Page 781 - Hand rearing birds second

786 Appendix C

residue, such as insect barrier sticky resins or fly trap glue, feel
the area with your fingers for remaining residue and roll the bits
of glue off toward the tip of the feathers. Do not get soapy water
in the bird’s eyes. If this occurs, gently flush the eyes with saline
as needed.
Place the bird in the second washing solution and repeat the
process. Make sure the water temperature remains at 103–104 °F
(39.4–40 °C). Flush the eyes with saline as needed.
Step four: Rinse the bird. This can be done by preparing a third
container of clean water that is 103–104 °F (39.4–40 °C). Holding
the bird over the sink, gently pour the water over the soapy areas
until the bird is clean and residue free. Alternatively, if the sink is
fitted with a spray nozzle (like a home kitchen sink), turn the
water on and allow it to reach 103–104 °F (39.4–40 °C), then using
low pressure, rinse the bird over the sink using the spray nozzle.
This is the method the author uses and it works very well.
You will know when all of the soap and residue has been suc-
cessfully rinsed from the feathers when the water beads off the
surface of the feathers and down feathers will begin to fluff.
The entire process from wash to rinse should take no more
than 10 minutes. If at any time during the process the bird
becomes stressed, stop the process immediately. Songbirds are
small, so this is usually a one‐person job. However, a second per-
Figure C.1 Barn Swallow
caught in a fly trap. son can be helpful to monitor consistent water temperature and
observe the patient.
Step five: After the bird is rinsed, swaddle it in a towel and blot off excess water. Place the bird
in the pre‐heated incubator and allow it to rest and dry. This will take 15–20 minutes, depending on
the size of the bird and how much of the bird needed to be washed.

Figure C.2 Cornmeal sprinkled on a songbird stuck in a sticky trap to prevent further sticking.