Sandhill Cranes, Alaska’s Unlikely “Turtledoves”

Author: J.K. Ullrich, Bird TLC volunteer

The first six gifts in the carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” are birds (seven, if you consider that “five golden rings” may have originally referred to goldfinches or the ringed plumage on a pheasant’s neck). To celebrate the holiday season, BirdTLC is reimagining the lyrics with native Alaskan birds. Visit our blog every week from now until the end of December for fun, festive facts about our wildlife.

Image: two Sandhill Cranes dancing together.

Photo credit: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The “two turtledoves” in the iconic holiday carol probably didn’t have long, spindly legs or six-foot wingspans. But among Alaskan birds, no species better evokes human ideas of romance than the Sandhill Crane. Gangly yet graceful, these birds are famous for their elaborate courtship dances.

Prospective partners bob their heads and bow. Leaping and strutting, they might toss sticks into the air. They run with broad wings extended. Loud rattling calls echo across Alaska’s wetlands. If the display succeeds, the lovebirds will also sing a unison call. Believed to mate for life, cranes stay with their partners year-round.

Ritualized choreography seems to play a role in bonding. Although performances peak during breeding season, it can occur at any time of year. Sandhill crane couples dance together even after they are paired. Once a pair starts a dance, the entire flock may join in! Young birds also dance, even chicks just a few days old, suggesting it may contribute to motor development.

Dance moves aren’t the only measure of a partner’s appeal. A Sandhill Crane’s distinctive red cap is not feathers, but a patch of bare skin that recedes as the bird ages. (The oldest crane on record was nearly 40 years old.) A bigger bald spot indicates the bird has survived multiple migrations, a badge of experience and good health that attracts potential mates.

Crane parents build a ground nest out of plant materials and care for it together. The two eggs take about a month to hatch, and a further two months for the chicks—called colts—to reach independence. Autumn finds the family migrating south together. In a few years, the juveniles reach sexual maturity and begin dancing for their own mates.

These dances can only continue if we preserve the stage. Alaska hosts two distinct groups of sandhill cranes: the larger one breeds on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and in the Interior, wintering in the southwestern United States, while a smaller population breeds in the Cook Inlet region and winters in California. All rely on migratory corridors, but habitat loss along the route could mean curtains for the cranes. Conservation organizations like BirdTLC work to ensure these unlikely “turtledoves” live happily ever after.

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Three Ptarmigans

Author: J.K. Ullrich, Bird TLC volunteer

The first six gifts in the carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” are birds (seven, if you consider that “five golden rings” may have originally referred to goldfinches or the ringed plumage on a pheasant’s neck). To celebrate the holiday season, BirdTLC is reimagining the lyrics with native Alaskan birds. Visit our blog every week until the end of December for fun, festive facts about wildlife.

Some people give their paramours “three French hens”, but Alaska presents birdwatchers with different members of the order Galliformes: three species of ptarmigan. Although related to chicken-like birds such as grouse, ptarmigan comprise a genus all their own. The word ptarmigan comes from the Scottish Gaelic “tàrmachan,” the old name for Willow Ptarmigan in the northern British Isles. Early ornithologists, mistakenly believing the word had Greek origins, added a “p”.

Willow and Rock ptarmigan live in Europe and North America, while the White-tailed ptarmigan resides exclusively on the latter continent. Sometimes all three species can be found on a single mountain, although altitude separates their habitats. Willow ptarmigan live closest to the timberline. Rock ptarmigan claim the middle slopes and low ridges. White-tails make their homes high among rocky screes close to glaciers and snowfields.

The Willow Ptarmigan is the largest of the trio. Its scientific name, Lagopus lagopus, means “rabbit foot.” The bird’s large, fluffy feet retain heat in winter and act like snowshoes to help the ptarmigan walk atop snow. Long, sharp talons also get traction on icy ground. Alaskan school children chose the Willow Ptarmigan as the state bird in 1955. 

Adult willow ptarmigan in Denali National Park.

Photo atribution: Yathin S Krishnappa, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

White-tailed Ptarmigan are camouflage specialists, with snowy plumage in winter and twig-colored feathers in summer. They nest above the timberline in the alpine tundra, and are the only birds in North America that spend their entire life cycle at such high elevations. Perhaps this is why they generally prefer walking over flight: it may conserve energy in their harsh habitat. 

White-tailed Ptarmigan, Loveland Pass, CO.

Photo attribution: Ron Knight from Seaford, East Sussex, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Rock Ptarmigan occur throughout Alaska, and are the only ptarmigan species on the Aleutian Islands. Some ornithologists have suggested that the the evermanni subspecies, found on Attu and Agattu, should be recognized as a unique species. Unlike their mainland cousins, Aleutian rock ptarmigan range down to coastal areas.

A pair of Rock Ptarmigan in Norway.

Photo attribution: Jan Frode Haugseth, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Winter is a sociable season for Ptarmigan. Moving between patches of shelter and food, they often roost together in the snow. Spring sends flocks in their thousands back to breeding grounds. Males of all three species defend territories, but only Willow ptarmigan males stay to care for the family; they will even take charge of the brood if their mate dies. Among Rock and White-tailed ptarmigans, the females alone raise the chicks. Hens lead their broods around various locations, usually within half a mile of the nest. In crowded nesting areas, some chicks may wind up with different families!

The dynamics of Ptarmigan populations, known for extremes of abundance and scarcity, are not well-understood. But one risk to their survival is climate change. Prolonged snow-free periods leave the birds’ molts out of sync with their surroundings: a white bird against spring earth makes an easier target for predators. Stewardship of the planet is the best gift we can give these tough little birds.

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Four Calling (Raven) Birds

Author: J.K. Ullrich, Bird Treatment and Learning Center Volunteer

The first six gifts in the carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” are birds (seven, if you consider that “five golden rings” may have originally referred to goldfinches or the ringed plumage on a pheasant’s neck). To celebrate the holiday season, BirdTLC is reimagining the lyrics with native Alaskan birds. Visit our blog every week until the end of December for fun, festive facts about wildlife.

“Four calling birds” weren’t always a musical gift. The song’s first published version in 1780 contained “four colly birds”. “Colly” meant “coal-y”, as in dusted with coal, and colly birds was a common term for blackbirds. (At the time they were edible game—remember the old rhyme about “four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie”?) Language shifts eventually changed the carol’s lyrics into the “calling birds” we sing about today. 

Both the color and the communicativeness apply to Common Ravens. These year-round Alaskan residents make a wide variety of calls. The classic croak can carry more than a mile, often in response to other ravens heard in the distance. A chicken-like cluck means a predator has been spotted; short, sharp calls accompany chasing off a trespasser. Ravens dueling over food will trill at one another. Females make knocking sounds to establish territorial dominance or during courtship displays.

Photo credit: Raven calling along the Firehole River. Author: Yellowstone National Park. Public domain.

Ravens raised in captivity can imitate human speech (Roman emperor Julius Caesar reportedly bought trained ravens that would address him as “the victorious commander”). Scientists have identified more than 100 different raven vocalizations. A researcher at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is even using artificial intelligence to categorize raven sounds and search for patterns.

But diversity isn’t the most remarkable aspect of raven vocalization. Biologist Bernd Heinrich argues that the Raven is one of only four animals—along with bees, ants, and humans—that can communicate about things beyond the immediate present. For example, if a lone juvenile raven discovers a carcass guarded by a pair of adult ravens, it will recruit other unattached youngsters to chase off the guards and secure the food for themselves.

