Tis’ the season for birds to pair up and make baby birds! Many species of birds that migrate here from the south, as well as our year-round residents, will breed in our District. Some you may never see, while others set up nests near or on our houses and other buildings! While several residents enjoy this miracle of nature, others consider the birds and their waste to be a nuisance. Regardless of our feelings on the matter, all native birds and game birds are protected by a federal law called the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This law protects all birds except: Pigeons, European House Sparrows, and European Starlings. What does that mean? It means we cannot disturb bird nests in the breeding season, we cannot keep wild birds as pets, and we cannot rehabilitate them or keep them without proper permits. You also cannot hunt game birds out of season or without a hunting license. Find out more information here: Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov)
Currently, many buildings and houses in our District have colonies of Cliff Swallows in mud nests attached to walls and outdoor ceilings! A group of swallows is called a “richness,” so they have a richness of Cliff Swallows! For more information about this species, click here: Cliff Swallow Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
What should you do if you find an injured bird or a baby bird? Injured birds need to be placed in a cardboard box with a lid- don’t poke holes in it; they can breathe through the cracks! Do not give them food or water, but get them to a LICENSED rehabilitator within 24 hours. If you do not know who to take the bird to, you can contact New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF): (505)-476-8000 or Contact Us – New Mexico Department of Game & Fish (state.nm.us)
Baby birds are best raised by their wild parents! Check out the flowchart below for how to help if you find a baby bird! If you still need assistance, please contact our Education Manager, Laura McCann, with any questions: [email protected]. Thank you!
