“Please Send a Photo of the Bird”
If you ever reach out to Diva Crows, you will always hear one thing: “please send us a photo of the bird.” No matter how much information you leave us, we will always return with that simple request. It’s not that we like pictures of birds — although we do — but because we want to identify the bird so that we can advise on how to give it the best care.
Bird ID can be tricky, especially with babies. Recently another rehabber sent us a bird because it was a “baby crow,” when it turned out to be an adult grackle.
Fledgling Crow
We also want to get a sense of what kind of injury the bird has. People naturally assume that if a bird can’t fly, it must have a broken wing. That’s a possibility, but in the spring and summer, it is equally likely that the bird is a fledgling. The bird could also be sick and is too weak to fly, have a concussion from flying into a window, or have neurological problems due to pesticide poisoning. Birds also use their wings for balance, so if a bird is sticking out a wing, it could be a leg injury. A photo will give us a lot of information so that we can advise whether to bring the bird to us, to another rehabber, to a vet, or determine that the bird is just fine.
In short, if you find a bird you think needs help, text us a photo to 571-402-5702. We’ll look at it as quickly as we can and text you back with our assessment.
