We opened the doors of our tiny clinic in downtown Ann Arbor fifteen years ago and every year since have cared for thousands of injured and orphaned birds (1100 birds so far in 2019). These birds are often nestlings, fallen from their nest (with no parent in sight), from a nest found after a tree has been cut down (see story below) or injured by dogs, cats and even raptors. Many of the birds we treat have been hurt by flying into windows. We rehabilitate as many of these birds as we can with the goal of releasing them back to their natural environment.

In June, we received three nestling red-bellied woodpeckers who were found after their tree was cut down. The birds required a tremendous amount of care, with feedings every thirty minutes. One of the birds arrived with an irreparable wing injury preventing him from being able to be released, but we were able to secure him a place at a zoo as an “educational ambassador”. A second male from the nest was successfully released in late August and the third from the nest, a female, was finally released in late October, after a lengthy recuperation. Saving these three birds from this one nest has taken many hours of time from our clinic professionals, interns and volunteers, and these are just three of the more than one thousand birds we have helped in our clinic just this year.

It’s hard to imagine the huge amount of work that comes out of our small building that is the Bird Center. We hope for a larger space one day to better accommodate our injured friends and the many people who are working long hours every day to help them. The number of injured birds we receive is growing every year. Recent analysis from decades of data on bird populations shows that in the last 50 years, one in four birds in North America has disappeared. Now more than ever, the work that we do to save as many of these birds as we can is of utmost importance. The Bird Center is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization and receives no state or federal support. Your donations allowed us care for the red-bellied woodpeckers and the hundreds of other birds that we have helped. With your support, we can expand this important work. Please give generously.

With gratitude,
Andrea Aiuto, Clinic Manager, the 2019 staff; and the Board of Directors