TIPS TO RESCUE INJURED/BABY BIRDS

EMERGENCY CARE FOR BIRDS and FAQs

This Blog provides information for the most frequently asked questions regarding baby birds, and injured birds. Additionally, links are provided throughout this page where you will find more specific and detailed information relating to bird care, some include information concerning care of other baby animals. Please note that although it is always kind to try to save the life of a bird, after the initial rescue, it should be done by wildlife rehabilitators who have the knowledge and experience caring for injured animals. Some bird parents feed their babies every 20-30 minutes from dawn to dusk and teach them the basic skills of surviving in the wild. It is a daunting task, parent birds do it effortlessly, but sometimes they need our help.
Please Note: Before attempting larger bird rescues (Herons, Hawks, Owls, Eagles, etc) please read "Personal Safety" Immediate Care Information:
If you have already rescued a baby bird or injured bird, here’s some information you need to know –NOW. When you’ve cared for the bird’s immediate needs you may want to continue reading this page at a more leisurely pace.
1. Do NOT try to force food, milk (they cannot tolerate it) or force water into the bird’s beak, thinking that it will revive or strengthen a bird. You may cause more harm and possibly drown the bird because there is a direct route to the lungs at the back of its tongue. Some baby birds like Doves, Pigeons, Quail and Killdeer do not open their mouths wide to eat – they stick their beaks into the parent’s beak and suck the regurgitated food, so there are different instructions for different birds. See http://aztec.asu.edu/forthebirds/unfeth.html

2. Provide Warmth: If returning the bird to the nest is NOT possible, it is imperative that you provide warmth for the baby bird. Young birds are vulnerable to chill and pneumonia. When you hold the baby bird in your hand, it should feel warmer than your hand. Warmth can be provided with a hot water bottle or heating pad turned on to low. Snuggle the bird in facial tissue directly against the source of warmth, but be sure it is not too hot!!!. If you’ve rescued an injured bird, place it in a well-ventilated box, over a heating pad on low (or hot water bottle) in a dark, quiet place, away from household pets and noise. Sometimes, just allowing a few hours rest and recuperation is all that is required.

3. Housing: Make an artificial nest from a plastic berry box and use facial tissue for nest material. Do not use cloth, shredded paper, cotton or grass as these may result in injury. The legs of the baby are not strong enough to support it, so rest the baby bird in a semi-upright position so that the edges provide support for the body and head. Do not let the bird sprawl on the bottom of the nest. (If you know the location the bird was found, it is best to place it back in the same area so the parents will find it—they’ve been searching! Contrary to popular belief, parents will not reject the baby because you’ve touched it. You can use string or rope to secure the berry box to the limb of a tree or deep bush (a hidden location). Use only enough rope necessary, do not leave any extra string dangling. Watch the nest constantly for at least two hours from as far away as possible to allow the parents to safely reconnect with the baby. The parents will show up for just a few seconds, feed it and take off until the next feeding. If you do not see this happening, continue to care for the bird until you find help.

4. Contact your nearest Wildlife Rehabilitator

PERSONAL SAFETY Some birds are very dangerous to handle. (Remember – Birds have no idea we are trying to help them, they fight rescue fearing they are about to be killed) A heron (large bird-long pointed beak) can easily stab an eye (or both) in a matter of seconds! Wear safety glasses when picking up large birds like this. Raptors have very sharp claws and it is best to wear heavy gloves when attempting a rescue. Also, some bird diseases can be transmitted to humans so it is advisable, if possible, to wear gloves when picking up a sick or injured bird and to always wash hands thoroughly after handling any bird.
What to do if you find a baby bird.
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/advice4.htm
Emergency Feeding Instructions
http://www.csubak.edu/fact/babybird.html
You Found a Baby Bird "Hopping" On the Ground, but Doesn’t Seem to be Able to Fly.
Many baby birds leave the nest before they are able to fly. The reason they do this is varied. It could be that the nest became too small to accommodate all the babies (they’ve been growing at a rapid speed) or because parasites have invaded the nest, or because they sense they have a better chance against predators being out of the nest, but mostly because the parents have coaxed them, one-by-one, out of the nest because they knew instinctively it was time for their babies to take their first flight!

The parents have not abandoned them, they are close by, watching and caring for these babies. They bring food to them throughout the day and within a short period of time (days) the babies are flying, not gracefully, but flying short distances and then they follow their parents who will show them the best sources of food and water.

The best thing to do is to leave it there, if you have picked it up, bring it back to the exact area you found it, place it in or under a bush. The parents have, most likely, been frantically looking and calling for this lost baby. You can wait and watch for a few hours to make sure the baby bird is OK, but do this from as far away as possible so you don’t frighten the parents who are waiting for a safe time to approach the baby bird. If after watching from a distance for several hours you cannot see the bird’s parents, follow the previous instructions and call your nearest Wildlife Rehabilitator. (Links listed above) (Exceptions: You see a baby bird is in an obviously dangerous situation like sitting in the middle of the road. Pick it up and place it in a nearby bush where parents will still find it easily.)

