Background: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been found in poultry in all 50 states, and intermittently on the East Coast, with recent detections in geese in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. Simply being outside where wild birds have been is generally considered low risk, but we must take precautions to minimize interacting with fecal material or water where potentially infected birds may have been. The HPAI virus is highly contagious between birds, and birds can be infected without appearing sick. The virus is carried in respiratory secretions, saliva, and fecal material. Wil ..read more

by Sara Dollen, City Wildlife The District of Columbia’s compact urban environment might not seem like a haven for nature, except for pigeons, squirrels, starlings, and rats. But in fact, Washington, DC is home at least 390 vertebrate species and thousands of invertebrate species, according to the District’s Department of Energy and Environment’s (DOEE’s) 2015 Wildlife Action Plan. Why so many, and what can we do to preserve this biodiversity? The basis of the answer lies with the foundation of all ecosystems — geology. The District of Columbia was built on an invisible geographical boundary k ..read more

Baby wild animals have the best chance to survive and thrive when under the care of their parents. Wildlife rehabbers do all they can to care for and raise orphaned animals when no other options are available, but a rehabber should always be a last resort. However, a squirrel should be brought immediately to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator if the animal: is bleeding, has an open wound, or clearly has a broken bone, has been in a cat’s or dog’s mouth, is covered in fly eggs (see photo, left), is cold, wet, or crying non-stop, is approaching humans or pets. Squirrels are very good parents. The ..read more

The first thing to keep in mind is that baby birds, along with all other types of wild animals, have the very best chance of survival when left to be raised by their own parents. We wildlife rehabbers certainly try our best to raise orphans when there truly are no parents, but ultimately we can never recreate the lessons that an animal parent can teach their growing young. That’s why we always tell people to leave nests undisturbed, even if they are in an inconvenient spot. We do not want people to take babies away from their parents. In fact, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and international l ..read more

Bats need our help now more than ever! A recent report determined that over 50% of our native bats are considered at risk. Besides adding diversity and flair to local wildlife, our bats consume countless pest insects every single night. These nocturnal neighbors need our help now more than ever. Bat Conservation International’s Community Engagement Manager Erin Cord informs us about our local bats, the threats they face, and how we can help them right in the comfort of our own backyards! She also shared Bat Conservation International’s Guide to Gardening for Bats and a list of local native pla ..read more

Baby wild animals have the best chance to survive and thrive when under the care of their parents. Wildlife rehabbers do all they can to care for and raise orphaned animals when no other options are available, but a rehabber should always be a last resort. However, a squirrel should be brought immediately to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator if the animal: Photo courtesy of Newhouse Wildlife Rescue is bleeding, has an open wound, or clearly has a broken bone, has been in a cat’s or dog’s mouth, is covered in fly eggs (see photo, left), is cold, wet, or crying non-stop, is approaching humans o ..read more

“How insupportable would be the days, if the night with its dews and darkness did not come to restore the drooping world.” Henry David Thoreau The hours when the earth is dark are frequently thought of as a time when not much of significance happens. But as certain Indigo Buntings demonstrated in the 1960s, that isn’t really true. It was known that during migration these birds flew at night to reach their winter home in the Caribbean, but no one understood how they knew which way to go. Behavioral ecologist Stephen Emlen utilized a planetarium to determine that the birds used the night stars ..read more

City Wildlife Clinic Director Dr. Sarah Sirica presents a behind-the-scenes look at what happens with wild animals after they are dropped off at our center. Using videos and photos taken during the course of our work, she demonstrates how we perform physical examinations, treat common injuries and illnesses, and care for patients, large and small, common and rare. The post From Rescue to Release: A Behind-the Scenes Look at Wildlife Rehabilitation appeared first on City Wildlife ..read more

Collisions with buildings kill more birds than any other human factor besides habitat loss and domestic cats, and in urban areas, the problem worsens during periods of migration.  Researchers estimate that one billion birds die annually due to collisions with glass. Most neo-tropical songbirds migrate at night to avoid turbulence in the air and they navigate by the stars.  Passing over cities, they are often attracted to artificial lights and frequently strike transparent or reflective windows.  The blow can be fatal, or it can leave the birds injured and vulnerable to predators ..read more

A Red-Shouldered Hawk chick whom we could not save from rodenticide poisoning. It can start at the bird feeder, or maybe a public garbage can. Discarded food waste and garbage offer a smorgasbord for small rodents, who scavenge for a living. From there, it only makes sense that the animals who feed on those smaller animals, wild ones and feral or outdoor cats, are attracted secondarily. It’s a whole food chain, right in your neighborhood! In a city, rodent infestations are nearly guaranteed as populations grow out of control. Where there’s one rat or mouse, there are usually more. Unfortunatel ..read more