Springtime is Bird Time!

On the way to ordering one of my favorite Bob Graham books, "Let's Get a Pup," Said Kate, I found How to Heal a Broken Wing, the perfect springtime read.  While taking in an injured bird, and nursing it back to health, is not typically a practical way to help, the premise of the story -- that it is OUR responsibility to help -- is the essence of the book.  While the busy commuters rush by an injured pigeon, a child stops to help the fragile bird.   Through a series of compassionate illustrations, accompanied by few words, readers will feel the power of one.   The child and his mom take the injured bird home and nurse the pigeon back to health. 

This is baby bird season.   Since we barely had a winter, we may see more baby birds fluttering about sooner than in years past.  Sometimes, baby birds on the ground appear injured even though they are not, they are just learning to fly with mama bird watching from a safe distance.   Observers of baby birds should do the same.   If the area is danger free, more than likely theparental  instructions provided wil, before long,l help baby bird maneuver a safe flight.  But, if the bird truly appears injured, as the pigeon does in How to Heal a Broken Wing, call your local animal control agency or wildlife rehabilitation organization for instructions on how to help the bird.  Some agencies will send an officer to retrieve the injured bird, others will ask if you can transport it to their center.