You Found an Injured Bird.
For whatever reason, birds have accidents too; sometimes they fly into windows and become dazed or unconscious but will recover with just a little help from us, but sometimes it is much more serious. What to do?
DO NOT TRY TO FORCE FEED OR FORCE WATER into the bird’s beak, thinking it might revive or will help strengthen the bird; doing this is like trying to make an unconscious person eat or drink.
PROVIDE WARMTH: Find an appropriate sized box, make ventilation holes in it, place tissue at the bottom of the box and place the injured bird inside. Place the box on a heating pad set of LOW, then place the box in a very dark quiet place in your home. Sometimes, a few hours of rest and warmth are all a bird needs to recover.
CONTACT THE NEAREST WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR
ODD BIRD BEHAVIOR
Birds are Flying Against/Hitting Closed Windows.
Birds can see their reflection in a window. During the breeding season, when the birds are most territorial, they view the reflection as another bird intruding on their territory, and try to chase it away. Most species do not recognize the reflection as their own self. Many species of birds engage in this activity. The best way to discourage this behavior is to place a non-reflective material in front of the window on the outside to prevent the reflection. This is only a temporary behavior that will cease when the breeding season in over.

Welcome to the World of Kondapalli toys

History

In India, the oldest toys belong to the 5000 year-old Harappan civilisation. These toys were made with natural materials like clay, wood and stone. They depicted ordinary men, women, animals, birds, fruits and vegetables as well as the important professionals who existed in those times - the potter, carpenter and farmer, among others. Many regions in India specialize in making ancient toys. In the southern state of Andhra Pradesh for instance, the names of places such as Kondapalli, Nirmal, Ettikoppakka and Tirupati, are associated with wooden toys crafted with great style. The artisans are not only experienced but are also well versed in the theoretical aspects. They have adopted the South Indian style of architecture of wood, which is evident in their work. The popular classical collection includes Dasavatars, the Gitopadesa, and events associated with the life of Lord Krishna. The mythological toys pose a great challenge, as they require skill in portraying half-human and half-animal god figures.

A peep into the world of Kondapalli toys!!!!.

Kondapalli toys are made in and around Kondapalli. It is a little village in the Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA. The traditional craftsmen here belong to a community known as the Aryakhastriyas, who take up wood sculpture and painting as their hereditary profession. There is reference to this group in the "Brahmanda Purana". This community claims its origin to Muktharishi, who was endowed with skills in arts and crafts by Lord Shiva. These chitrakaras claim that it was their ancestors who sculpted the numerous sculptures like the garuda, nandi, simha and the vahanas in the many temples in Andhra Pradesh.

The toys are made at home and the work involves the entire family. This traditional art form has been handed down from one generation to another. It continues to be the main livelihood of the people of Kondapalli.

From Mythology to Animals!

Mythology, rural life and animals are the main themes on which the toys are made. Swans, peacocks and parrots are popular themes too, as are slice-of-life themes: women drawing water from a well, snake charmers, elephant with a mahout (trainer) on its back, potters, etc. Mythological figures are great favorites. Lord Krishna, the playful God, is shown playing the flute with a cow listening on. Kondapalli toys bring color and joy and create a beautiful connection with the world around for the child. They create awareness about rural life and folklore through play.

Can you think of a better way to learn about the richness of Indian mythology?

How are they made?

Although it is difficult to infuse life into small blocks of wood, the Kondapalli toys are exceptions. They are very lively. Every small detail, including the appearance of the face, is looked into and carefully carved.

Making these toys is no child's play. It takes a very long time to fashion each one. The toys are made out of the locally-available soft Puniki wood, which is easy to carve. It is subjected to a process of slow heating, to draw out all the moisture. The limbs are carved separately and later joined to the body. The Kondapalli artists carve images and structures relating to mythology and to social themes. The artists display a perfect blending of science, aesthetics and religion in their work.

The glue used consists mainly of paste made from tamarind seeds. The brushes used to color the toys are very fine and sharp, made of goat's hair. In the past, the colors that were used for these toys were derived from natural sources like stones, herbs, roots and gums. No chemicals were used. Today both water colors and oil paints are used to paint. The carving tools used are drill, hammer, axe, bagudari, aakrai (file) and chisels for finer work.

Today

In the olden days, Kondapalli artists received patronage from the local rulers. But today these artisans are neglected due to the advent of latest technology toys. Many artisans have given up their profession and are seeking other lucrative jobs. Though the government is trying to rehabilitate this art form, it is up to us to encourage it. It is our duty to do so.
For decades Kondapalli Toys adorned many homes of Indian people. These brightly colored pieces of art bring radiance to any home. Unfortunately, not many Indians outside Andhra Pradesh and In Andhra Pradesh know much about these lovely handicrafts. The main intention of this section is to introduce the Kondapalli handicrafts to the best of my knowledge.