With the arrival of our very first babies of the year, we're gearing up for the official launch of the 2025 Baby Bird Season. In celebration we're sharing their story below, and inviting you to participate in our Baby Bird Season Baby Shower — all without leaving the comfort of your home.
We also want to invite you to join us at a live event on March 8th as we attend the North Bay Science Discovery Day festival.
Always The Smallest, Always the First
We always know Baby Bird Season will soon to be upon us when the first tiny hummingbird babies arrive at our doorstep. Traditionally, this happens in March, however this year, these two little guys arrived on February 18th. A quick check of our records showed this was exactly the same day we received our first little hummers in 2021. Talk about coincidence...
Small enough for both the babies and their nest to comfortably fit in the palm of your hand, they were alert, well fed and still in their nest on that rainy afternoon after a tree-trimming project removed the branch the nest had been attached to. There was no way to replace the nest in a location the parents would find it, meaning these youngsters will be with us until they are old enough to thrive on their own. One thing is for sure. Soon they will have plenty of company in the nursery to keep them from focusing too much on their human caretakers!
It's A Virtual Baby Shower & Your Invited!
As we prepare for the hundreds of babies who will soon be filling our wards, we're throwing a virtual Baby Shower to help stock up on the supplies, equipment and essentials we're going to need!
We are frequently asked about tangible needs — specific items folks can purchase for us to support our work. So we've put together our own baby registry that includes equipment, supplies and food. These are practical, yet critical, items necessary to get us through our bustling baby season. If you are able to help, these supplies are all available online. All of your baby shower gifts will support the most vulnerable patients we care for.
Hemostats
Used to feed the hundreds of hungry babies who fill our wards, we need 40 of the 5" curved and 40 of the 5" straight nonlocking hemostats.
Syringes
1cc needle-less Miracle syringes are staples for baby diets. We need 100 of them (10 packs of 10).
Vet Wrap
Used to immobilize broken bones and other injuries, we need 20 2" brown wrap (24-packs) and 20 1" brown wrap (16-packs). While this may seem like a lot, given the number of birds requiring wraps and the number of times the wraps have to be replaced after exams and treatment, it goes fast!
Spray Bottles
Cleaning is a full time job no matter what time of year it is, and we go through a lot of spray bottles keeping things sanitary. With our busiest time of year on the horizon, we need 30 of the 32 oz. Spraymaster bottles (ten 3-packs).
Heating Pads
Many of our patients need heat when they first arrive, and during baby season, we frequently receive babies so young they are unable to thermoregulate (maintain their body temperature. We need 10 of the large heated Kennel Pads.
Ghillie Suits
One of the biggest dangers while treating young babies is imprinting. It can be a literal death sentence if a baby imprints on humans during rehabilitation. Our care givers wear camouflage suits to keep them wild and not associate humans with food. We need 5 of the 4.8 - 5.9 foot size.
Check out our Wish List for even more Baby Shower ideas! Your gifts will help babies heal, become independent and get ready for release back into the wild
Join Us On March 8th For The
North Bay Science Discovery Festival!
Saturday, March 8th
10am until 4pm
Sonoma County Fairgrounds
Garrett Building
This free community festival will bring together 100 organizations to spark curiosity for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Through hands-on exploration, this event will inspire young and old alike with opportunities to ask questions, solve problems and dream big.
Join us as we share fun facts about our local birds and learn about their lynchpin role in safeguarding our environment.
It promises to be a day filled with fun and wonder!
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