General information on birds

Birds are vulnerable creatures. Most species are dependant on their flying abilities to survive.
They need their wings intact to be able move on. Furthermore birds need to maintain their feathers. They need to make them water repellent with fat from their fat gland. Only birds that can fly well and have a healthy feather suit, have a chance to survive in nature.

The first weeks of a young birds life is filled with danger. A large percentage of the young ones dies.
Humans can often lend a helping hand. Although biologists say that this is of no importance for birds repopulation, why would we let a helpless young bird die ? Consider that young birds need regular feedings, often every couple of hours. Take on that challenge only if you have the time for it. If not, leave it to a specialist, where they have the resources and a license for the aid.
Officially it is punishable by law to have wild birds in your home. If you want to raise the birds yourself, despite all of this, ask advise at a bird relief centre.

Traffic casualties

The car is the largest bird killer, an uncountable number of birds are run over every year. It is possible to do something about that.
When in 1973 the maximum speed on highways was reduced to 100 kilometres an hour, the number of killed animals was reduced immediately. Nowadays the problem is back again. The shoulders of the roads are filled with dead animals, often the drivers don't even realise that they have killed a bird. Driving slower can save the lives of more birds.
Bird protection also advices the following:

• Don't throw anything out of the window. Birds that try to eat it, are in danger.
• Pay extra attention to the early hours in the morning, during the months of May and June (young birds) and when the land is frozen or covered with snow.
• Give signals with light and sound, when you see birds on the road.
• Take extra care and drive calmly when you drive on roads where there are large plants, bushes or trees standing close to the road or when you drive through areas with many birds.

Pictures:
Top picture: Young little owl
Bottom picture: Duck with a splint on his right leg