Brown Paper Tickets uses cookies to provide the best experience on our website. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy

Cookie Settings

Charity Spotlight: Wild About the Wild Bird Fund

Good Causes >

When we think of the hustle and bustle of New York City and the animals that live there, what comes to mind? Well-groomed poodles? Pizza Rat? Along with its 8.6-million human residents, there are a whole lot of wild creatures in need of care and protection from the booming city.

Every month, Brown Paper Tickets selects a recipient for a one-time donation from a list of our user’s suggestions. Our latest recipient, the Wild Bird Fund stood out because it is a steward for wildlife in New York City. They see the beauty in pigeons, educate children to live in harmony with wild birds, and care for injured animals. They report that 90% of the animals brought to them are “directly or indirectly injured by human activity.”

The Wild Bird Fund can be found on the Upper West Side, a block from Central Park. They share on their site: “Located in the heart of the concrete jungle, the Wild Bird Fund provides the necessary medical and rehabilitation services for injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife found in New York City.”

If you have a minute (or maybe an hour…) check out their current patients.

The Wild Bird Fund shares a lot of interesting information on each highlighted success story. Here’s our favorite.

The Ruddy Duck, Light Weight Champ:

After surviving a rubber band assault and a dog attack (!!!) he was found in Brooklyn and brought to the Wild Bird Fund Rehabilitation Center.

A fighter at heart, he hissed at and tried to bite his caretakers and even escaped his cage during his stay—a good reminder that these wild animals are not pets. When he was eventually back in the pond at Central Park, he was in the right place.

Since it’s spring and wildlife is emerging, we thought it would be good to share some hot tips from Wild Bird Fund:

  • Fears of disease transmission from pigeons are largely unfounded. Most pigeon diseases only transmit to other birds, not to people. All you have to do is wash your hands.
  • Return fledglings and nestlings to their nests.
    “It is a myth that a bird will reject a baby because it was handled by humans. Don’t bird-nap!”
  • If the baby bird has feathers and is hopping on the ground, this is normal behavior. The parents are still feeding it.

If you love birds and appreciate the Wild Bird Fund, check out ways to get involved.

Photo Credit: Fred Cohen Photography