Ravens communicate with more than their voices. A 2011 study found that ravens use “referential gestures”, using their beaks and wings to point out objects much like we humans do with our hands. Researchers observed ravens pointing out objects to other birds, usually members of the opposite sex. The ravens would then interact or even manipulate the item together. Such gestures might be a way to assess a prospective partner. If so, these “calling birds” might use their unique communication abilities to find their own “true love”!

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Six (Emperor) Geese A'Laying

The first six gifts in the carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” are birds (seven, if you consider that “five golden rings” may have originally referred to goldfinches or the ringed plumage on a pheasant’s neck). To celebrate the holiday season, BirdTLC is reimagining the lyrics with native Alaskan birds. Visit our blog every week until the end of December for fun, festive facts about wildlife.

An Emperror Goose standing on ice. Photo credit: Thorsten Hackbarth, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Emperor geese a’laying is certainly a gift after the species’ sharp decline in the late 20th century. This stocky blue-grey bird goes by many names. Its Yupik name, nacaullek, loosely means “the one having a parka hood”. Western explorers dubbed it emperor because its white head resembled fur trim on royal robes. Painted goose likewise refers to its distinctive plumage. Beach goose evokes the bird’s coastal habitat—although mostly a northern resident, strays have been observed as far south as Hawaii. Yet the birds’ life cycle centers on the Last Frontier, earning it the moniker of Alaska’s goose.

Most the Emperor Goose population breeds on the Yukon-Kuskoquim Delta. Paired females lay one to eight eggs in nests made from dead plant material and down (occasionally other females’ nests). After almost a month of incubation, hatched goslings leave the nest in less than a day. They can walk and swim just hours after birth, following their parents through the brief Arctic summer.

Family time doesn’t end when autumn arrives. “The emperor goose is pretty unique in that it hangs out with its kids all winter long,” says Robyn Thomas, who studies the birds’ wintering ecology and population dynamics as part of a joint project between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Emperor Goose families travel together to winter habitats along the Aleutian chain, where parents show their young how to forage. Offspring may even return to associate with mom and dad the following season.

Even with devoted care, only one in ten goslings survive their first year. Still fewer reach the breeding age of three. This slow reproductive rate makes Emperor Geese less resilient against population-level threats, such as when their numbers plummeted from more than 100,000 birds in 1982 to fewer than 45,000 in 1986. Hunting and oil pollution likely contributed to the decline. Coastal waterfowl are also highly vulnerable to climate change.

A hunting ban and 30 years of conservation efforts helped the Emperor Goose population slowly recover. The most recent surveys, from 2014-2016, counted an average of almost 86,000 birds. Subsistence harvest resumed in 2017, but may be suspended again if the population drops below a certain threshold. Research like Thomas’ will help us better understand what these birds need to thrive, while advocacy from organizations like BirdTLC will help keep “Alaska’s goose” a’laying!

If your “true love” is Alaskan birds, connect with BirdTLC all year long for education and advocacy.

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Seven (Trumpeter) Swans A’Swimming

Author: J.K. Ullrich, Bird TLC Volunteer

The first six gifts in the carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” are birds (seven, if you consider that “five golden rings” may have originally referred to goldfinches or the ringed plumage on a pheasant’s neck). To celebrate the holiday season, BirdTLC is reimagining the lyrics with native Alaskan birds.

Photo credit: Andy Reago and Chrissy McClarren, Creative Commons license

A century ago, “seven swans a’swimming” was almost an accurate census of Trumpeter Swans in the United States. Hunted for their feathers and skins, the species came perilously close to extinction: a 1935 survey counted only 69 trumpeter swans a-swimming in American waters. Legal protection helped the population slowly recover. 

Scientists hoped that Alaska’s wilderness concealed hidden troves of swans. The first comprehensive aerial survey of Alaska’s trumpeter swans, in 1968, counted nearly 3,000 birds. Encouraged by the discovery, wildlife authorities removed Trumpeter Swans from the rare species list. Alaska’s remote sanctuaries may have helped save the swans, and the ecosystems they support.

Trumpeter Swans are more than just stately ornaments: they host a holiday buffet for their lake-dwelling neighbors. Their large feet generate currents that dislodge roots from the mud for other animals to eat. Long necks allow them to forage deeper than other water birds, dredging up insects and other tasty morsels. Dabbling ducks may follow swans around to scavenge food. An ecological version of the lyrics might reference “swans a-serving”!

Even more impressive is “swans a’soaring”. Weighing more than 25 pounds—twice the size of a Tundra swan—Trumpeters are North America’s heaviest flying bird, and the country’s largest native waterfowl. Despite a six-foot wingspan, they need a hundred yards of “runway” to get airborne. 

In the sky or in the water, Trumpeter Swans announce themselves with a distinctive hornlike cry. Their scientific name, Cygnus buccinator, comes from the Latin words Cygnus (swan) and buccinare (to trumpet). The two-syllable call keeps families together, sounds alarms, or defend territories. Pairs also use a softer monosyllabic note to locate each other. Young swans have higher-pitched voices, developing their adult tone around 6-8 months old. These snowy singers are a perfect species to feature in a holiday carol!

Meet the Merlin, A Small Raptor with Big Charm

Author: J.K. Ullrich, Bird TLC Volunteer

Legend has it that the wizard Merlin, advisor to Britain’s mythological King Arthur, could transform into a bird. Although he’s no relation to the raptor called a Merlin—the bird’s name comes from esmerillon, the French word for a female falcon, while the character’s name references a Welsh bard—these winged wonders have enchanted humans for centuries. Medieval falconers called Merlins the “Lady's Hawk” because many royal women flew them for sport, including Catherine the Great and Mary, Queen of Scots. 

Merlins specialize in targeting other birds. Small and compact, they pursue their quarry at speeds up to 30 mph. They have even been observed hunting in pairs, with one bird flushing prey towards its partner. But it’s their exquisite maneuverability that gives Merlins their magic. Instead of doing the dramatic dive that the peregrine falcon uses to catch its prey, Merlins take the opposite approach,” says BirdTLC’s Rehabilitation Program Coordinator Katie Thorman. “They use horizontal bursts of speed and acrobatic aerial maneuvers to fly directly into flocks of birds like pigeons, waxwings, and starlings to catch their prey.” 

A Merlin perches on a fence post at Lake Hood, Anchorage.

This agility also impresses mates. Merlins court through elaborate flight displays, taking steep dives and fluttering their wings. Bonded pairs may stay together for several seasons. Rather than build their own nests, they prefer to reuse one abandoned by another bird. Three Merlin subspecies nest in North America: the “Black” Merlin of the Pacific Coast region, the central “Prairie” Merlin, and the “Taiga” Merlin found in Alaska. Habitat loss has contracted the Merlin’s range, but the species has adapted successfully to urban environments. Cities provide abundant prey like pigeons, and plenty of old crow nests for Merlin families. 

A Merlin perches at the top of a tree snag. Photo credit: Dana Foley | FD Foley Photography (Facebook) | @danafo63 ( Instagram)

While many raptors are in decline, Merlin populations in the U.S. and Canada more than tripled between 1970 and 2014. This doesn’t mean Merlins lead charmed lives. Few survive more than five years because they often collide with cars, buildings, and trees. Similar accidents befell three merlins recently brought to BirdTLC. One had been hit by a car and stunned; clinic staff treated it for head trauma, allowing it to recover in a dark, quiet space. Another Merlin received care for a fractured wing. 

