News

Did you know that feeding bread to birds is not only a bad nutritional choice, but it can also be deadly? Bread does not contain the necessary fat and protein birds require to fuel their high metabolism. Bread can also expand when mixed with water in the bird's digestive system, which can cause impaction, infection or even death.

Waterfowl are also at risk from bread thrown into ponds. Stagnant water can contribute to an overgrowth of botulism bacteria. Bread floating in the water absorbs the bacteria. The tainted bread can be deadly if eaten by the birds.

Learn more at Bread is Bad 

The increasing development in our area means a loss of habitat for the native wildlife. There are more roads, more cars and more chances that wildlife will encounter vehicles - often with deadly results. The Florida Wildlife Hospital receives an increasing number of patients every year that have been injured by vehicle collisions.

To educate yourself on how to reduce the chance that our wildlife will become roadkill, go to Conservation in Practice or Defenders of Wildlife

Patient Information

Baby Birds of Prey!

The Florida Wildlife Hospital has received an abnormally high number of young birds of prey this spring. In the past month, the hospital has admitted a Bald Eagle (upper right), 6 Red-shouldered Hawks (lower right), 4 Screech Owls, a Crested Caracara and a Great Horned Owl. All these birds were nestlings or fledglings. The Bald Eagle and the Crested Caracara have been transferred to other facilities where they will receive specialized care. The remaining birds are being cared for at the Wildlife Hospital.

Most of the rescued birds were found on the ground near their nest sites. It is possible that the ongoing drought has reduced the available food supply, causing the babies to leave the nest or to be forced out early. Whatever the reason for this unusually high number of youngsters, they will be cared for until they are are old enough to fend for themselves in the wild.

Photos courtesy of Carolyn Sorg.

If you would like to contribute for food, care and medications for these birds and the other 3000+ wildlife patients we receive yearly, please use the donations link below, the PayPal or JustGive buttons on the right or mail to : Florida Wildlife Hospital, 4560 N. US Hwy 1, Melbourne, FL 32935. You may click here to request more information. Thank you for supporting Florida Wildlife Hospital and Florida's Treasure...our wildlife.

Events

Thanks to Patricia Wright and the many other dedicated volunteers who made the semi-annual garage sale a big success for the Florida Wildlife Hospital. We appreciate all the donated items received and the many members who attended the sale. Another garage sale is planned for the fall. For information on how to help, call 321-254-8843 or e-mail mail@floridawildlifehospital.org

Favorite Links

Sea Turtle Preservation Society

Information on what to do if you find a turtle hatchling, an exposed nest or an injured sea turtle

All About Birds

A wealth of information on wild birds, including how to identify, attract, and build nest boxes

Organic Gardening

Tips on organic gardening, composting and lawn mower tune-ups to create a healthier environment

Sandhill Crane Information

All about the sandhill crane

Animals in the Wild

Wildlife photography by Jim Robertson

Bald Eagle and Osprey Cam

Live pictures of Osprey & Eagle nests at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge