Tom Sweets, executive director for Key West Wildlife Center, joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about the center.
As baby bird season continues across the Florida Keys, the Key West Wildlife Center is reminding residents that not every young bird found on the ground needs to be rescued—but those in immediate danger should be moved to safety.
The center is currently in the second wave of baby bird season, with many fledglings leaving their nests and learning to fly.
“If you find a baby bird on the ground and it’s fully feathered, that’s usually where it’s supposed to be,” Sweets said. “The parents are usually nearby and will continue feeding it.”
However, Sweets said intervention is appropriate when a bird is in immediate danger, such as near traffic or storm drains.
He explained that moving a young bird to a nearby safe area will not cause its parents to abandon it.
“The parents aren’t going to be put off by that,” Sweets said. “They’ll find their baby by its calls, so moving it a short distance to safety is absolutely the right thing to do.”
The wildlife center encourages anyone unsure about whether a bird needs help to call for guidance. Staff members often ask callers to send photographs so they can determine the bird’s age and condition before recommending a course of action.
Beyond baby birds, the center is currently caring for several injured wild birds, including an American white pelican that was rescued near Shark Key suffering from severe parasite infestation and malnutrition. The bird has recovered well and will soon be paired with another rehabilitated white pelican from the Wild Bird Center in Tavernier before both are released together.
The center is also treating two great white herons found weak and underweight, possibly after consuming contaminated fish, as well as a green heron recovering from a serious vehicle strike.
Sweets said birds struck by vehicles can often survive if they receive prompt treatment.
“If you can safely stop and the bird is unable to move, give us a call,” he said. “Sometimes they fly away initially before the trauma sets in, but many can still be helped.”
The center’s recently expanded rehabilitation facility has significantly improved care for injured wildlife. Sweets highlighted the addition of a hydrotherapy tub, which helps birds recovering from spinal injuries and other trauma regain strength without placing weight on injured limbs.
The nonprofit rehabilitates more than 1,400 wild birds each year and also provides rescue services for sea turtles, tortoises, land mammals, marine mammals and even the island’s famous free-roaming chickens.
Sweets said summer is typically the slowest season for donations and volunteers, making community support especially important.
Residents interested in volunteering can email the center, while donations can be made through its website.
Anyone who finds an injured bird or other wildlife can contact the Key West Wildlife Center’s 24-hour rescue line at 305-292-1008 or visit KeyWestWildlifeCenter.org for seasonal bird tips, rescue information and donation opportunities.