Sunny Kellner, Wildlife Rehabilitation and Outreach Specialist tends to an injured Broad-winged Hawk at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic at Sharon Audubon Center in Sharon, Connecticut, January 13, 2022. Each year, Sharon Audubon Center admits hundreds of sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife patients into the clinic, providing care and treatment with the ultimate goal of returning them to the wild as soon as possible. Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon
The Spokane Audubon Society’s Save-A-Bird Team was organized in 2021 following a high number of young birds jumping or falling out of nests during record-high temperatures of a “heat dome” in the Spokane area. At that time, there were no licensed wildlife rehabilitators in the county who were willing to advertise their voluntary public services through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), so birds needing care had to be transported to the closest facility, Washington State University’s Wildlife Ward in Pullman, nearly 90 miles south.
The Save-A-Bird Team works with WDFW’s Eastern Region office staff in Spokane Valley who forward requests for help from citizens who find birds in need (both nestlings on the ground and injured or diseased adult birds.) Team volunteers monitor a dedicated email account and respond to direct inquiries with a phone call. Actions may include advice or physical capture and transport to a partnering local veterinarian for stabilizing treatment or humane euthanasia. Although a newly-licensed wildlife rehabilitator in Spokane now takes raptors and corvids, many cases still require transport to Pullman.
Volunteer Jessica Penrose-Ross gives medication to a Bald Eagle inside the rehab clinic at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland, FL, March 21, 2022. Audubon Florida’s Center for Birds of Prey focuses on the rescue, medical treatment, rehabilitation and release of Florida’s raptors, while also educating the public. Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon
Being a small, all-volunteer group, the team prioritizes birds based on species. Apex predators such as raptors (eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls) are the highest priority, followed by corvids (raven, jays, and magpies), then waterfowl and perching birds. Low priority birds are game birds such as turkeys, quail, and common waterfowl (geese). Some of these species have such high populations they are considered a public nuisance, or are too large or dangerous to capture. Team volunteers do not intervene on behalf of non-native species such as pigeons, starlings, and house sparrows, as these birds compete with native species for food and habitat.
Spokane Audubon’s
all volunteer team
work tirelessly
to
help injured birds
In 2023 Save-A-Bird volunteers spent 300 hours and drove 5,000 miles responding to questions and incidents from the public about sick or injured birds. Injuries are due to excessive heat, window strikes, collisions with vehicles, cats, and other traumas. The team responded to 249 incidents involving 47 different bird species.
Spokane Audubon’s Bea Harrison with rescued owlet.
The Save-A-Bird team is looking for volunteers! Experience capturing birds is not needed and we will provide support and training. Drivers willing to travel to a participating local veterinary clinic or to Washington State University in Pullman are needed and mileage reimbursement is available.
Although Save-A-Bird is run by volunteers, financial support is needed to purchase equipment such as gloves, nets, and ladders for safe capture of birds, plus mileage reimbursement for volunteers. Please consider making a donation to help save birds! A donation of any amount helps fund this important work. Check to see if your company offers matching donations to maximize your contribution!
