Save Sick, Injured, & Orphaned Birds - California

Baby bird season here in South Orange County California got off to a very late start in 2024. This was most likely due to a lot of inclement weather during the first months of the year. We usually see the first baby birds coming in during the month of February but certainly during the month of March. Not this year! The first baby bird in need of help showed up on April 1, and it wasn’t an April Fool’s joke! It was a newly hatched English House Sparrow. It didn’t take long for baby bird season to ramp up to insane levels, and due to the late start, baby bird season will probably run well past Labor Day this year. We’re tired already, and baby bird season is far from done.

In this report, we will introduce you to some of our 2024 baby birds and reacquaint you with a couple of our birds from prior years.

First up is the tiny English House Sparrow that was baby #1 in 2024. This tiny being took a huge fall from the tiled roof of a two story house and landed on the concrete below. It was a bit bruised and beaten up but was a fighter and survived. This baby weighed 1 gram on arrival and was about 1-inch-long from the tip of the tiny beak to the tiny tail. It’s kind of difficult to conceive what a weight of 1 gram actually is. Here are some examples of things that weigh 1 gram: a paper clip, the cap of a ballpoint pen, a stick of gum, a U.S. bill of any denomination, one-quarter teaspoon of sugar, a raisin and a thumbtack. Wow!

Next is Angel who is a juvenile European Starling. Angel was found and rescued in El Monte CA on May 30, 2024. Both of Angel’s legs were badly broken and her feet were knuckling under. Angel’s rescuer did all she could for Angel including taking Angel to a veterinary clinic that charged $200 but did nothing to help Angel. Angel’s rescuer found us, brought Angel to us, and Angel is now receiving proper veterinary care. Angel is a typical spunky and cheeky European Starling, and she can stand and walk. Sadly, her legs and feet will never be normal, but she can and will go on to have a happy life as a pet. Angel’s veterinary care with us has thus far cost $400. She is sporting her “snowshoes” in the picture. These are used to try and keep her feet in a normal position long enough for them to heal properly.

Our next 2024 babies are Dora and Chirpy. Dora was another baby that fell from a great height. She is named after Dora The Explorer as she is NEVER where you last left her. Dora climbs and flutters out of her nest bowl and goes exploring. Fortunately, that is safely inside one of our intensive care units. Dora’s nest buddy is Chirpy who was found in Pioneer Park in Anaheim CA with a very big abrasion on her back which is healing well. We are hoping for a happy outcome for both of these babies.

Juniper was known as Jelly Bean when she was with us. Now that she’s been adopted, her name is Juniper. Juniper and her new Mom are a match made in heaven. We couldn’t have asked for a better adopter and know that Juniper will have the absolute best of homes for the rest of her life. This is what we wish and hope for with all our adoptable birds.

Chao is a Diamond Dove. He is an amazing little guy. He was owner relinquished to us some months ago. His first night/morning here was a trip! I was awakened by something that sort of sounded like a rooster which I knew wasn’t possible. Yep, it was Chao letting everybirdy know there was a new guy in town. He is total dynamite in a very small and handsome package.

You all know who Simba is. Simba is a Miligold Macaw that has been with us for several years now. We have spent multi thousands of dollars in veterinary care for Simba and are now at a point where it looks like Simba will need to be on medication that costs $200 per month for the foreseeable future if not for the rest of his life. We would be very grateful to have enough people sign up for a recurring donation that would cover Simba’s medicine each month. Please help us with this if you can.

We are very grateful for your support. We can’t do this without you. Please continue to support us with your generous donations. We’re going to try the GlobalGiving Bonus Day on July 10 for the first time this year. Please watch for the details on our social media and support us if you can.