Page 193 - Hand rearing birds second

Grebes 179

Figure 10.6 A young Pied-billed Grebe resting on a haul-out made from a wire platform that is covered in
soft, porous shelf liner material and secured to the side of the pool. A heat lamp may be placed over the
haul-out if needed. Source: photo courtesy of Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota.

over the side. The water depth should be determined by how deep the bird can dive. It is important
to provide housing based on the close observation of each bird’s capabilities and consideration of
its medical history. Some larger birds may require a large pool, but also may need to be moved to a
safe, dry enclosure overnight if supervision is necessary.
The wet brooder shown in Figure 10.6 is set up to accommodate a healthy young Pied‐billed
Grebe. The haul‐out is above the water line and has a nonslip soft mesh for a substrate, small live
fish are available for the chick to capture; other food offerings can be placed on the haul‐out island
as needed to supplement once the chick is self‐feeding. A heat lamp can be placed over the haul‐
out until it is no longer needed. Netting covers the top of the pool and a hose is set on low so a small
amount of water is added while a small amount is also allowed to drain out to keep the water from
becoming soiled and stagnant. Knotless netting and other substrates could also be used for the
haul‐out, but must always be nonabrasive to delicate grebe feet.
The recommended pool size for grebes that are completely self‐feeding and independent is 6 ft.
(1.8 m) diameter × 2 ft. (0.6 m) deep (Miller 2012). When upgrading to a larger pool, it is prudent to
spend some time carefully observing the bird’s ability to swim, forage, and generally navigate the
larger space, before leaving the bird unattended.
All pools should have an accessible, dry haul‐out area so the bird can rest, preen, and warm itself
when needed. Haul‐outs for young chicks can be made by tightly stretching knotless, nylon netting
over a 1 × 1 ft. (30 × 30 cm) × 1–2 in. (2.5–5 cm) thick piece of closed cell foam, or be constructed by
wrapping Select Grip Easy Liner© shelf liner tautly around a PVC frame made of four 1 ft. (30 cm)
pieces of 1 in. (2.5 cm) PVC pipe and four 1 in. (2.5 cm) unthreaded 90° PVC elbow joints. Larger
birds should have a haul‐out that is either made from a similarly covered 2 × 2 ft. (60 × 60 cm) PVC
frame, or a piece of foam that is 2 × 2 × 3 ft. (60 × 60 × 90 cm) and covered in 1 in. (2.5 cm) knotless
nylon netting (Figure 10.7). Haul‐out coverings can be secured with zip ties and the whole unit
positioned so birds can easily climb onto them and should be attached to the pool side or anchored