Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I've found an injured bird. What should I do?

Nevada Rehabilitator

Evelyn Pickles runs a rehabilitation center in Dayton. She accepts all birds and mammals.

Injured birds can be dropped off at:
Comstock Printers in
3160 N Deer Run Rd Ste 7
Carson City, NV 89701
Monday – Friday 7:30am - 6:00pm
Daytime Phone:   775-883-8658.
Weekends & Evenings:  775-246-0470

California Rehabilitator

Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, South Lake Tahoe
Denise Upton – Animal Care Director
ALL bird groups and many difficult species including bear, beaver, otter, bobcat, and mergansers
530-577-2273

What kind of bird is this?
  • Post a picture on Birding Nevada Facebook page
  • If it's not a Nevada bird, post a picture on  What's This Bird Facebook page
  • Try to identify it using Merlin ID app 
  • Or, contact us. Please include a picture if you have one, a description of what the bird looks like and where you saw it (be as specific as possible)
What can I do to prevent birds from flying into windows?

​Birds and Windows ​​
​​ABC’s Collisions Program addresses the collision threat to birds through multiple strategies, including research to identify effective collision deterrents, education of architectural professionals through courses that qualify for continuing education credit, development and broad distribution of information resources, helping manufacturers create bird-friendly products, and actively promoting bird-friendly legislation.
WHERE SHOULD I GO BIRDING IN NEVADA?
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  • Check out our detailed Area Birding Guide with 20 different locations, 7 of which are recognized by the National Audubon Society as a Nevada IBA.
​​WHERE SHOULD I GO BIRDING IN CALIFORNIA?
  • ​Check out California Audubon’s interactive map they created to find out more about their IBAs. On their interactive map, you can find links to maps, site descriptions, and other information related to California’s Important Bird Areas. 
WHEN SHOULD I PUT UP AND TAKE DOWN MY HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS?
  • In the spring, late March to early April is when the first migrants may start to show up so you will want to have your feeders up before then. You know it is time to take them down in the fall when your feeder freezes or you have not seen a hummingbird for a couple of weeks. 
 IT IS WINTER AND I STILL HAVE A HUMMINGBIRD AT MY FEEDER, ARE MY FEEDERS PREVENTING THE HUMMINGBIRDS FROM MIGRATING?
In our area, we do have Anna’s Hummingbirds that regularly overwinter here, so if you have one sticking around, don’t worry, your feeder isn’t keeping them from migrating south. If you wish to continue feeding your winter resident, there are heated hummingbird feeders for sale or just remember to bring the feeders in at night to prevent the nectar from freezing. If you don't want to deal with frozen feeders in the cold weather, you can take them down, the hummingbird will find food elsewhere.

Read more about the Anna's Hummingbird, which has been expanding its range since the middle of the last century in response to more available feeders and nectar plants in suburban gardens here.​
​WHERE CAN I SHARE MY BIRD PHOTOS?
We would love to see your bird photos! Send them into us here for a chance of them getting featured on our website or newsletter.​
​ I FOUND An orphaned bird, WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH IT? ​
The spring and summer is orphan season. If you find an orphaned bird on the ground, it’s best to leave it alone.  Baby birds will often fledge (leave the nest) prior to their ability to fly.  This is common and their parents will still take care of them even if they are on the ground.  If the bird is in danger, you can move it to a safer place.

I found a baby bird, what shall I do? 
What should I feed ducks & geese?  Is bread unhealthy for them?
​Geese develop "angel wing," meaning they lose their ability to fly, when they're fed unnatural foods (bread, chips, etc.).

Feed the local birds these items instead:
  • Corn (canned, frozen or fresh)
  • Duck pellets
  • Lettuce, other greens (torn into small pieces)
  • Frozen peas (defrosted)
  • Oats (rolled or instant)
  • Seeds (including birdseed or other varieties)
Does feeding the birds make them dependent on feeders?
No.  Backyard birds, such as finches, sparrows, and woodpeckers are foraging birds. They adapted to be always on the look out for new sources of food. A great example is how finches eat grass seeds in Spring and Summer, but move to your feeders in the Fall and Winter when seeds are scarce. If you suddenly took down your bird feeders, the birds who have eaten there would move on, looking for new food sources such as a berry bush or someone else's bird feeder.
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The only really danger of accidentally harming birds with a feeder is salmonellosis. Birds naturally carry the salmonella bacteria in their feces (poop). When a bird feeder is heavily used, it gets covered with bird poop. Then it is easy for new visiting birds to pick up salmonella from the poop and become infected. This is why it is important to clean your feeders regularly in the winter.
​How do I clean my hummingbird feeders?