The third patient, a young Merlin separated from its parents, required the most attention. Not quite ready to fly or feed itself, the fledgling needed constant support. Clinic staff fed it five to six times a day for almost a week.

Video: staff examines the fledgling Merlin when he arrives at the clinic.

They began offering the Merlin live mice to hone its hunting instinct. Once the bird could secure its own food, caretakers modified the bird’s enclosure so it could start practicing flight. On September 10, the young Merlin spread its wings for release from BirdTLC property, flying confidently into its future.

Video: the young Merlin is released into the wild.

Why the influx of Merlins? “It is not unusual to have merlins come to us in small waves,” says Thorman. While there’s no clear reason for the surge, she notes that all three were juveniles hatched this year, which might make them more vulnerable. “The first few weeks on their own, Merlins are still figuring out the world and their wings.” With a little help from friends at BirdTLC, all three young merlins broke misfortune’s spell and returned to the wild.

Sick of Plastic: How Your Consumer Choices Can Help Fight a New Bird Disease

Author: J.K. Ullrich, Bird TLC Volunteer

In 2023, scientists described a new disease afflicting shearwaters on Australia’s Lord Howe Island. It damages the birds’ organs, alters their body chemistry, and reduces survival in chicks. The cause? Not bacteria, viruses, or parasites, but ingested plastic. 

Termed plasticosis, this disease occurs when plastic damages a bird’s digestive tracts. Scar tissue builds up over time and impairs organ function, a process called fibrosis. Humans develop a similar condition in their lungs from long-term smoking, and in their livers from alcohol abuse. (We may not be spared plasticosis, either. A 2019 study found that people may consume a credit card’s worth of plastic every week. That’s almost a pound per year!)

Some birds mistake plastic for food or the stones they swallow as digestive aids. Others accumulate it from the fish they eat. As many as 90% of young birds are fed plastic by their unknowing parents. In extreme cases, the chicks starve to death as their stomachs fill up with plastic, preventing digestion of any real food. Scientists reported that 40% percent of Laysan Albatross chicks on Midway Atoll die before fledging, their stomachs full of plastic trash.

Birds can hardly avoid plastic meals when 17.6 billion pounds of plastic enters the ocean every year. That’s equivalent to a garbage truck dumping its load into the waves every minute. Plastic takes centuries to decompose—450 years for a plastic water bottle, 600 years for fishing lines and nets—but wears down into particles that infiltrate the food chain. Larger pieces also create hazards for birds.

Gannets nest amind plastic. Photo credit: "The Age of Plastic Waste" by Tyros.andi, licensed by CC BY-SA 4.0

Plastic entanglement is documented in 265 bird species: 147 seabirds,  69 freshwater birds, and 49 land birds. Despite the iconic images of birds with six-pack rings around their necks, fishing gear accounts for 83% of the incidents. Some birds also mistake plastic for leaves, twigs, and other natural materials used to build their nests. Plastic-lined nurseries can injure delicate chicks. A 2014 study found that 85% of American crow nests contained plastic, which entangled 11 of 195 nestlings. 

An Osprey brings plastic to its nest. Photo credit: "Untitled photo" by john58, licensed CC BY 2.0

With new bird generations at risk, addressing plastic pollution is a key part of conservation. The United Nations resolved in 2022 to draft an agreement about curbing plastic waste, but you can make simple changes to help right now. First, be aware that the famous arrow-triangle icon doesn’t necessarily mean a plastic item is recyclable! Depending on your local services, only certain numbers can be processed. In Anchorage, most curbside recycling only accepts numbers 1 and 2. A new center that opened last month also takes numbers 4 and 5. 

Although recycling plastic beats throwing it away, it’s not a reliable solution. Many objects are made of mixed plastic types, which cannot be separated and made into anything new. Only 9% of the plastic waste created as of 2015 had been recycled, according to one study; almost 80% ended up in landfills or the environment. It’s better to just use less. Keep plastic from harming our ecosystems with these strategies:

• Reduce the amount of plastic you consume. Buy goods in truly recyclable glass or paper packaging when possible. Store food in reusable containers rather than plastic zipper bags. 

• Refuse throwaway plastic items like shopping bags and utensils. Bring your own reusable versions, and talk to your favorite venues about switching to sustainable options.

• Rethink. Do you really need that plastic bauble or single-use party decor? Save money and birds by saying ‘no’ to frivolous plastics. Use a refillable water bottle instead of buying flimsy ones by the case. Beware plastic-based fabrics in “fast fashion”; look for alternatives made from natural materials. 

With a little forethought and creativity, you can help keep plastic out of birds’ bellies! And if you find a bird harmed by plastic waste, contact us at 907-562-4852.

Alaska is a Seabird Sanctuary, But There’s Trouble in Paradise

by J.K. Ullrich

Summer is tourist season in Alaska, and the largest group of visitors arrives on the wing. Every year millions of birds travel the Pacific Flyway, a migratory route that stretches from Patagonia to this Arctic oasis. Alaska’s 46,000 miles of coastline offers protected nesting areas, and the surrounding seas produce lots of food. These conditions attract more than 40 species of seabirds and one-third of the world’s shorebird species to raise new generations in the Last Frontier.

Alaska’s coastal birds are as diverse as its habitats. Lake Clark’s mud flats host more than 100,000 Sandpipers and Dunlins each spring. Endangered Kittlitz’s Murrelets nest in Wrangell-St. Elias and Glacier Bay National Parks. Further north, tundras provide a chilly nursery for Steller’s Eiders and the Yellow-billed Loons. Numerous other seabird types inhabit Alaskan waters:

• Cormorants go ashore after fishing to dry their short wings in the sun.

• Guillemots rank among the deepest bird divers, reaching depths of more than 300 feet.

• Kittiwakes are small gulls that nest on high cliffs, where their chicks have few predators.

• Murrelet populations have declined due to habitat loss and global warming.

• Petrels live on the open ocean and only return to land to breed.

• Sea ducks comprise 15 species in North America—such as eiders, mergansers, and scoters— and all nest in Alaska.

• Terns are known for their long-distance migrations; thanks to its polar travels, the Arctic tern may see more daylight every year than any other animal.

• Puffins sport brightly colored beaks during breeding season, which help them dig burrows up to 50 feet long for their egg.

Puffins in particular serve as sentinels for ocean health. Nearly all of the world’s three million tufted puffins breed in Alaska. They are generalist hunters, so when a puffling hatches, the parents feed it a buffet of local seafood. Researchers collect these diet samples to study fish populations and inform fisheries management. Insights from puffin catches also help monitor the state of Alaska’s marine ecosystems, which have suffered a difficult few decades. 

Tufted Puffins. Photo credit: J.K. Ullrich

It began with shifts in ocean conditions in the late 1970s, which triggered long-term declines in many bird, mammal, and crustacean populations. Then the tanker vessel Exxon Valdez ran aground in 1989, spilling 42 million liters of oil into Prince William Sound. This ecological disaster killed up to a quarter-million seabirds, along with other animals. Bird TLC’s founder, Dr. James Scott, helped care for affected birds in the aftermath. 

