/ . After the baby ducks or geese hatch, their parent(s) will walk them from the nest site to the nearest watercourse. They may have to cross some roads to get there, and can get into some dangerous situations. Finders should never put themselves or other people in danger in order to rescue a family of ducks or geese. This means no blocking traffic or pulling over in unsafe area. In the case of a family of ducks or geese on a highway, the police should be notified. They don’t want cars breaking suddenly or pulling over to avoid a family, so they will sometimes come to direct traffic until the birds can be moved off the road. On a busy street, it also makes sense to call the police. If there is a sidewalk or parking lot, a family of ducks or geese can be corralled into a “holding area” until help arrives to help them cross. If callers are worried about ducks on a residential street, they can carefully provide an escort for the family. Stay on the sidewalk, and walk just behind or just ahead of the family. Wave at cars to get their attention, and ask passersby to keep pets and children at a distance. Always, human safety first, and call the local police if things get complicated. Do they have a mother? As always with ducklings and goslings, if there is no parent in sight, they should be contained and brought to Le Nichoir as ducklings and goslings cannot survive without their parents. However, if their parent(s) are with them, it’s always better to try to “herd” the whole family to safety so they don’t get split up. I found a duck or goose nest in a dangerous location You can find a mix of information on that topic and downloadable documents in our Bird Help section at https://lenichoir.org/resources/ . Ducks and geese can choose nesting spots that seem inappropriate to us, but make sense to them, such as flowerbeds or parking lots. Because they are federally protected, the nests cannot be disturbed or moved. Nests moved more than a few feet in either direction will be abandoned by the parents, because they recognize their nest by site. The best course of action is usually none at all: once the babies have hatched, the parents will leave the area with them the same day. If the area is particularly high-traffic, small traffic cones (available at dollar stores) or caution tape can be placed around the nest area to keep people and cars away. I am not able to avoid moving a duck/goose nest. What should I do? You can find a mix of information on that topic and downloadable documents in our Bird Help section at https://lenichoir.org/bird-help . 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 If a nest is in an enclosed courtyard, the parents will not be able to lead their babies away when they hatch. Courtyards and backyards likely do not have enough food or water to sustain the babies while they grow up. Once the babies have hatched, there are a few options: In some municipalities, the local animal control can help out with containing the family and moving them to a more appropriate location. They may charge a fee for this service. Hire (for a fee) a private wildlife removal company like Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Removal to catch the ducks and remove them from the yard. Confirm with the company whether or not they offer this service before referring since these birds are federally-protected and it may require additional permits. If you decide to lead the parents and babies out yourself, please get help from friends or neighbors. Have some blankets and boxes or carriers ready before you start. Depending on the configuration of the enclosed area, gently coral them through the door to the courtyard, or through the building or out through an external door. Doors and hallways along the route should be blocked off or closed. The parent(s) are unlikely to try to fly, since their babies are not able to. The human escorts can hold up large towels or blankets to act as a “walking wall” and guide the birds to the appropriate exit. In last resort, try to catch the babies and the parent(s) themselves, contain them in separate cat carriers or cardboard boxes, and move them outside the courtyard. This technique can also be used to remove ducklings and their parents from a school yard. Be careful not to scare the duck away. Ducklings cannot survive on their own and will need to be rescued if their mother flies away. Also, make sure that the ducklings stay together as they may run away in all directions if panicking. Please keep in mind that adult ducks should never be placed in the same box or carrier as the ducklings. They will certainly panic when captured and they could accidentally trample the ducklings. Call Le Nichoir at 450-458-2809 for further instructions. There is a duck/goose nest on the roof. What should I do? You can find a mix of information on that topic and downloadable documents in our Bird Help section at https://lenichoir.org/resources/ . Ducklings and goslings are adapted to fall without getting hurt, and nests less than 2 storeys high should be fine for babies to jump from, as long as the roof doesn’t have a ledge they can’t get over. For nests more than 2 storeys high, babies will need help getting down: In some municipalities, the local animal control can help out with containing the family and moving them to a more appropriate location. They may charge a fee for this service. Hire (for a fee) a private wildlife removal company like Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Removal to catch the ducks and remove them from the courtyard. Confirm with the company whether or not they offer this service before referring because these birds are federally -protected and it may require additional permits. If you decide to remove them yourself, catch only the ducklings/goslings and place them in a cardboard box. Bring the box downstairs to the ground, on the same side of the building that the nest was on. Leave the box open and watch from a distance. The parent(s) should find the babies from above. When they do, calmly and quietly tip the box over so the babies can follow their parent(s). (Note that this method works better for Canada geese as mallard moms can be easy to scare off. I brought a bird to Le Nichoir. I have the admission number. Can I get an update? Please call Le Nichoir at 450-458-2809 for an update, ideally in the afternoon as we are very busy with bird care in the morning.

