 Liberty Wildlife relies on the public to help us with the baby birds. Fortunately, they are so darn cute, most people try to find help when they discover a baby bird on the ground or in the jaws of their dog or cat. Babies are brought to our drop-off window by the hundreds during the busy spring season. They are brought in shoeboxes, in grocery sacks, even in old straw hats. We recommend that injured or orphaned animals of any kind be kept warm, quiet and in the dark, so boxes and paper bags with adequate ventilation are a good place to start. The kind individuals who have driven to our facility with a wild baby are usually full of concern for and attachment to "their" charge. Many would like to follow the progress of the little bugger, and even see it brought back to their neighborhood for its release. People frequently call us to check on the animals they have brought in.
 We are so appreciative of such concern and care! But as the baby birds grow and start to feed themselves, they are moved into aviaries where they live with others of their kind. This helps them to prepare for life in the wild, and ensures they are secure in their identity. It is a sad thing when baby birds are raised and overhandled by humans. They may recover physically but will become imprinted on humans, losing their mental connection with their own kind. These animals are non-releasable, as they will not know how to find food or survive in the wild. Once a baby bird has been put in with the others, it will be nearly impossible for us to identify it, so following up on one member of the more common species is very difficult.
 So if you have a hankering to raise a baby bird, come on out to Liberty Wildlife and help us in our orphan care center. You will get plenty of hands-on opportunities feeding the baby birds. You will see many of the species we are all familiar with, the doves, wrens, mockingbirds, thrashers and quail. You will also see a few rare types. Liberty's orphan care center cared for more than 30 different species of birds in '07!
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