While seabird populations fought to recover from long-term ecosystem damage, new challenges arose. Two and a half decades after the oil spill, a prolonged marine heatwave in the the Gulf of Alaska collapsed multiple fisheries. Many seabirds starved. From 2015 to 2019, warming ocean temperatures in the Bering Sea changed the distribution of both fish and the seabirds that eat them. More disruptions loom as glacier loss in Southeastern Alaska threatens to alter coastal ecosystems.

Gulls are possibly the most recognizable seabird. As icons of adaptability, they make themselves comfortable in urban settings during the nesting season—buildings offer nesting sites that resemble cliffs and dumpsters provide reliable food. Because of the number of gulls in urban areas, people often find orphaned chicks and bring them to Bird Treatment and Learning Center. 20 gull chicks have been raised by volunteers and staff so far this summer, all Short-billed Gulls save for a single Cook Inlet Gull (a hybrid between Herring Gull and Glaucous Winged Gull).

A young gull skims along the water. Photo credit: J.K. Ullrich

With help from dedicated caretakers and conservation support from all their human allies, seabirds can continue to flourish on Alaska’s coastlines.

Tonsina, Alaska. Photo credit: J.K. Ullrich

Loons, Lines, and Lead

Author: J.K. Ulrich, Bird TLC Volunteer

Alaskans with and without feathers enjoy fishing beneath the midnight sun, but the tackle human anglers use often proves fatal for birds, especially loons. These iconic waterfowl “are extremely susceptible to lead toxicity due to their feeding behavior," says Bird TLC veterinarian Dr. Karen Higgs. Loons can mistake sinkers for fish, or for the small pebbles they swallow to help digest their food. Just one sinker can kill a loon. Accidental ingestion of lead fishing tackle causes up to half of all adult loon deaths.

Although Bird TLC has treated several birds with lead poisoning, most victims don’t show symptoms until it is too late. The best way to keep lead out of birds is to keep it out of tackle boxes. Loons, Lines, and Lead, an Anchorage-based conservation initiative, recommends two simple steps anglers can take to help preserve Alaska’s ecosystems:

1. Switch to non-toxic tackle made from materials like steel, glass, tungsten, and tin.

2. Properly dispose of used monofilament so it will not entangle and harm wildlife.

Bird TLC is proud to partner with this effort. Learn more about loons, lead, and responsible fishing in this month’s issue of Senior Voice Alaska.

Pacific Loon at Nancy Lakes Recreation Area. Photo by Lisa Hupp_USFWS

Three Things To Know Before You “Rescue” A Baby Bird

Author: J.K. Ullrich, Bird TLC volunteer

Summertime turns some Alaskan birdwatchers into accidental kidnappers. “That baby bird hopping around outside must have fallen out of the nest. Maybe I should take it home…” Wait! Most “abandoned” baby birds are healthy fledglings, and human intervention can harm their development. It’s also illegal. Before attempting to “rescue” a baby bird, consider these three critical points.

1. Baby Birds Are Less Helpless Than You Think

While not all baby birds make it, nature’s support systems give them a fighting chance. Biologists classify species into two categories based on their development at birth: precocial and altricial. 

Precocial birds are equipped for survival right from the egg. They hatch with their eyes open, already covered in down. Within a few hours, they can follow their parents and forage. Ducks, shorebirds, and ground-nesting birds are usually precocial.

Altricial birds start life as scrawny pink creatures, nest-bound and dependent. But their devoted parents provide everything they need. The investment pays off in larger brain size. Highly intelligent birds like corvids and parrots, as well as raptors and songbirds, raise altricial young. 

Recognizing baby birds’ growth stages can help determine whether they need human help:

• Hatchlings (0-3 days old) have their eyes shut, and wisps of down on their wrinkly bodies.

• Nestlings (3-13 days old) have opened their eyes, but their wing feathers are still in protective sheaths.

• Fledglings (13-14 days or older) are fully feathered and ready to leave the nest, although they may not be confident flyers yet. They flutter around exploring while their parents keep watch nearby.

Many chicks mistaken for orphans are actually normal fledglings. Taking them from the wild is kidnapping, and runs afoul (or more literally, a-FOWL) of federal law. 

Nestling Black-capped Chickadees brought to Bird TLC’s clinic the summer of 2023.

2. Birdnapping is Illegal and Harmful

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act bans anyone except licensed wildlife rehabilitators from keeping wild birds. This discourages poaching and preserves the birds’ instincts, since raising chicks by hand “removes the opportunity for them to learn from their own species,” says Maggie McConkey, a Rehabilitation and Education Specialist at Bird TLC.

Inexperienced caretakers can inadvertently make birds ill. Without appropriate food, chicks suffer malnutrition and metabolic bone disease. Even birds that appear healthy may be at risk when released. McConkey recalls one case where a young thrush raised by a non-expert collided with an object on its first flight, breaking so many bones that it had to be euthanized.

If a baby bird does need care, it must come from trained rehabilitators. Bird TLC has received an average of 277 young birds annually over the past five years. Uninjured orphans comprise almost 20% of total patient intakes. Dedicated volunteers raise many of these foundlings. “Although we do a great job raising these babies to the best of our capability, we’re not a bird,” says McConkey. Humans should only intervene during genuine emergencies.

Maggie McConkey feeds a young Common Raven.

3. Give Nature A Chance

No matter how adorably that fledgling robin gapes at you, only its parents can teach it how to be a bird. “It’s important to remember to give nature a chance—give parents a chance to raise their young,” says McConkey. Here are some things you can do to help wild baby birds survive:

• Monitor cats and dogs outdoors to prevent them hunting chicks.

• Avoid trimming trees during nesting season.

• Don’t disturb nesting areas.

• Support preservation of wild environments.

When you observe a chick that might be in trouble, this flowchart can help you identify how to handle the situation. If you’re unsure, call Bird TLC!

Meet The BirdTLC Team: Katie Thorman, Rehabilitation Program Coordinator

Author: J.K. Ullrich, Bird TLC volunteer

BirdTLC couldn’t support its patients and ambassador birds without a dedicated crew of humans. Get to know one of them in this Q&A session with our Rehabilitation Program Coordinator, Katie Thorman. She’ll discuss her surprising journey into bird rehabilitation, her favorite patients, and the rescue of one very sticky raven!

How did you get into wild bird rehabilitation?

I started my career in a totally opposite direction, thinking I wanted to work in the hospitality industry. I lasted about three months at a luxury hotel and I hated it and I wanted to do something else entirely. I had always loved being outdoors and wildlife, but the idea of a science degree sounded overwhelming—I was terrified of the chemistry and calculus, and hadn’t been a great student in high school. I finally decided to just go for it. I quit my job and started a degree in biology.

From there, I started looking at how I could get involved in more hands-on wildlife experience. I found the Savannah Wildlife Rescue (SWR) and applied to volunteer. After my first shift, I was hooked! SWR was a seasonal wildlife rescue that mainly dealt in rehabbing orphaned baby wildlife. I spent many hours helping care for raccoons, possums, squirrels, white-tailed deer, and river otters. I spent two and half years with SWR, thinking “this is something I can see myself doing forever.” 

Midway through the third year, in July 2020, my husband and I found out we were moving to Alaska. While I was researching wildlife rehabilitation opportunities in Alaska, my search led me to Bird TLC. I had always loved birds of prey and it was an area I didn’t have experience in, so I thought I would give it a try. My first shift at Bird TLC was in August 2021, and once again, I became hooked! I volunteered in the rehabilitation clinic, which eventually led to a job offer in June 2022. Working somewhere like Bird TLC was (and still is!) my dream job. I now work full-time as the rehabilitation program coordinator as well as with the education team, helping care for our wonderful collection of ambassador birds.

