March 27, 2009

One Wing at a Time - Caring for Wild Birds

What's the correct thing to do when you find an injured bird that smacked into your window or a baby bird alone in your yard? Do bells on your cat's collar really prevent your cat from catching songbirds? My guest today, Susie Gilbert author of Flyaway: How a Wild Bird Rehabber Sought Adventure and Found her Wings will answer many questions and talk about her adventures caring for all kinds of birds in order to release them back into the wild. You may be surprised and delighted to hear about the character traits of some birds and Suzie's personal stories of what it was like to raise both birds and children while operating a bird rehabilitation business from her home are humorous, inspiring, informative and emotionally touching.

Episode Segments:

Wild About Pets: Caring for Wild Birds Susie explains what an animal rehabilitator is, and what led her down her current career path. She also talks about what you should do if you find a baby bird on the ground, and dispels some of the common myths about handling birds.
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Wild About Pets: The Bird Population Susie discusses the shrinking bird populations and what we can do to protect them. She also tells some stories about birds she has saved, and also talks about the West Nile Virus, and the impact it is having on bird populations.
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Wild About Pets: Bird Rehabbers Susie tells us how you can go about finding a bird rehabber in your area. She also talks about her own birds, including a pair of crows she has rescued.
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Links to Related Websites:

Order Flyaway: How A Wild Bird Rehabber Sought Adventure And Found Her Wings At Amazon.com In this captivating memoir, Suzie Gilbert tells the rollicking story of how she turned her family life upside down to pursue her unusual passion for rehabilitating wild birds. Original, lyrical, and highly entertaining, Flyaway will forever change the way you see this amazing member of the animal kingdom.

Look While You Listen! Visit the Wild About Pets official web site and view the pictures Susan and her guest(s) are discussing.

Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Susie Gilbert She began volunteering at a raptor rehabilitation center in 1990 and in 2001 opened her home based bird rehabiliation organization, Flyaway, Inc. Suzie Gilbert lives in the Hudson Valley of New York with her husband and two children and is also the author of the children's book "Hawk Hill.”