Caroline Jones
Contributing Writer
Birds are often used as a metaphor for freedom. America’s own Eagle is a symbol we will see often in a couple of weeks as we celebrate the Fourth of July. The sky is also spoken of as the open highway for the birds above. On the other side, there is the bird in the gilded cage or Maya Angelou’s imagery of the caged bird. Often, birds are thought of as self-sufficient or trapped pets. It does not seem common that birds are thought of as animals that may need human help.
Rehabilitation is possible but has many rules as an Eaton County couple, Blake and Nicki Miller, found out on a visit to the Fayette Historic Townsite. The couple spotted a bird struggling to get off the ground. Blake, a self-identified bird enthusiast, picked up the bird to see what the problem was. “I could not find anything physically wrong with the bird,” Blake said, “but something was definitely wrong.”
Without cell service, the Miller’s visited the gift shop to seek help from the DNR. Miller said that the Park Rangers arrived but it was determined that there was nothing that could be done. Miller said that he and his wife were preparing to take the bird to a local licensed wildlife rehabilitator. “My wife and I stepped outside and attempted to put the bird in the box,” Miller recounted, “but she caught the wind and flew into a nearby tree.”
After the birds escape, Nicki got a book to identify species of birds. They found that the bird was a Cedar Waxwing. Blake shared a fun fact about these birds’ nutrition. The Miller’s discovered that the bird’s behavior was likely due to the consumption of berries that often ferment. The bird was likely intoxicated. Blake mused, “I felt honored to keep her safe and warm until she sobered up.”
The Miller’s did not keep or meet the bird again. Blake said of the bird, “Eventually, it flew away and we continued to explore the haunted historical townsite in Fayette Historic State Park.” I would like to think that if the bird was to meet the Miller’s again that she would remember the good they showed to her in her time of need.
With Blake and Nicki’s story, it is important to know that there was more to helping the bird than just taking it home with them. As Blake said, they had planned to take the bird to a local licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Those who are not licensed by the state are not authorized to care for wildlife that has been orphaned or are in need of rehabilitation due to risks of disease, injury, or parasites.
This is not to say that it is impossible for someone with an interest in rescuing animals to help orphaned or injured animals. The michigan.gov website (https://bit.ly/3q0tZcI), has lots of information for prospective rehabilitators as well as for those looking for a rehabilitator to take an animal in need to. The site provides an e-booklet with important information about what it would mean to become a rehabilitator. As the booklet says, it is not a hobby but is said to be very rewarding.
As humans, there is always something to learn about nature. A part of learning though is following the laws that not only keep animals safe but ourselves too. I highly recommend checking the Michigan DNR website for more information about the laws and regulations for being, as well as what it means to be, a wildlife rehabilitator.