Are there unique challenges and rewards in working with birds, as opposed to other animals?

There are so many different types of birds! The diversity among species can sometimes be challenging, especially if you have never had a certain type of bird in a rehabilitation setting before. That being said, this is something I also love about wild bird rehabilitation: there is always something new to learn.

Katie assists Dr. Karen Higgs with the examination of a Great Horned Owl.

There is a special kind of magic around being able to help a bird regain their flight. Because we see birds of all species in our day-to-day lives, it’s easy to become desensitized to just how uniquely adapted they are to fly. To help restore that and see the bird you spent your time caring for take flight at the finish line is so rewarding.

Katie releases a rehabilitated juvenile Bald Eagle.

Tell me about one of your most memorable cases.

My very first day as part of the staff, I got a call about a raven stuck to the top of a restaurant’s roof. After going on top of the roof, I found a huge grease pit that this raven had likely flown into. The grease acted as an adhesive, and the raven likely became covered after struggling to get out. I brought him back to the clinic and, after many baths and de-grease treatments, he was released without damage to his feathers. 

Is there a species you like to work with the most or the least?

Each species is unique and interesting! If I had to pick, I really enjoy my time with bald eagles and northern saw-whet owls. Bald eagles are the raptor we see the most, and I have gained a lot of experience in caring and handling these birds. With that experience has come an appreciation and love for the species.

Saw-whet owls are my other favorite because how can you not love a tiny owl? They are tiny, but mighty! Owls will clack their beaks when they feel threatened and want you to stay away from them. When you have to handle a saw-whet owl for medical treatments, their beak clacks sound like a small and adorable typewriter. While they are doing their best to be fierce and tough, they often come off looking very silly and cute. These behaviors have only endeared them to me more. 

Katie dons an owl mask to feed an orphaned Northern Saw-whet Owl.

What can people do to help wild birds thrive?

There are lots of things!

• Keep your cat indoors

• Dimming lights and outfitting windows with visual patterns to prevent window strikes can be helpful for our songbirds, especially during migration.

• Throw away trash and fishing lines to prevent entanglements

• If you are a hunter, switch to lead free ammunition, avoid the use of lead sinkers when fishing, and bury entrails when field-dressing a carcass. 

• Plant native plants in your garden 

• If you have chickens, make their living area predator proof. We’ve had raptors get tangled up in netting—I suggest wire mesh instead. 

• Stay informed about what is going on in your community! It’s a great way to get involved in conserving important wildlife habitats in your area.

My Feathered Valentine: How Three Alaskan Bird Species Woo Their Mates

Author: J.K. Ullrich, Bird TLC volunteer

If you lavish someone special with candy, bouquets, or shiny objects this Valentine’s Day, you’re courting like a bird. Bird species around the world woo their intended with treats, present prospective mates with flower petals, and even bring their partners pebbles to help build a nest (more like giving your true love a brick than jewelry). Alaska’s chilly climate doesn’t cool this avian ardor. Our native lovebirds win their valentines in some extraordinary ways.

The Dancers: Sandhill Cranes

Photo courtesy of Paul Arneson

Springtime turns Alaskan marshes into ballrooms for cranes who perform a famous pas de deux. The male and female exchange bows, then perform a sequence of moves. Leaps. Struts. Bobs. Aerial pirouettes with long legs dangling. The cranes might toss tufts of grass into the air, frolicking with their six-foot wingspan extended. Although dancing is often associated with courtship, it can occur year-round: once a pair starts a dance, the entire flock may join in!  

Dance moves aren’t the only measure of a partner’s appeal. While humans may fret about baldness, sandhill cranes find it an attractive trait. Their distinctive red caps aren’t feathers, but a patch of bare skin that recedes as they age. A bigger bald spot indicates the bird has survived multiple migrations, telegraphing experience and good health to potential mates.

The Troubadours: Great Horned Owls

Photo courtesy of J. Hunter Photography

Not all Alaskan birds need to strut and sway: music alone is enough to get them in the mood. A basso croon late at night might not be Barry White, but a Great Horned Owl. Nesting earlier than any other North American owl species, their courtship begins in autumn, often with a duet. According to Audubon, “the female usually hoots first, and the male replies at a lower pitch.” Females are about a third bigger in body size, but males have larger voice boxes. Listen carefully to distinguish their parts in the song.

Great Horned Owls usually pick their mates by December and begin nest-hunting in January. Notoriously unfussy  homeowners, they have been observed nesting in tree cavities, abandoned buildings, and old eagle nests. When the owlets have fledged and winter comes again, the same ballads ring through the frosty woods. Even though most Great Horned Owl pairs mate for life, they engage in courtship behavior each year to reinforce their bond and establish their territory. 

The Showoffs: Grouses

Several species of grouse call Alaska home, and these gaudy Galliformes attract mates with elaborate performances. Sharp-tailed Grouse gather at open display areas called leks. Up to 20 males may occupy this love arena at once, competing in the avian equivalent of speed dating. They spread their wings, rattle their tails, and and execute fancy footwork. Violet throat sacs inflate to coo and gobble at their female audience, showing off their best features.

The Ruffed Grouse prefers a solo act. With a stump or log as his stage, he fans his wings to compress the air, making a ‘thump’ sound. He accelerates until the noise becomes a drumroll that carries up to a quarter mile. Ornithologist Arthur Cleveland Bent described this sound as "the throbbing heart of awakening spring.” It’s a loud advertisement to females in the neighborhood, and also warns other males away from his territory, which can extend to ten acres.

Show birds some love with a wildlife-friendlier Valentine’s Day:

• People exchange an estimated 180 million cards on Valentine’s Day, and most end up in landfills. Recycle cards—even better, choose cards with recycled paper—to preserve trees for birds.

• February is too cold to grow roses in most of North America, so many iconic red roses come from South America in refrigerated trucks that use 25% more fuel than regular trucks. Rather than accelerate the greenhouse gas emissions that threaten bird habitats, consider giving a houseplant or potted herb.

• Cacao cultivation often involves deforestation and pesticides that harm wildlife. Avoid chocolate with rainforest-destroying palm oil, and use reputable resources like the Chocolate Scorecard to choose sustainable candy products.

Resolve to Help Alaska's Wild Birds in 2024

Author: J.K. Ullrich, Bird TLC volunteer

Should avian acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? Not at Bird TLC! As we turn our calendars to 2024, here are five bird-friendly pledges to round out your New Year’s resolutions.

1) Feed Birds in Winter

More than 100 bird species stay in Alaska for the winter. Many native species cache food in the fall, and survive on these supplies along with natural offerings  such as birch and alder seeds. However, our feeding stations can support them during extreme weather events. Before committing to feed birds during the winter, read about the pros and cons of backyard feeding.  And remember to be bear aware: feeders should come down in the spring and not go back up until November! If you decide to feed winter birds, set feeders near shrubs and trees that shelter birds from predators. To avoid birds colliding with windows, the National Audubon Society recommends placing feeders and birdbaths within three feet of the nearest window or more than 30 feet from the house. If you’re worried about collisions, there’s more you can do.

