Over the years we’ve shared videos and Facebook stories of our bird rescues. But far better to prevent the birds from crashing into our windows in the first place, so we delved into bird deflectors. First, here are some of our favorite bird rescues.
Bird Rescues
This rescued cardinal below happened before we installed our bird deflectors. We treasure being able to save those we could, but this beautiful male cardinal was one of our favorites.
This cardinal seemed in no hurry to leave, and yet it didn’t appear to be due to shock. Rather, he just seemed curious and attentive and rather enjoying the strokes he was getting.
This cardinal wasn’t our first rescue. We’ve performed numerous salvages and rescues, and most were revived and set free within minutes.
A Local Vet Saves Wildlife for Free
Two of our bird rescues were taken for rehabilitation at a local vet that helps injured wildlife for free. One had a broken wing that took the vet a lot of time to restore and then about 6 weeks of care before they released it back to nature.
So while we’ve saved most… probably about 85%, we’ve also had a number of not-so-happy endings through the years. Those instant deaths were the most merciful. Those that suffered for awhile first, were the most distressing, but all of them saddened us, so we needed to find a solution.
The problem with reflective windows in the woods is that to the birds, it just looks like an opening to fly through amidst the trees and limbs.
Search for Wildlife Rescue
If you encounter injured wildlife needing help, search for “wildlife rescue near me” or “wildlife rescue veterinarian” and chances are you may also have a kind vet near you willing to help. If not, then a wildlife rescue group, network or Facebook group who can help you.
Here’s a shout out to the Animal Hospital of Walnut Cove for their service to injured wildlife.[1]https://www.animalhospitalwalnutcove.com/services/
Cardinal Cisco – Bird Rescue
This beautiful cardinal is one of many that we’ve rescued over the years, and that inspired us to find better bird deflector solutions. Cisco is the one that had the broken wing that the local vet who does wildlife rescue healed over many weeks… all for free.
You can read more about Cisco in this red cardinal rescue article on one of our smaller sister websites. We bought the site from the original owners who were moving on, but haven’t had time to grow and improve it yet.
So that website is currently a bit neglected because we haven’t had time to focus on it. However, we have great plans for it in the future as a part of our family business to create informative websites that spread more good and positivity in the world! ❤️🙏🏻 ☀️ Meanwhile, you can read Cisco’s story there.
Although the photos of bird in hand in that article are NOT Cisco. Instead, we used the cardinal pictured here, because Cisco was very feisty and eager to bite!
Cisco was the first biting bird we’ve rescued. Since it turns out that his wing was broken, it’s likely because he was more alarmed and in pain from his injured wing than stunned or dizzy from a direct hit to the head as with most of them.
Saving Fallen Birds from Pets
Some people say that we shouldn’t pick up the fallen birds and hold them.
However, we don’t want our cat or dogs (or the neighbor’s pets) to get them. Beyond that, we’ve clearly seen where the warmth and energy from loving hands seems to help soothe, calm and restore them.
Keeping the Cat and Dogs Away
Our cat and dogs have caught on to what the sound of a bird strike portends, perhaps akin to the ding of a dinner bell. 😬 Off they go, running through pet door as we race outside to beat them to the rescue.
Thankfully, we’re always first to the scene of the accident. Using the nearest people door, 😉 we beat them to it!
However, thanks to the homemade bird deflectors we’ve installed we rarely hear the sad sound of bird strikes now. But if there is, we’re thankful that at least, Mystique, Nikolai’s black rescue cat, ignores it. While she use the pet doors as a part of her usual routine, when it comes to the bird strikes, she’s not eager to get trampled by the dogs.
Instead, she licks her paws as if she didn’t hear it. The dogs still stumble over themselves to race for the pet door, barking up a ruckus. But not Mystique… she plays it cool and unconcerned as she saunters upstairs in utter disinterest. Thankfully!
Now, if she would only put her hunting skills toward catching more voles and moles!
RELATED: Our son, Nikolai’s, Labrottie website).
