I interviewed Errolyn Martin who is the licensed rehabilitator and Executive Director of Wildlife Center of North Georgia. (wcnga.org).
What made you want to become a bird rehabilitator?
I have always been an animal lover. When I got out the Air Force I worked at a vet hospital. When Covid hit rehabbers had stopped taking in birds and we were getting so many. I looked up how to become a rehabber, I interned at Wild Bird Nest and got licensed to do it on my own.
Can you tell us about Wildlife Center of North Georgia (WCNGA)?
We are the first songbird rehabilitation facility that serves north Georgia. We hope to expand to other species in the future. Our mission is to rehabilitate orphaned and injured songbirds so they can be returned to the wild. We educate the public on how to help injured songbirds and how to help prevent their decline due to habitat loss, window collisions and outdoor cats.
Is there any specie in particular in decline in Georgia?
The Red Headed Woodpecker is struggling due to non native species invading their nesting sites and food sources. People cut down dead trees, but if they could leave them they do provide an abundance of insects for birds like woodpeckers.
How many birds do you currently have in the center and what are the reasons birds come to you?
At the moment we have 7. Most of our birds come to us in Spring/Summer. People bring in babies and fledglings that have fallen out of nests or know that a cat has killed the parents. Cat caught fledglings are unfortunately common. We also get birds that have flown into windows.
Do birds get along together?
It depends on the specie. Fledgling Cardinals can go with older Cardinals who teach them the ways. Hummingbirds cannot go together as they are territorial. You also can’t put smaller birds with predatory birds like Blue Jays. I currently have a Cedar Waxwing and Wood Thrush together. They do not compete and eat similar foods.
How long does a bird usually stay with you?
Babies that come in as nestlings take 6 to 8 weeks. They take longer as they need to learn foraging skills without the help of their parents’ example. It depends too on the specie. Wrens mature quickly. Cardinals 6 to 8 weeks. To be released they must be fully functional. With window collision victims it depends on the severity. Cat caught birds need at least a week of antibiotics and if there are complications another week is possible. If there is feather loss we have got to wait until feathers grow back which is 5 to 7 weeks.
What do you want people to know about the birds in their backyard?
Aside from their beauty, they are important parts of a fragile ecosystem. We have the power to support and protect them.
My favorite bird is a Blue Jay, what is your favorite and why?
The Cardinal is mine. It is the first bird I rehabilitated. She was a nestling. I do love Blue Jays too and most all birds.
What are the main things people can do to help birds?
Plant native plants. Use natural insect control methods. Birds rely heavily on insects. For example, baby Cardinals (and most baby birds) are fed insects early in their development. If we kill insects we are impacting birds massively. Please be aware of birds during migration. There are many ways people can help during migration to mitigate against window collisions.
What is a story you like to tell since you started Wildlife Center of North Georgia?
I had a cat caught fledgling Blue Jay and an adult injured Blue Jay come into my care. Once the fledgling was treated and on his feet I put him with the larger adult in a large aviary. It was so cool to see the older one teaching the fledgling how to forage and look for food.
I also had a set of Cardinal babies, both cat caught. I had an older one and she also taught the babies. They were all released together and I was grateful they were taught things I would never have been able to teach the babies.
How can people determine if a bird needs help.
If you can walk up to an adult bird and pick it up, it needs help. With babies, if they are on the ground try to renest them. With birds its often best to just observe. Often a bird looks hurt but if you walk up to it it will fly away.
If a bird needs help what is the first thing someone should do? What are some things people should not do?
Put them in a ventilated cardboard box on a paper towel. Never give liquids or food. Contact a rehabber.
How can people help Wildlife Center of North Georgia?
Funding is important. Between food, vet expenses, and habitats it costs a lot and we are completely volunteer based. Please spread the word about the resources available to help birds. A contact form is on the website.