To enable us to see out to our bird feeders, we put in two big picture windows in our breakfast area.We also took off the screens so we could see clearly.
It's great, we love it, but sometimes, the birds try to fly right into the house!
The other day I heard not one, but TWO "THUMPS" while I was in the kitchen.
I ran to the window to check, and sure enough, there were two male cardinals lying on the ground under the window.
I went out to check on them (my neighbor has two bird-eating cats) and found them very stunned.
I picked them up at took them to the driveway and called Wildlife Rescue.
Of course, it was just after 5 pm on a Friday, but someone did answer the phone. She asked if they could fly, and at that time, they were both not able to.
She suggested I put them in a box or a bin with a cover with air holes and bring them in the following morning in case they had broken wings.I prepared two bins with window screens for the tops. Lined the bottom with newspaper and put birdseed and a little water bowl inside. As I lifted one Mr. Cardinal to place him inside, he fluttered and flew off!
Yeah.
Good result for him. Mr. Cardinal #2, not ready yet. He went into the box without any fuss. Poor guy.
Then I thought - DUH. I have to take pictures of these guys! So I went to get the camera, and when I lifted the screen off the box, Mr. Cardinal #2 flew off.Guess they just needed to catch their breath. Sometimes these incidents don't have such good endings, but I was so glad this one did.
[And I told them to quit chasing each other around the window!]
22 comments:
Quick thinking on your part to save them from the neighbor's cats. I'm glad they were okay. Just think what stories they have to tell when they get home.
I have that happen too when I clean the picture windows in spring. I've held a bluebird before until it was ready to fly off. Good for you to help them.~~Dee
Diana, how interesting that you had everything on hand to create an impromptu bird cage! Cardinals are the worst for flying into windows, in my experience. Maybe put up some pieces of paper on your window to alert them? Glad they were ok, just a bit stunned I guess.
This is quite a dramatic change on your blog today...
MSS -- Well, I chase the cats off almost daily. One likes to lurk under the feeders and I always send him home. Stories to tell -- you're funny! I suppose they will.
Dee -- I used to have a cardinal that attacked our super-high little windows for about 4 years. I think we outlived him.
GetGrounded - It's not my first rodeo rescuing birds! I had my first bird-saving experience in high school with a baby that fell out of the nest and we kept it, dropper fed it and taught it to fly!
Not sure about the white - thought I'd try it instead of the green. Fickle - that's me.
My parents always had that problem with birds at their house because they have a bunch of huge picture windows where you can see right through the house, and birds were constantly knocking themselves out. Luckily, your cardinals had a happier ending than I'm used to hearing about in this scenario!
I like the new layout, btw! I'll take ease of reading over the cool factor any time. :)
Lori - Sadly I did lose a dove last week. She just hit way too hard. Poor girl.
Lori - thanks. Photos have to be the lead, ya'know? Maybe someday I can add just a little bit of bling to it, but that other template was too much.
Glad your birds came out of it okay, Diana, and that you got there before the neighbor's cats noticed! At our previous house a mockingbird was not so lucky - poor thing ran into a window and broke its neck while intent on catching a grasshopper.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Annie -- We did lose a dove last week doing something similar. And my windows aren't THAT clean!
Diana, I love your goodness and big heart...but, you know that! Lucky birds to have crashed into your windows! Doesn't it make you feel good to know they just needed to rest!
gail
Gail - I was so glad they snapped back ok. Must have had pretty bad headaches though!
I held a hummer that crashed into a window once. It was pretty amazing, and it eventually flew away too.
I like your new layout. It seems cleaner and easier on the eyes than the previous one.
So nice of you to give them a rest at least. I hate it when that happens though. You feel so helpless and for some reason, like it's your fault for having windows. I have a friend who has some big windows and she puts post-it notes on them to prevent the birds from flying into them. Looks funny but it seems to work.
Pam -- Thanks for the layout comments. It does allow the photos and type to stand out and be the focal point. Boring, but I'm giving it a rest for now. Too much work to figure out that techno-stuff!
Jean -- That's funny, but I do feel like it's my fault for having windows. I'm sure the screens would stop it, or be a softer slamming spot, but then I couldn't watch them as well...luckily it doesn't happen too often.
Hi Diana, a happy ending and some extreme close ups, all good. We hear the thumps here as well. Usually after a while they will fly away too. But not every time sadly.
Frances
Frances -- I'm just glad the attacking cardinal isn't here any more. That was really annoying!
Poor things. I just hate to hear that thud against our patio doors. They were lucky you found them before the cat.
Yes, Lisa. The cat is lucky, too. He came over and left me a squirrel one day and I haven't forgiven him for that yet.
You are very kind to follow up and they will come back time and again as they did to the home of Elizabeth Lawrence. She let them in the house where she had all the furniture covered. She named them and talked them every day. I loved reading the story.
Poor birds. I'm glad the story had a happy ending. You must have some mighty clean windows.
flowergardengirl -- I talk to the baby toads from a few posts back, too. My neighbors probably think I'm nuts! You are doing a wonderful thing with Operation Christmas Child. I just hope I dotted all my eyes with my 4 cross-postings and all! Maybe it will send some other folks there to help.
MMD -- They are not clean - they are smudged by bird smear smudges!
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