At SkyWatch Bird Rescue in North Carolina, the team is accustomed to welcoming injured birds arriving by car in carriers. However, a recent discovery left them puzzled. One day, they found a log abandoned on the rescue’s porch, a sight quite unusual for the facility.
An Unexpected Find
Staff members suspected that the log had been left by a local tree-cutting service. The workers might have noticed something peculiar about the branch and decided to leave it at the rescue center.
Determined to uncover the mystery, the SkyWatch staff carefully sawed into the log. They had no idea what to expect and braced themselves for whatever they might find inside.
The Surprise Inside
To their astonishment, they discovered two orphaned baby woodpeckers, frightened and alone. The babies were understandably disoriented by their sudden change in surroundings.
“It’s probably a similar feeling to your house having an earthquake while you’re in bed, then suddenly some giant rips off the roof and pulls you out,” a SkyWatch representative explained.
Advice for Similar Situations
SkyWatch experts provided guidance for anyone who might encounter a similar situation. If you find a baby woodpecker nest in a cut branch or tree, there are steps to ensure the birds’ survival. They suggest relocating the log or branch to keep the babies with their parents. If other trees are nearby, you can tie, tape, or bind the log vertically onto the nearest tree. This way, the parent birds can hear their babies and continue to care for them.
A Safe Haven and a New Beginning
Once the baby woodpeckers were safely inside, they were given plenty of food and placed in a warm incubator with other birds of similar size. As they regained their strength, they were moved to an outdoor enclosure where they had more space to spread their wings.
When the time was right, the rescue performed a soft release, allowing the birds to return to the wild while still being able to come back to the rescue center if needed. This approach ensured the birds could adapt to their new life while knowing they had a safe place to return to for support.
Back in the wild, these woodpeckers are now forging a new life, aware that help is always available if they need it. “They’re not kicked out,” the SkyWatch representative said. “There are still food plates around in the trees and [around] the property for them to find as a helping hand for as long as they need it.”
This heartwarming story is a testament to the dedication and compassion of the SkyWatch Bird Rescue team, who work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of these vulnerable creatures.
