MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin conservation groups are urging residents to help migratory birds that are being threatened by the cold, snowy spring.
Animal control offices are seeing a growing number of calls asking about how to help starving or injured birds, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.
The lasting cold weather has many birds becoming hypothermic as they’re unable to stay warm.
“This is not a normal spring,” said Marge Gibson, one of the founders of the Raptor Education Group. “The birds can deal with some snow and cold, but not deep snow and sustained cold.”
Gibson said she’s taken more than 50 phone calls, emails and Facebook messages about dying or weakened birds.
Struggling birds that can be picked up should be placed in a cardboard box with a towel on the bottom and brought to a warm area, according to the Raptor Education Group.
“Put food in the box,” Gibson said. “Live or dried mealworms and live waxworms work, and they can be found anywhere where live bait is sold, such as Walmart or gas stations that sell bait.”
Birds are having a difficult time finding insects to feed on, so residents should also keep their bird feeders full, Gibson said. Food can also be placed on the ground where birds gather.
“Robins can eat cut-up raisins, dried mealworms, shelled sunflower seed pieces, frozen blueberries and crumbled suet blocks,” Gibson said.
Wild birds should be kept away from pets and taken to a wildlife rehab center.
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Information from: Wisconsin State Journal, http://www.madison.com/wsj
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