By Senior Wildlife Technician, Cambria Wells

Upon intake at CWC, baby birds range widely in age, health, and more. A critical task within their first few hours of admission is identifying their species, to begin to provide them with the appropriate care. Los Angeles is home to 518 species of native birds, many of which are especially similar in appearance while in their juvenile feathers. Even more are nearly identical in the first couple weeks of life; their featherless skin and underdeveloped bodies at this age may look very different from how we see them as young adults in our yards and parks.

Wildlife technicians at CWC use species photos, resources written by ornithologists and other rehabilitators, and years of experience to identify baby birds. Our Pacific-slope flycatchers made their basic needs known easily at arrival; these birds have wide, flat bills and compact bodies that make them easily recognizable as flycatchers. Specific species can be difficult to pin down at first, but a general identification allows staff to begin their care while determining species and subspecies later when time is made to consult our resources. After identification, staff and volunteers in the Orphan Care Unit can use that information to provide them with the specialized care they desperately need.

Most important to very young birds are their housing and dietary needs. Many flycatchers make “cup” nests which we mimic in our hospital; crocheted nests made and donated to CWC are placed into incubators for the youngest birds or those needing a little extra heat support. Older birds are housed in front of sunny windows in small enclosures with appropriate perching and leafy cover for their comfort. They are then hand fed whole insects at thirty- or forty-five-minute intervals by the OCU’s dedicated team of volunteers. How we achieve good nutrition depends on species; for some birds there is a commercial formula which we can use to suit their needs. Some require a homemade mix or blended formula of whole food items and vitamins. For birds on formula, this diet includes all their nutritional needs. For insectivores like our Pacific-slope Flycatchers, who receive a whole prey diet, we give special vitamins by mouth daily and pay close attention to the balance of their diet. Even the insects we feed them are carefully prepared by “gut-loading” with nutritious foods. This ensures our patients build strong bones, smooth well-structured feathers, and the appropriate colors to appear indistinguishable from their wild-raised cousins.

As flycatchers grow and begin to leave the nest, we focus on enrichment and appropriate outdoor housing to ensure they learn the skills they need for life in the wild. Outdoor aviaries for flycatchers like our Pacific-slope Flycatchers need to be relatively long compared to a different bird of a similar size, without too many obstructing branches, to allow them to practice their flight and build strong muscles. The branches themselves must be of various sizes to encourage the health of their feet as they perch. We also cultivate fruit flies using scraps from preparing diets for our other animals; by placing these fruit fly cultures into the aviaries; we create an opportunity for our flycatchers to practice living up to their name. With no parents to watch and follow, this experience is critical for their survival upon release. We assess our birds carefully as they grow and condition for release, ensuring they’ve learned survival skills appropriate for their natural history and life in the wild.

Though complex, raising baby birds and witnessing their growth into strong, independent, and unique patients is the greatest reward of working in our Orphan Care Unit. Volunteers and staff often remark that they never noticed a species near their home or when hiking until getting to know them at CWC; then, they see and hear them everywhere! Growing our skills in identifying and observing these birds in the wild and at CWC builds an incredibly rewarding relationship. It’s always good to get to know your neighbors.