2) Prevent Birds Colliding With Windows

Window collisions kill as many as one billion birds in the United States every year. You might have already experienced this tragedy at home. Strikes often occur on large windows or glass doors that reflect trees and sky, or windows across from bird feeders and food plants. Fortunately, there are simple and inexpensive solutions to make problematic windows more bird-safe. Cords or adhesive decals can help birds distinguish the glass. You can even paint a design of your own! Ensure the pattern is clearly visible from ten feet away, allowing birds enough time to recognize the window and change course mid-flight. The American Bird Conservancy offers detailed guidance on reducing window collisions. By redirecting birds from mirrored habitats, you’ll help them thrive in the real ones.

3) Cultivate Native Plants

Birds rely on plants for more than just food. Plants provide shelter from elements and predators; sites and materials for nests; and even vantage points for hunting. Growing native Alaskan plants supports a healthy ecosystem for wildlife. For bird habitat, the Alaska Native Plant Society recommends berries, asters, dragonhead mint, goldenrods, sedge, and myriad trees. Layered landscapes—a mix of ground cover, shrubs, and trees—will attract the greatest diversity of wildlife. Got a brown thumb? Let a patch go wild! Birds love to hide in thickets and untamed grasses. And don’t rush to tidy the garden at summer’s end: drying seed pods and fallen leaves offer valuable forage for birds in colder seasons. Treating your outdoor space as an ecosystem can create a bird sanctuary, and a laboratory for citizen science.

In the photos above, birds take advantage of the native plants in a wild area in a yard. Photo credit: Bird TLC staff.

4) Participate in a Citizen Science Project

Unleash your inner wildlife biologist in 2024! Several participatory science projects—popularly known as citizen science—collect reports from birdwatchers. Researchers use this data to track species’ populations, migrations, and range. If you’re new to these programs, a good place to start is the annual Great Backyard Bird Count, led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society. For four days each February, people across North America observe and count birds in their neighborhoods. This year’s event takes place from February 16-19 2024. For a longer program, consider Project FeederWatch, which surveys birds from November to April on a schedule of your choice. Birdwatchers can also use the eBird platform year-round to tally sightings anywhere in the world.

5) Keep Habitats Hazard-Free

Birds and humans alike revel in Alaska’s magnificent outdoors, but we aren’t always considerate of our winged neighbors. Wherever your adventures lead, respect nesting and conservation sites (imagine how you’d feel if a noisy flock of birds barged into your bedroom)! Also consider the impact of your recreation on wildlife. Anglers should know the dangers that lead tackle and discarded fishing line can pose to waterfowl, including Alaska’s beloved loons. Although the United States banned lead shot for hunting waterfowl in 1991, using it on other game can still harm raptors that eat carrion. Find out more about hunting without lead and resolve to make the switch this year! 

6) Support Bird Rehabilitation and Conversation

The staunchest bird lover’s resolutions might waver against the threats of climate change, habitat loss, and pollution. But non-profit wildlife organizations like BirdTLC work to improve stewardship of nature, one bird at a time. Volunteering time or donating funds or resources to your favorite conservation effort can help ensure Alaska’s birds will thrive for many years to come. And remember, if you see an injured, ill, or orphaned wild bird, call us for assistance. 

We at BirdTLC wish you a happy and prosperous New Year!

Wings of Winter: Rehabilitating a Northern Hawk Owl

While summertime rescue birds are primarily orphaned chicks who need dedicated human foster parents, like those we introduced in August and September, a change of seasons brings different patients to Bird TLC. “In the winter, there are no healthy orphans. Every bird that comes in is a medical case,” says Avian Care Director Dr. Karen Higgs. Bird TLC’s 458th bird of the year was no exception, although it was rather exceptional: a Northern Hawk Owl, one of only two diurnal owl species in the world. They’re more common in Alaska’s interior, where open forests and bogs provide an ideal hunting environment, but this one was struck by a car along the coastal Seward Highway.

First taken to the Alaska Sealife Center in Seward, the owl transferred to Bird TLC for rehabilitation. X-rays revealed a fracture in the wrist-like bone of his right wing. Bird bones heal much more quickly than human bones—sometimes in only 7-10 days—so breaks can fuse crookedly without prompt intervention. This lucky owl arrived in time for treatment. Two weeks in a splint repaired the wing enough for physical therapy. Since birds can’t follow an exercise program, initial sessions take place under anesthesia, with a rehabilitator manipulating the limb. Once the injury stabilizes, the birds further strengthen their muscles through natural movement.

Flapping around an enclosure made the owl strong enough to fly again. Before discharge, Dr. Higgs performed a final checkup. She weighed the bird and assessed the wing’s range of motion. Except for a naughty finger nibble, the patient cooperated. This tolerant nature makes Northern Hawk Owls vulnerable to poaching. Vehicle collisions, entanglement with power lines, and predation from larger raptors also pose threats. Our owl had survived one such encounter, and the exam concluded that he had recovered well.  He’d gained a few healthy grams (and tried to cache part of his rodent lunch for a later snack, normal behavior in the wild). Vibrant yellow eyes stared around the surgical room. After tidying a few damaged tail feathers, Dr. Higgs deemed the owl ready to return home.

But where was “home”? Rehabilitators try to release birds in the area where they were found; however, this owl was rescued along a highway, leaving his territory unclear. Tasha DiMarzio, a waterfowl biologist from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, analyzed local geography for a suitable spot. “Since this is a hawk owl, he likes the boreal forest habitat, which is black spruce mixed with some aspen and birch. Seward is a rainforest,” she explained. That meant balancing the region of origin with a habitat where the owl would thrive. DiMarzio scouted locations between Seward and Anchorage, evaluating conditions. 

Winter weather complicated the decision. Ice crust atop the snow could inhibit the owl’s hunting technique: like their namesakes, Northern Hawk Owls spot prey from a high perch and pounce on it beneath the snow. Short daylight also left little time for the owl to find a roosting spot before nightfall. On the first day of December, DiMarzio and the owl raced the sunset back along the Seward Highway. With a beat of restored wings, the owl took off into its new landscape, carrying the hopes of Bird TLC’s dedicated crew. “There’s a lot of energy from the staff that goes into rehabilitation,” says DiMarzio, “so I try and think of the best habitat I can put this bird into, to give it its best chance.”

Bird TLC is grateful to all those involved with this bird’s rehabilitation - staff, volunteers, the Alaska Sealife Center, and Tasha DiMarzio. 

Story and photos by Bird TLC volunteer J.K. Ullrich

You can help more birds be rehabilitated and released into the wild with your donation. Thank you.

The Story of Lady Swan from Lake Lucille, Wasilla, Alaska

Once upon a time, there was a Trumpeter Swan who could not fly. She was living life as best she could on Lake Lucille in Wasilla, while the community watched after her and worried about her.

Caring residents contacted Bird Treatment and Learning Center (Bird TLC) and Alaska WildBird in Houston, AK, asking what either rehabilitation facility could do to help this swan. Alaska WildBird agreed to try to capture the swan, and Bird TLC agreed to take the swan in and assess her situation.

For better or worse, the swan had become habituated to people, so she was easy to lure into a garage with food. Alaska WildBird placed her in a kennel and transported her to Bird TLC, where Dr. Karen Higgs, Avian Care Director and Veterinarian, examined her. Dr. Higgs found that her left wing had been broken and fused in place, preventing her from flying.

