Page 508 - Hand rearing birds second

Goatsuckers 505

Figure 32.5 Common Nighthawk chick with a mirror and stuffed animal. Source: photo courtesy of Yvonne
Wallace Blane, Fellow Mortals Wildlife Hospital.

washable, inexpensive, and has the additional benefit of being available in various patterns. If given
a choice, choose a darker variegated pattern. Fleece will not catch the tiny toes of the bird, as will
a looped towel, nor does it have feather‐damaging oils, as newspapers do. Insecticide‐free dry leaf
litter may also be placed on the bottom of the cage in uneven piles if replaced regularly to avoid
mold. Darker colors or camouflage patterns seem to provide comfort to the birds, even the young-
est chicks will generally choose to sit or lie on the colors with which they best blend.
Cleanliness is of extreme importance, whatever substrate material is chosen. The substrate must
be maintained meticulously to avoid feces or spilled formula from contacting and damaging the
delicate feathers. Occasionally, a casting may be found, which will contain undigested insect parts;
this should also be disposed of during cleaning.

Perches

Typical songbird perches are not utilized by goatsuckers. They will perch either on the ground, or
laterally and horizontally on a wide branch or rock. While in care, an elevated area may be pro-
vided through the use of a contoured substrate, a large branch or small log, or a large rock. Rocks
and sand will retain heat better than woods, and both rocks and woods can be elevated enough to
keep the delicate feathers away from feces.

Water Availability
Some rehabilitators have noticed that the birds will defecate in water dishes, but none have reported
goatsuckers actually drinking water while in care. In the wild, some goatsuckers have been
observed drinking by skimming still water with their lower jaws while flying, or rarely while sitting
at the edge of a still‐water pond. Moisture is presumed to be primarily provided by the fluid content
of insects, many of which are comprised of 70% fluids. As young chicks or injured adults may
drown or become chilled, supplemental water should be made available only to healthy adults in
pre‐release housing.