Record Life Spans (years) of Amphibians and Reptiles

Longevity RecordsLife Spans of Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Fish; James R. Carey and Debra S. Judge; Odense University Press, ISBN 87-7838-539-3 Amphibians and Reptiles Table 3. Record Life Spans (years) of Amphibians and Reptiles ClassOrder/Family Genus/Species/Sub-species Common Name Capt. M/F Reference Amphibia Ambystomatidae Ambystoma macrodactylum krausei Eastern long-toed salamander 5.1 x [2]   Ambystoma macrodactylum … Continue Reading

Removing Wildlife Trapped On Glue Boards

An adult robin was removed from this trap. Note the tissue paper applied to all exposed glue areas. The remaining feathers from the abdomen were the result of the bird attempting to struggle free during initial contact. No primary flight feathers were damaged during removal and the bird was released as soon as new feather … Continue Reading

Mammal Longevity Records

Longevity RecordsLife Spans of Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Fish; James R. Carey and Debra S. Judge; Odense University Press, ISBN 87-7838-539-3 Mammals Table 1. Record Life Spans (years) of Mammals ((+) indicates that individual was still alive at the time that life span was recorded)   Order/Family Genus/Species Common Name Wild Capt. M/F Reference   … Continue Reading

Deer Pen Plans by Linda Mihatov

Rehabilitators have a variety of preferences for the design and all the variables have been included to help you design a deer pen that best fits your needs. Newborns or debilitated young: Plastic airline crate large enough to allow the fawn to stand with it?s head up and be able to turn around comfortably in … Continue Reading

Using Full Spectrum Lighting With Birds

Patrick R. Thrush © 1999 (reprinted with permission from author) One of the most commonly asked questions by birdkeepers about cage lighting concerns the effective and proper usage of full spectrum (or FS) lighting devices. Little ‘fact’ exists as to the type of lamp to be used, the correct distance of the lamp assembly to … Continue Reading

Feather Conditioning And Damage

Feathers and flight are the primary facets of bird rehabilitation that make it uniquely more difficult than mammal rehabilitation. Feather condition is as critical during the course of release for birds as is the ability to fly. Any type of damage to the feather structure will impede a bird’s ability to fly, waterproof, and thermoregulate. … Continue Reading

Common Bird Nematode/Protozoa Infections

Ascaridia spp. (large roundworm of birds) Nematode From earthworms, eggs in avian feces or in contaminated water Size varies by species, females 20-120 mm, males 16-76 mm Small intestine Most serious in birds 1-3 months old Heavy infestations can cause partial or complete obstruction of the intestinal lumen resulting in reduced gastrointestinal motility or stasis; … Continue Reading

Aviary Plans

This basic aviary plan is the cummulative effort of our members. Rehabilitators have a variety of preferences for the design and all the variables have been included to help you design an aviary that best fits your needs.  Aviary considerations are included.  As an additional option to streamline construction, you can purchase kits to help … Continue Reading

Avian Treatment Calculator

Beak Function

The beak of a bird is considered a lightweight, bony elongation of its skull. The structure of the beak is covered with keratin, the same material found in human fingernails and hair. On many birds, the keratin dries to form hard, glossy, outer covering. The keratin renews on the tip and edges of the beak … Continue Reading

Wing Fractures

The ability to identify and address wing fractures is a necessity for all avian rehabilitators. Even if you are fortunate enough to have a veterinarian readily available to treat all your birds, you should still be familiar with wing wraps in order to stabilize fractures prior to treatment. An understanding of avian anatomy is critical. … Continue Reading