We settled the swan into the outdoor waterfowl area, and staff and volunteers began the daily tasks of caring for her. Meanwhile, a search for placement was launched.

Alaska WildBird knew of a facility in Washington that was interested in a male swan as a companion to their female. However, biologists with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) determined that the swan was a second-year female. So, the search continued.

Tasha DiMarzio, Fish and Wildlife Biologist with ADF&G contacted Tiffany Mayo, Area Lead Hospital Keeper and Trumpeter Swan SSP Coordinator with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, hoping Tiffany could help find a permanent home for the swan.

In the meantime, volunteers at Bird TLC discovered that "Lady Swan," as they called her, was lonely. Because she enjoyed the company of humans, they spent as much time with her as possible and placed a mirror in her enclosure so she could see "another" swan when she had to be left alone.

On October 12, a month after Lady Swan arrived at Bird TLC, placement was found. Shane Good, Senior Director at the Akron Zoo, said they would be thrilled to give the swan a home.

Bird TLC would transfer Lady Swan to Lake Erie Nature and Science Center (LENSC) in Bay Village, OH, another rehabilitation facility to expedite the process. From there, she would move to the Akron Zoo after all in-state paperwork was completed. Two Bird TLC supporters stepped in with a generous donation to cover transport costs.

We booked Lady Swan on an Alaska Airlines cargo flight to Cleveland, OH. The poor swan had to fly a red-eye - her flight left at 2:55 am! And poor Dr. Karen had to be at the clinic at 10 pm to kennel Lady Swan and drive her to the airport. Bird TLC's Rehabilitation Assistant, Katie Thorman, would meet up with Lady Swan at the Cleveland airport.

An Ohio native, Katie had family nearby, so she enlisted her mother to meet her and the swan at the airport and drive them to the LENSC. While en route, her mother kept saying, "I can't believe I have a swan in my car!" Thanks to Katie's mom, Lady Swan arrived safely at LENSC, the first stop on her way to her new home at Akron Zoo.

Thank you to everyone involved in Lady Swan's story for caring about her and helping her find her new home.

Become a recurring donor to help more wild birds in need throughout the year!

Photos and video by Bird TLC volunteer, R. Liu

Raising Orphaned Baby Birds

Last month, we featured Cindy and Dave Schraer, Bird TLC volunteers who raise orphaned waterfowl. This month, we spotlight another passionate volunteer, Karen Coady, who raises orphaned songbirds.

Raising young birds, especially songbirds, is no easy feat. It requires round-the-clock care - feeding and watering, cage cleaning, monitoring health, and eventually flight testing before release. Despite all this, Karen single-handedly raised over 20 orphaned songbirds this summer.

Karen provides a heat source to babies who can't yet thermoregulate, gives Pedialyte to combat dehydration, feeds, feeds, and feeds until the little ones can eat independently.

Karen takes on the responsibility of raising these orphans without complaint or hesitation. She is a rockstar volunteer who gives every young rescue 100% of her attention and care. If that weren't enough, she is also part of Bird TLC's Education Team and presents conservation education programs to the public.

One of Karen's favorite releases this year was three young Violet-green Swallows who came to her late in the summer. With only a short window open before all the adult swallows had left for migration, she worked hard to encourage these little ones to fly, but to no avail.

Fortunately, friends of Bird TLC's had a second clutch of Violet-green Swallows in a nesting box. One of the babies was reluctant to leave the safety of the nest, so the parents were still feeding him.

Karen and another volunteer placed the three orphans in the nesting box and waited anxiously to see what would happen. The parents swooped in immediately and began feeding. By the next morning, all the babies had left the box! These moments inspire Karen to dedicate her summers to raising and releasing orphaned songbirds.

We are grateful to Karen for all of her hard work on behalf of the wild birds of Alaska!

Orphaned Waterfowl of Anchorage and the Volunteers Who Care for Them

As our short Alaskan summer comes to a close, our work at Bird TLC slows but doesn't stop. And while the summer may have been short, it sure was busy.

Baby birds were the majority of Bird TLC's intakes from May-August, including over 100 orphaned waterfowl. We want to introduce you to our waterfowl-loving volunteers, Dave and Cindy Schraer, and highlight their incredible work.

A family of Green-winged Teals orphaned when their mother was struck by car.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) (Read about HPAI and Bird TLC's preventative protocols at the end of this post) has made caring for orphaned waterfowl challenging. Because waterfowl are asymptomatic carriers of HPAI, they are cared for in a quarantine area, allowing us to rehabilitate them safely and responsibly. This area has been affectionately coined "Gullville" by Dave and Cindy.

Dave has volunteered for Bird TLC for over a decade (since 2008!). He has worked with raptors, corvids, and songbirds and now specializes in caring for orphaned waterfowl. Cindy has volunteered at Bird TLC since 2019, getting her start by hand-feeding baby gulls. Now she's hooked on gulls!

The hard-working Schraers, both retired doctors, are invaluable volunteers who manage the set-up and running of Gullville throughout the summer with the help of other volunteers and staff. They are involved with every step of caring for orphaned waterfowl - from the initial care to release back into the wild. They spend their days cleaning, feeding, and monitoring the health and behavior of each of their charges. At the height of the season, the Schraers can have up to 60 baby birds at once!

Cindy and Dave estimate that in the summer of 2022, the first year of HPAI, they worked 8-10 hours daily in the waterfowl quarantine area. But before the waterfowl arrived, they spent a month and a half constructing the quarantine area with the assistance of other volunteers and staff. This year, they were grateful for additional help from the Alaska Chapter of the America Zoo Keepers Association.

Operating Gullville, as Cindy describes, is no easy feat; it requires a lot of work physically, mentally, and emotionally, but the reward of releasing rehabilitated young waterfowl into the wild makes it worth the effort to them.

An orphaned Common Goldeneye and Canada Goose gosling cuddle together.

We can't begin to express how much we appreciate all the Schraers do for Alaska's wild birds and Bird TLC.

Next month, we’ll meet the volunteer who raises baby songbirds.

About HPAI and Bird TLC's preventative protocols:

HPAI is a highly contagious and tough virus that can survive freezing temperatures and remain viable in aquatic environments. Raptors, like Bald Eagles, are highly susceptible to contracting the virus.

With the significant outbreak of HPAI in 2022, many avian rehabilitation centers across the country temporarily closed their clinics or stopped admitting waterfowl to keep their resident education birds safe from the virus. Waterfowl are asymptomatic carriers and can pass the disease to other birds simply by shedding the virus in their saliva, nasal fluids, and feces.

Bird TLC has remained open to all species of birds throughout the HPAI outbreak. We implemented and continue to follow strict protocols to keep our Ambassador Birds safe and prevent the spread of the virus from an infected wild bird to an uninfected bird.

Baby Birds: To Help or Not to Help?

It’s summer and that means many Good Samaritans are calling about an all-too-common situation that appears worrisome but is typically not a cause for concern: young birds, called fledglings, on the ground, making their first attempts at learning how to fly. 

This period when fledglings are "grounded" is a natural part of the growing-up process. Sometimes fledglings will be grounded for a week or longer while trying to learn the ropes. Meanwhile, the parents remain nearby, keeping a watchful eye and tending to their young when needed. 

