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716 Hand-Rearing Birds

Figure 45.6 American Robins bathing in an aviary. Source: photo courtesy of Veronica Bowers.

other to predators. Soft‐release is preferable – that is, providing food and shelter until the birds find
their own food and gradually move on. Cedar Waxwings must be released into a flock, which can
be located using online sources such as eBird. Weather should be mild the day or two following
release so that the birds have the time and opportunity to find food and shelter and to develop a
home territory.

Acknowledgments

My sincerest appreciation to Connie Black for her procedures on Cedar Waxwing care, to Connie
Anderson for her advice on American Robins, particularly regarding parasite protocols and hous-
ing enrichment, and to Janine Perlman for direction on nutrition and diets.

Sources of Products Mentioned

Animal Intensive Care Unit: Lyon Technologies, Inc., 1690 Brandywine Avenue, Chula Vista, CA.
91911, https://lyonvet.com.
Flightless stingless wasps and freeze‐dried insects: Arbico Organics, 10831 N. Mavinee Drive, Ste.
185, Oro Valley, AZ 85737‐9531, (800) 847‐2847, www.arbico‐organics.com.
Leg bands: Red bird Products, Inc., P. O. Box 376, Mount Aukum, CA 95656‐0376, (530) 620‐7440,
http://www.redbirdproducts.com.
Mealworms, waxworms, Dubia roaches, fly larvae, fruit flies and crickets: Rainbow Mealworms,
126 E. Spruce St, Compton, CA 90220, (800) 777‐9676. https://www.rainbowmealworms.net.

References

Duerr, R.S., Purdin, G.J., and Bowers, V. (2017). Small‐bodied birds: passerines, doves, woodpeckers,
others. In: Topics in Wildlife Medicine, Vol. 4: Orthopedics (eds. R.S. Duerr and G.J. Purdin), 53–74.
St. Cloud, MN: National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association.