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Tell all your friends: DON’T USE STICKY TRAPS!
Recently, the hospital has received some birds that unfortunately crossed paths with sticky fly traps. Some came in still stuck on the trap, while others, due to the rescuer’s attempt to remove the bird from the trap, were gooey and stripped of essential flight feathers. These birds came in otherwise healthy, but must remain in our care while we wait for their feathers to grow back. Right now, two of these birds, male and female house finches, are being cared for by a specially trained volunteer while we await the growth of the feathers.
If you find a bird (or other animal) stuck on a sticky trap, bring the whole trap with the animal to us as quickly as possible instead of attempting to remove the animal yourself. Using a special technique, we can safely remove the animal without harming the feathers or the skin and then we can carefully clean off all the residue. For these finches, all that is left is to wait for new feathers to grow back. Essentially, it’s a waiting game.
Why do we have to wait? Without their flight feathers, birds can’t fly. The mechanics of flight are complicated. Different species of birds have developed specific wings shapes that create the pull, thrust, and drag that allow them to fly, maneuver, and land. The wings are made up of three types of feathers that influence the mechanics of flight: primary, secondary, and covert feathers. In addition to the wing feathers, tail feathers are also essential for flight.
The female house finch is growing back her primary feathers on her left wing. These primary feathers create the thrust that is generated when the bird is flapping through the air. The male lost half of his tail feathers. After he grows in the rest of his tail, he’ll be able to create drag that will slow him down and allow him to land.
Both birds are healthy and time is on their side. In the meantime, tell all your friends to use their sticky traps ONLY indoors where they birds and other animals won’t come in contact with them.
Lacey Babnik - Wildlife hospital intern
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