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_mp4="" video_webm="" video_ogv="" video_url="" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" overlay_color="" video_preview_image="" border_color="" border_style="solid" padding_top="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" padding_right=""][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="true" min_height="" hover_type="none" link="" border_sizes_top="" border_sizes_bottom="" border_sizes_left="" border_sizes_right="" first="true"][fusion_text admin_label="" awb-switch-editor-focus="" columns="" column_min_width="" column_spacing="" rule_style="" rule_size="" rule_color="" hue="" saturation="" lightness="" alpha="" user_select="" content_alignment_medium="" content_alignment_small="" content_alignment="" disable_idd="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" class="" id="" html_attributes="W10=" width_medium="" width_small="" width="" min_width_medium="" min_width_small="" min_width="" max_width_medium="" max_width_small="" max_width="" margin_top_medium="" margin_right_medium="" margin_bottom_medium="" margin_left_medium="" margin_top_small="" margin_right_small="" margin_bottom_small="" margin_left_small="" margin_top="" margin_right="" margin_bottom="" margin_left="" fusion_font_family_text_font="" fusion_font_variant_text_font="" font_size="" line_height="" letter_spacing="" text_transform="" text_color="" render_logics="" logics="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_color="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" animation_offset=""] Can wild birds be euthanized at Le Nichoir? In some cases, birds are euthanized at Le Nichoir . Euthanasia is considered a last resort, and is taken very seriously by Le Nichoir’s staff. Euthanasia is done under the supervision of a veterinarian, and is administered in a similar way as how a cat or dog would be euthanized. The bird is first sedated then given a lethal injection. You're supposed to help wild birds. Why do you euthanize them? Euthanasia is a last resort humane treatment for birds that are considered non-releasable or have lethal or painful non-treatable injuries. Some of these injuries include: open fractures, joint fractures, severe neurological damage, amputations, symptoms of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), paralysis and vision loss. Animal welfare is Le Nichoir’s top priority and it is critical to remember that wild birds are wild. Euthanasia shows compassion to wild birds and removes pain and suffering. In most cases wild birds do not deal well in captivity and have a poor quality of life being stressed and confined to a cage. They are not domesticated animals and do not cope with injuries that a cat or dog may be able to cope with.Wild birds that are missing a wing or leg will have other long-term disabilities, and these injuries are painful. In some cases, depending on their injury, Le Nichoir will place non-releasable wild birds in captivity with a licensed facility. This is done on a case-by-case basis. Why are some birds with white wing feather abnormalities euthanized? Feather abnormalities (including “white wing”) can occur when a bird’s feathers do not develop normally, often as a result of severe nutritional deficiencies or illness during feather growth. The presence of white feathers alone does not mean a bird cannot survive, and many birds with mild abnormalities can be successfully rehabilitated and released. However, in some cases, white wing abnormalities are a visible sign of more extensive developmental problems caused by a prolonged period of poor nutrition or illness. During critical stages of growth, a bird’s body must prioritize where it uses limited resources. Severe deficiencies can affect not only feather development, but also the growth of muscles, bones, organs, and other body systems. Some affected birds may have underlying weaknesses that are not immediately visible. These decisions are never made based on appearance alone. Each bird is carefully assessed for feather quality, flight ability, overall health, and quality of life. When a bird cannot return to a life of independence, humane euthanasia may be the kindest and most compassionate option. What is Le Nichoir's role in Wildlife rehabilitation? Le Nichoir’s mission is to treat orphans, injured or sick birds and release viable wild birds back into the wild in support of wild bird conservation. The birds Le Nichoir releases must have a good chance of surviving in the wild. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

