Frequently Asked Questions

If you find an egg on the ground, usually the best thing to do is leave it alone or put it back exactly where you found it. (It is a myth that eggs will be rejected if touched by humans.) Many birds actually nest on the ground (without making much of a nest at all) and don't start sitting on eggs and actively incubating them until they are all laid, which happens over many days. If an egg has been ejected from a nest it is usually for a good reason.

An egg that has been out of an active nest for a period of time that is cold, soaked or cracked is no longer viable.

• If you find (or someone has removed) an egg from an active nest that is warm to the touch or hatching, put it back into the nest. If this is not possible, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for further instructions.

• It is NEVER a good idea to attempt to incubate eggs at home. Besides likely being illegal in your city, state or province, it is very hard to incubate an egg properly. Different species need different temperatures, humidity levels and rotations. It is very unlikely that you possess the proper knowledge and equipment in your home, and placing an egg underneath a light bulb can severely harm the embryo within.

• ABSOLUTELY NEVER “assist” a baby bird with hatching by removing it from its egg. You will cause irreparable harm and it will likely die as a result.

In Canada and the USA most wild birds are protected by law. In Canada, different species of wild birds are protected by either the provincial or federal governments.

If a nest MUST be interfered with, research what type of bird you are dealing with and what law or level of government protects it in your area. Contact the appropriate department to discuss your legal options before taking any action.

Unlawful interference with a bird, its nest or eggs can result in severe legal repercussions.

If a pair of Mallard ducks has been visiting your yard periodically there is likely a nest beginning nearby. If you do not want a nest in your yard, discourage visiting ducks BEFORE they begin to lay eggs, as once a Mallard duck has built and laid eggs in a nest it is illegal to disturb it. A female will lay approximately one egg a day. An average nest has eight to twelve eggs. Once all of the eggs are laid she will sit on the nest for about a month. Male Mallards leave the female once she begins to incubate the eggs. Ducks do not raise the ducklings in the same area in which they have nested. Once all of the eggs have hatched (usually within twenty-four hours) the mother will lead them away from the nest site to the location in which she plans to raise them.

If a duck has nested in a gated yard, it can sometimes be trapped when the ducklings are not able to make it under or over the fence. Once everyone has hatched and the mother duck begins leading the ducklings away from the nest, open the gate and watch from a distance until they leave. You may have to escort them to the gate.

If you have a pool, please keep an eye out for swimming ducklings. Ducklings are unable to jump out of backyard pools and often exhaust themselves trying. Please provide them with a towel-covered ramp so they may climb out of the pool.

Please keep your cat and dog indoors if you have a duck nesting in your backyard.

Pigeons generally lay two eggs. If eggs or babies are present, place the entire nest in a large open-topped box to contain the mess but allow parent birds full access. Do not remove the nest or box and place on a different balcony or down to the ground. Parent pigeons leave their young for long periods of time. Do not assume that the young have been abandoned. If they are alert, warm to the touch and have food in their crops, they are fine (a fed pigeon’s crop feels like a small bean bag at the base of the neck).

Young pigeons often suffer from ‘splayed legs’ and other deformities. If you believe that a young pigeon is in distress, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. After hatching, which can take around twenty days, the young pigeons will remain on or near the nest for another month or so. Pigeons will have more than one nest a season. Once one nest has finished keep an eye out for more nesting activity. Always practice common sense precautions and hygiene when dealing with any wild bird, its nesting material or droppings. Thoroughly clean and disinfect any area on your balcony where a pigeon has nested.

European Starlings and other cavity nesters will gladly nest in any open vents or accessible soffit on your house. Prevention is key. Low cost ‘pest-proof’ vent covers can be found at most hardware stores (be sure to purchase covers specifically designed to keep birds and other animals out, as standard vent covers are easily opened). Install vent covers and other barriers BEFORE the birds begin actively nesting. You do not want to trap live birds inside your walls.

If it sounds as if a bird is ‘trapped’ in your vent, go outside and observe the vent opening from a distance. Chances are the noises are due to a bird coming back and forth with nesting material or food for young.

If you are unable to stay and observe the vent opening, place a tissue or light piece of paper over the entrance and see if it has been disturbed or removed when you return.

If nothing is coming in or out and you can still hear scratching noises you may indeed have a bird or other animal trapped in the vent. Contact a local, humane wildlife control or property management company for further assistance.

There are numerous ways to keep birds from flying into windows. Read more here: Preventing Window Collisions

YES! Bird feeder maintenance is essential in keeping your backyard birds healthy and happy. An unclean feeder can be a source of bacteria and spread diseases among the birds that visit it.

• Clean bird feeders regularly with a dilute bleach solution (ten parts water to one part bleach) and thoroughly dry before filling with new seed.

• Do not wash bird feeders in your kitchen sink or anywhere else bacteria from the feeder could potentially contaminate household surfaces.

• Hummingbird feeders should be rinsed and refilled every few days. Do not place your hummingbird feeder in direct sunlight. The high sugar solution can ferment very quickly on a hot summer day.

No.

It is prohibited under provincial and federal laws to hold wildlife in captivity independently. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators are authorized to attend to injured, ill, or orphaned wild animals, including birds.

The Centre is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and we specialize in wild bird rehabilitation.

Please contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator to arrange for care of any injured, ill or orphaned wild animal that you currently have as soon as possible to ensure it receives the care it needs.