Can I release the wild bird I brought back where it was found? Le Nichoir generally does not allow individuals to participate in releases due to the stress it causes to the bird. Le Nichoir can also not commit to a time or date of a release because of release considerations such as the weather, the status of the bird, access to release location and staff resources. What are some of the considerations when releasing a first year wild bird? Some considerations made when releasing young wild birds back into the wild include their age, season, weather, type of species, why they were admitted, and ensuring that they are full grown and can survive on their own. Most young songbirds are raised with conspecifics, forming a family group while they are in care. Le Nichoir tries to release these individuals in groups, which we feel help with their success once released. Where are wild birds released? Most baby songbirds are released on Le Nichoir’s property, with a few exceptions : Starlings and House sparrows are released in areas such as Montreal where these species are commonly found. Chimney swifts must be released into an active colonial roost. Ducks and waterfowl are released near water sources. In some cases, soft releases are necessary. Goslings (baby geese) and turkey poults can be fostered with wild parents of their own species that currently have young of a similar age.

How much does it cost to bring a bird to Le Nichoir? Le Nichoir is a charitable non-profit organization that depends on public donations to support its programs. All of our bird care services are free of charge. Can I keep a wild bird in captivity? 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 provide care or keep in captivity wild birds without a permit, and fines can be given to individuals not respecting these laws. More importantly, you are not a trained expert in caring for a wild bird. This means that your well-meaning actions can actually harm birds . Human and pet foods and medications can hurt, and cause pain to wild patients. Why should I take a bird to Le Nichoir ? It is in the best interest of wild birds to bring them to Le Nichoir or other licensed rehabilitation centres that specialize in their care. Bringing wildlife into rehabilitation centres is comparable to bringing your dog that was hit by a car to the veterinarian. Le Nichoir’s biologists are trained and certified , attend conferences and network internationally to ensure that our practices are science-based and current. Our goal is to provide compassionate and professional care to wild birds to ensure their survival once released. I brought a wild bird to a shelter and they said they would bring it to you. How can I get an update on the bird? If you have brought a wild bird to a local shelter, ask the shelter for the number that designates the bird patient (admission number). This number can sometimes be used to follow-up on a bird at Le Nichoir. This is not always possible though, especially when birds do not end up arriving at the Centre. Please call Le Nichoir 450-458-2809 for more information There is a wild baby bird in my window well. What should I do? Sometimes as fledgling birds explore their environment they can get into trouble. If you find a fledgling bird that looks healthy but is stuck in a window well, the best thing to do is to place the bird onto the ground above the sill to try to reunite the bird with its mother. From a distance, ideally from indoor, observe the bird for 2 hours to see if the parent returns. If the parent returns, there is no need to continue to observe the wild birds as this could cause them further stress. If a parent does not return please call Le Nichoir 450-458-2809 for more information. Can I hold or speak to wild birds? When you come in contact with a wild bird you need to keep it away from people, pets and loud noises . Adult wild birds see people as predators and are often petrified. Holding wild birds in your hands causes them immense stress and can even result in their death. Petting or speaking to a wild bird does not provide comfort, even if the bird does not show signs of stress. For baby birds, handling and speaking to them can result in them becoming too habituated (friendly) to people. Le Nichoir is not able to release friendly birds back into the wild as they struggle to find food and shelter on their own and have a high mortality (death) . For many species, once these birds become friendly it is very difficult to make them wild again. There is a wild bird injured on the highway. What should 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 a baby bird. What should I do? There are different considerations to make when finding a baby bird . Most species of birds have a fledgling stage, where they spend a few weeks on the ground before they can fly . This is a critical period for them to exercise, practice flight and explore their environment. But not all species fledge on the ground. Therefore it is important to identify the bird’s species and age before intervening. This can be done by sending an email to info@lenichoir.org that includes photos or short videos of the bird, your name and phone number. This will allow Le Nichoir to help determine whether the bird needs to be rescued. I found a baby bird on the ground. Is it normal ? It is normal for fledgling to be on the ground but some species do not fledge on the ground. They include: Swallows, swifts, chickadees (and other hole-nesting species), flycatchers, and woodpeckers. Any of these species found on the ground will likely require rescuing. Depending on their age many birds that are found on the ground may be healthy, and should not be rescued. Parents will care for them while on the ground, but will not stay with them for long periods of time. Identifying the age of the bird is critical because in some cases the birds may be too young to have left the nest, even in species that fledge. Remember: do not feed the baby birds or give them water . I found a baby bird. Can I feed it or give it water? Wild baby birds should not be fed food , even if they are hungry and begging. Water or food should never be placed directly in the mouth of a bird. Feeding or giving water to birds increases the risk of pneumonia if food or water accidentally enters their lungs. Feeding a dehydrated bird can result in them unable to properly digest food, potentially leading to digestive problems, bloating, shock, or even death. Avoid handling them. It's illegal to keep wild birds in captivity even if you are trying to help so it's essential to call Le Nichoir for guidance. I found a baby bird. What should I give it ? Most birds brought to Le Nichoir that have been fed by the public have malnutrition as they were not fed the proper foods. Most foods available at pet stores (such as Tropican) are not appropriate to feed wild birds. A baby bird lacking the proper nutrition for only a day or two could end up having metabolic bone disease and other life-threatening nutritional deficiencies and malformations. Remember: what a bird grows in only a few days, is that a human child would grow in months. Le Nichoir’s staff is educated in the nutritional requirements of wild birds. We make our own diets to ensure that our patients are fed nutritious, species appropriate foods to grow healthy in preparation for successful release back into the wild. I touched a baby bird and I am worried the parents won’t take it back. It is an old wise tale that if you touch a baby bird the parents will abandon it. Many birds have a poor sense of smell, and even those who smell well, will take a baby bird back if it has been touched. It's still important to avoid handling them and you should never try to do a physical examination. It's illegal to keep wild birds in captivity even if you are trying to help so it's essential to call Le Nichoir for guidance. I found a friendly wild bird, should I bring it to Le Nichoir? There are different reasons why a bird might come across as being “friendly”. Young birds (fledglings) have not always developed fear of humans yet. You can approach these birds and they get excited and might even open their mouths to be fed. Such behavior is normal. An adult bird that comes across as being friendly is not normal. It is best to email info@lenichoir.org an image or video of the bird, whether young or old. Include your name and phone number in the email. This will allow Le Nichoir to identify the species of bird and get a better understanding of the situation so that we can offer advice. I raised a baby bird. When can I release it ? Birds that are friendly to humans should not be released . In some cases, these birds will be placed in licensed facilities depending on their ability to adapt to captivity and the availability of space. All friendly birds should be brought to Le Nichoir for examination . Our staff will explain the different options available to this bird.