I found an injured wild bird but Le Nichoir is located too far. What can I do? Unfortunately, there are not many wild bird rehabilitation centres located in Quebec and even Canada. Le Nichoir runs primarily on public donations and does not receive significant financial support from the government. We do not have the financial means to offer pickup services. It is not uncommon for people to drive a few hours to bring Le Nichoir birds. If Le Nichoir is located too far the best thing is to call at 1-800-463-2191 . This Quebec government hotline can guide you in the right direction. I found a wild bird, can Le Nichoir come and catch it? Le Nichoir is happy to admit wild birds that are brought directly to the centre at 637 Main, Hudson. We do not have the resources to go offsite to rescue or capture birds. With almost 3,000 bird admissions every year and our bird care program heavily run by volunteers it is impossible for our team to go offsite. Just like a veterinarian stays at its clinic, our team focuses on caring for our current patients. That being said, Le Nichoir does work with different partners that may be able to help. It is best to call Le Nichoir directly at 450-458-2809 for more information. I found a wild bird that keeps rolling and somersaulting. Is it okay? Wild birds will often roll or somersault when they have neurological or head trauma (impact injury). This happens when wild birds collide with windows, or are hit by cars. Any wild bird that is rolling or somersaulting requires care. These wild birds should be brought to Le Nichoir. Le Nichoir will provide the wild bird with antiinflammatories, painkillers and oxygen therapy. The sooner the wild bird is brought to Le Nichoir the higher chance of recovery it will have. I found a bird open-mouth breathing Wild birds will open-mouth breath when they are stressed, have infection, trauma or injury, have heat stress, are in shock or their trachea is blocked. Most of these symptoms are justified enough to bring the wild bird to Le Nichoir. For more information call Le Nichoir at 450-458-2809 . Open mouth breathing should not be confused by begging done by young birds. I saw a killdeer dragging its wing when I approached it. Is it injured? In most cases, Killdeer drag their wings as a deceptive tactic to protect their eggs and young from predators. This "broken wing" act lures predators away from the nest by making the bird appear injured and unable to fly, thus distracting the predator and allowing the killdeer to escape and safeguard its brood. If you are unsure if the wild bird needs rescuing please email Le Nichoir at info@lenichoir.org with a photo of the wild bird, your name and phone number for more information. If you observe other species of birds with its wing dragging on the ground it is likely that it will require help. Only a handful of species (ducks and geese) use “broken wing” for luring. I found a wild bird that was hit by a car. What should I do? A bird that is hit by a car is likely injured and requires medical care. There is the misconception that birds hit by cars don’t always get hurt. The impact of the collision relative to the body size of birds is significant. Please capture the bird and bring it to Le Nichoir (637 Main, Hudson). If you are unsure if the bird needs rescuing please email Le Nichoir at info@lenichoir.org with a photo of the bird, your name and phone number for more information. Is it safe to take an injured bird in the house? Yes, it is safe to take an injured bird into your house. You may have to house a wild bird temporarily prior to transport to a rehabilitation centre. We recommend that you place the box in a garage or a garden shed, protected from predators, especially if you have pets. Once the bird has left, it is important to clean the the areas the bird came in contact with using disinfectant. I found a bird with a broken limb or wing. How can I fix it ? You should never try to treat a fracture on a wild bird yourself as you would never try the same procedure on your own pet. Such procedures should be done by trained staff and under proper medication to control pain.