One common bird you might encounter as a fledging is a Black-billed Magpie. Magpies are omnivores that nest in trees, forage on the ground, and are found throughout open woodlands across the state. They frequent urban, human-developed areas because of the excellent foraging opportunities these areas provide. It is common to come across adults and fledglings throughout the trails and city of Anchorage. You can read more details about Black-billed Magpies, including their species range and how to identify them, here.

Several magpie fledglings have come into the clinic this summer. When caring for these fledglings, we must ensure they do not imprint on us. Imprinting occurs when a young bird is exposed to humans at a crucial age while learning how to be a bird. When wild birds imprint on humans, they look to humans for food, care, and social bonding since they no longer think of themselves as birds.

Rehabilitation Assistant, Katie Thorman, feeds a fledgling magpie.

The unfortunate result of imprinting is that the bird's chance of surviving in the wild is significantly reduced. 

Magpies and other corvids, such as ravens and Steller's Jays, rely on social connections and bonds with other birds, so they are more susceptible than other bird species to imprinting on humans.

Bird TLC's Ambassador and social media darling, Shavila, is a magpie that we could not release back into the wild because she had imprinted on humans. Because she is imprinted, she is comfortable living her life under human care. Shavila still has many magpie traits - she is chatty, smart, inquisitive, and excellent at caching.

When Shavila came to Bird TLC, she had the blue eyes that all young magpies have.

The best chance of long-term survival for fledglings is to learn how to be a bird from their parents. Humans should only get involved if a fledgling has been orphaned or injured.

You can help keep wild baby birds stay wild by waiting and watching from a distance to see if parents are coming to care for them. If you don't see parents in the immediate area, you can approach the fledgling and see if parents suddenly appear, letting you know they would like you to back away. If the parents are tending to the grounded fledgling, then all is good, and there is no reason for the fledgling to come into human care.

Alaska's Wild Birds Need Alaska’s Native Plants

In 2022, the Garden Club of America began a nationwide initiative to promote native plants. Their goal was to establish a Native Plant Month in every state. 

Led by the Alaska Native Plant Society, several organizations, including Bird Treatment and Learning Center, came together this year to ask Governor Dunleavy to proclaim a Native Plant Month in Alaska. Elsewhere in the United States (or the lower 48 as Alaskans say), National Native Plant Month occurs in April, but with winter slow to loosen its hold on our northern state, May was chosen as Alaska's Native Plant Month. 

Why is Bird TLC invested in National Native Plant Month? Because the birds we love depend on native plants for their survival. 

Birds rely on plants in various ways - for shelter and shade, protection from predators, nesting material, nesting sites, and perching.

With some observation, it's easy to see the connection between birds and native plants. As snow fell and a cold wind blew on a wintry April day, we watched a newly-arrived robin perch in a White Spruce to take cover from the inclement weather. See movement in an alder thicket? Stop to look and you’ll see migratory songbirds flitting among the dense cover, staying safe from predators. And that bird going head first down the spruce tree outside your window? That’s a Red-breasted Nuthatch searching for insects.

Birch, aspen, cottonwood, black spruce, and willow are other woody plants that benefit wild birds. They offer food (sap, seeds, and insects), nesting materials (bark, leaves, twigs), and nesting sites to wild birds. Berrying shrubs, such as blueberry, red elderberry, and red raspberry, sustain birds with their fruits. 

Familiar backyard birds that utilize these plants are numerous, including woodpeckers, Black-capped and Boreal Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creepers, Common Redpolls, Pine Siskins, Bohemian Waxwings, Dark-eyed Juncos, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, sparrows, warblers, thrushes, and flycatchers.

Native perennials and ferns are also crucial to Alaska's wild birds. Common Redpolls enjoy fireweed seeds, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Dark-eyed Juncos gather nesting material from this well-known flower. Lady Fern provides shelter to Black-capped and Boreal Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Dark-eyed Juncos, and several sparrow species, to name a few. 

Photo credit: Rob Tappana

You can help Alaska's wild birds by including native plants in your landscaping and planting in layers - adding groundcovers to perennial beds and planting understory shrubs beneath trees. Let a patch of your yard retain some wildness - let the alders, cow parsnip, raspberry, and elderberry grow. And leave your garden clean up for spring. Birds will take advantage of flower seeds and forage for insects among the fallen leaves.

The birds will thank you and may see new birds in your yard who come to capitalize on those resources! 

Read more about gardening for birds and other wildlife in "Landscaping for Wildlife" by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Other sources:

https://nationalnativeplantmonth.org/

https://www.migratorybirdday.org/

Thank you to Bird TLC volunteer Lisa Pajot for the information on which native plants are important to birds.

A Saw-whet Owl’s story of rehabilitation and release in Anchorage, Alaska

We received a call from a Good Samaritan about an unusual patient at Providence Hospital. They weren't sure if he wanted to go inside or was just passing the time and admiring the landscaping. They told us he was about 8 inches tall, had yellow eyes, and mottled cinnamon, brown, and red feathers. Feathers? Yes, feathers. This patient was a Northern Saw-whet Owl that refused to leave the safety of the bush he was perched in, despite being surrounded by a small crowd. 

As the group stood around the owl, wondering how to help, a woman approached to see what was happening. Because she had volunteered for Bird TLC, she could assess the situation and knew how what to do for this tiny owl. She instructed an onlooker to get a box and towel. After safely securing the owl in the box, she contacted us. A rehabilitation volunteer hurried to the hospital and brought the owl to the clinic.

The owl was unusually quiet and was squinting one eye, so Bird TLC veterinarians suspected their new patient had suffered head trauma. 

We treated him with pain medication and eye drops and placed him in a quiet, dark enclosure.

In the wild, Northern Saw-whet Owls eat primarily small mammals so we fed him pieces of rat. Initially, we used tongs to feed him to ensure he would eat and maintain weight.

Once the owl had recuperated and shown us that he could eat independently and all signs of head trauma had resolved, we coordinated his release. 

Dr. Karen scouted for a release site close to where the owl was found. We wanted to return him to the territory where he had likely been raised the previous year. The wooded area also met the preferences of Northern Saw-whet Owls. These owls like to forage in a forest with an open understory, nest in deciduous trees, and roost in conifers.

Other staff coordinated with the family who had won an owl release at a recent auction. They were particularly excited because their young sons, especially their 6-year-old, are fascinated by owls. 

Within 48 hours of determining the owl was ready for release, everyone had gathered on a Saturday evening, ready to set the owl free.

Dr. Karen instructed the young boys on how to help with the release. They held the carrier as still as possible and patiently waited for the owl to fly out. With some encouragement from Dr. Karen, the owl flew from the carrier, landed on a tree in front of the group, watched us for a few moments, and then flew off into the woods.

We loved sharing this special moment with this family of owl admirers. Their mother told us, “The owl release was an absolutely amazing experience for our family!  My sons talked about Northern Saw-whets for the rest of the weekend, and my middle son, the owl-enthusiast, told me that the Northern Saw-whet is now his favorite owl.  Many thanks to you and your team for making it such a memorable moment for us.”

Releasing our rehabilitated Northern Saw-whet Owl.

You can read more about the biology of Northern Saw-whets and find tips for identification here.

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How to Determine a Bird's Age

Determining the age of a bird can be tricky, but with the help of UV light Avian Care Director Dr. Karen Higgs and Rehabilitation Assistant Katie Thorman determined that this owl had hatched just last year. Under UV light, porphyrin, an organic compound in newly molted feathers, becomes fluorescent, allowing the differentiation between one-year-old and two-year-old feathers.