Posts by jbird24
X-Ray Vision
Our “toxic crow,” who was admitted to the VINS Wildlife Services department in March, was recently brought to a local veterinarian for x-rays. While we were able to rid the corvid of toxins and bring down his fever when he first arrived, the bird still seems a bit off to us. He is eating and…
Read MoreRegister Now for VINS Nature Camps
“My daughter loved camp”. “This was the only camp [our daughter] begged to be in again this year.” “Wonderful activities — great learning experience and presented in a fun and creative way. Bravo!” These are just a few of the many glowing comments shared by parents following VINS Nature Camps last summer. Nearly 300 children…
Read MoreShe’s Number 1!
Oh my, the first baby bird of 2010 has arrived at the VINS Wildlife Services department! Come to VINS now and see this baby bird in our Rehab-in-Action window!Watch a video of this baby being fed! This baby mourning dove was found by a couple while they were clearing brush out of their yard. They…
Read MoreHome Sweet Nest Box
‘Tis the season for nesting. And if you love birds, it’s a great idea to help them out by providing a nest box, which offers a protected, dry home for cavity-nesters. With deforestation on the rise, lots of birds are losing their natural homes — trees — and we should give them a hand.Recently, I…
Read MoreAll That Glitters…
… will soon be gold! Come May, the male American goldfinches now frequenting your feeders will shed their drab green-yellow wardrobe in exchange for bright gold and black feathers. It’s spring, and male birds need to woo their lady friends with handsome, eye-catching colors. Now a drab gray, the female goldfinches will molt into a…
Read MoreA Toxic Event
Recently, an American crow was brought to the VINS Wildlife Services department after a man had found the bird sitting in the snow, not moving and flanked by two other crows. While the other crows flew off when the man approached, the sitting crow did not. The crow’s body appeared to be shaking, so the…
Read MoreSharp-shinned Trauma
Members of the accipiter family, sharp-shinned hawks are small and built for quick maneuverability as they are aerial foragers, meaning these fast birds catch their prey on the fly. Above, VINS staff gets ready to hand-feed the sharp-shinned hawk.Watch a video of this hawk being hand-fed! No matter the build of a hawk, hawks require…
Read MoreWild Woodpecker
Remember the pileated woodpecker we took into our care back in December? Well, she bid the VINS staff and members of the public adieu Feb. 29 at the VINS Nature Center in Quechee, VT, taking a beautiful flight back into the wild woods. More than 30 people gathered to watch this crested bird leave our…
Read MoreFinal Flight
By Chris CollierVINS Nature Center Programs Manager Tens of thousands of visitors to the VINS Nature Center; thousands of students in classrooms across northern New England; hundreds of summer camp children and countless staff members. All numbers, yes, but all represent the people that interacted with one very small being: our male American kestrel. It’s…
Read MoreThe Smallest of Splints
While being bitten by a cat is far from pleasant, it’s even more of a drag if you’re a bird. If you are a bird and a cat sinks its teeth into your feathered flesh, you are at risk of dying even from a tiny bite. Why? Well, there are bacteria in a cat’s saliva…
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