Bird Center of Michigan

Spring is coming—and so are the baby birds! ?? The Bird Center of Michigan is gearing up for an exciting baby season, and we need passionate volunteers to help us care for injured and orphaned birds in need of rehabilitation. Shifts are flexible, usually lasting 3 hours, once or twice a week, based on your schedule. Our training begins in April, so don’t miss out! By volunteering with us, you’ll play a crucial role in the recovery and release of Michigan’s wildlife. If you’re ready to make a difference, visit https://lnkd.in/gWhPce-r?to learn more and apply. For any questions, feel free to reach out to our volunteer coordinator via email—contact info is on our website. Help us give these birds a second chance this spring! ??

We've tallied the votes, and the winner of Round 1: Wood Duck vs. Hooded Merganser is... ?? The charming Wood Duck! ?? Our next matchup is a battle of the beauties in Round 1: Ruby-throated Hummingbird vs. American Goldfinch. Will the tiny but mighty hummingbird hover to victory, or will the brilliant goldfinch steal the crown? At the BCM, these are two of our smallest species admitted, yet the American Goldfinch is still nearly four times heavier than a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Who gets your vote? Let us know in the comments, and we'll announce the winner in 48 hours!

The results are in, and the winner of Round 1: Chimney Swift vs. Barn Swallow is... ?? The chattery Chimney Swift! ?? Who will these aerial acrobats face in Round 2? You can help decide by voting in Round 1: Wood Duck vs. Common Merganser—a battle of the waterfowl. The brilliantly colored Wood Duck takes on the sleek and speedy Common Merganser. At the BCM, Wood Ducks are the third most commonly raised waterfowl species each baby season, while Mergansers are less common, receiving only a handful each year. Both species are more secretive than our most common duckling admitted, the Mallard. Wood Ducks and Mergansers require plenty of hiding spaces and a diverse diet. Who gets your vote? Let us know in the comments, and we'll announce the winner in 48 hours!

All of us at the Bird Center of Michigan would like to extend a tremendous thank you to everyone who shared our post and helped towards the donation of four beautiful new incubators. As the only rehabilitation clinic in southeast Michigan taking in hatchling and nestling songbirds, we'll face challenges this baby season. But with the addition of FOUR new incubators, we will be able to house more babies than ever before! ?? The incubators arrived in perfect condition and are ready to provide a toasty warm home for hundreds of orphaned hatchlings and nestlings. Unfortunately, they didn't come with a donation slip, so if you donated an incubator, please send us a message?so we can give you a proper thank you!

BCM Battle of the Birds Round 1: Chimney Swift vs. Barn Swallow Two aerial acrobats take the stage! Both of these incredible birds are masters of the sky, but only one can move on to the next round. Check out their fun facts and leave a comment to vote for your favorite. The winner will be announced in 48 hours! ??

This #WishlistWednesday, we're highlighting an essential PPE item—disposable medical gowns. As we care for waterfowl, some may be at higher risk of HPAI (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu. Keeping our staff and volunteers safe is as important as caring for our feathered patients! By donating disposable medical gowns, you're helping us continue our vital work safely and effectively. Thank you for supporting our team and the birds who depend on us! Donate here:?https://amzn.to/3ogNEFE

Announcing the BCM's First Annual March Madness: Battle of the Birds! We're kicking off the ultimate bird showdown to celebrate the fast-approaching baby season. ?? Over the next few weeks, we'll feature some of our most common patient species as they go head-to-head. Who will soar to victory? Your comments will decide! Get ready to cast your votes...Round 1 begins tomorrow! ??

This beautiful patient is Mourning Dove 49, who unfortunately collided with a window and sustained a concussion. Although she arrived unsteady on her feet, she's made significant improvements with medication, even gaining a few grams during her stay with us so far. Despite these improvements, we'll continue her medication both morning and evening to ensure she continues to heal. ??

House Finches are one of Michigan's most common backyard birds, often seen at bird feeders. They're also the most prone to a specific kind of conjunctivitis known as Finch Eye Syndrome. This male House Finch was brought to us several days ago with swelling in the eyes—a telltale sign of Finch Eye Syndrome. After cleaning the area and medicating, he's already looking much better! Even though he appears healthy and can fly well, we'll continue his treatment for at least 21 days to ensure that the bacteria is eliminated from his system and cannot spread the disease to other birds. Finch Eye Syndrome often spreads at feeders, which is why it's so important to disinfect your feeders at least every two weeks with a 1-part bleach and 10-part water solution.

Seeing a Cedar Waxwing during this time of year is unusual, but this beautiful bird is recovering at the BCM from a foot injury. While we’re splinting her foot and monitoring her progress, she’s been enjoying a variety of fruits, including strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. ???? In fact, she’s even developed a taste for grape jelly, just like our Baltimore Orioles!