Find a Dead Bird? Leave it Alone!

Tina sent me an email today saying that she had found a dead bird. I sent her a lengthy reply which, I think, bears repeating to the neighborhood:

Tina,

The bird you found was most likely a yellow-rumped warbler (affectionately known as "butter-butts" in the birding community), and not a baby. Warblers are coming through the area now in their fall/winter migration and are very tiny birds. Almost all birds you see this time of year will be adult birds (or first-year birds known as juvenals [different from 'juvenile']), due to the fact that breeding season is late spring to late summer.

Also, when you find a dead bird, its best not to handle it. First, it might be carrying disease (avian influenza, west nile virus, or salmonella, to name just a few) and at the least mites and lice. Remember, if it's dead, there was a cause of death. See article, More than 60 transmissible bird diseases (some of which are fatal) for more info.

Secondly, it is against the law. The International Migratory Bird Treaty makes it illegal to have migratory birds in your possession (dead or alive) unless you are a licensed ornithological researcher or a wildlife rehabillitator. This treaty was enacted to try and stop the illegal trade in songbirds and raptors (it is a burgeoning trade in Mexico, Central and South America).

Many of our endangered and threatened birds got that way, not so much because of activity in North America where the birds breed, but becuase of illegal activities in the birds' wintering grounds - poaching, massive killings, deforestation, clear-cutting, etc.)

We signed this treaty to help solve some of those problems in other countries, but it has unintended consequences for the "good Samaritan" who just wants to help a sick bird, or bury a dead one.

For a good general resource on laws which are related to birding, see BirdIQ.

--Rusty

Goldfinches Have Arrived

I finally had a few goldfinches in the yard the week of Christmas. They are still here this morning.
--Rusty

Early Cedar Waxwings

From the Texas Bird List December 21, 2007...

This morning in Leander, while taking out the trash at sunrise, I heard, then saw, two cedar waxwings doing a vocal do-si-do in an apparent attempt to locate each other.

I suppose that it is not especially early for cedar waxwings to appear in Texas, but, here in Leander, I have never before encountered them any earlier than February. When they do show up, it is for the duration - often until May when it seems far too late for them to get back on their breeding territory in time to raise a brood.

No American goldfinches at the feeders yet, which, when it happens, will be the high point of my Leander winter migration.

The hummingbird feeders are empty, indicating that I have had visiting hummers. But with all of the travel I have been doing I have only been able to do occasional observations. So far I have only seen a few black-chinned. I don't know if there has been anything more exotic than that. Past winters have provided several rufous, one broad-tailed, and one unidentified selasphorus.

--Rusty A.

Christmas For the Birds Was a Big Success!

On Sunday, December 9th, Rusty & Berna hosted a workshop for the neighborhood children (and several adults) on how to make outdoor Christmas tree ornaments that can be eaten by birds. The "class" received hands-on instruction for a peanut-butter-and-bird-seed pinecone, and a fruit garland.

Other ideas demonstrated were a string of grapes, a hollow-orange bird seed feeder, and a garland of cranberries and peanuts (unsalted and in the shell).

A handout with instructions for additional treats, how to make suet, and migration information was given to each family which attended.