My name is Rain (he/they), and I am based in North America. I am a biologist, wildlife rehabilitator, and bird enthusiast.
I use this blog for chatting about my personal birds, rescue & rehab patients, and other birds I work with.
I run a local rescue aviary, where I intake orphaned or injured non-protected (invasive & feral) birds, pet surrenders, and the occasional humane case.
I assist with the rehabilitation, ongoing care, and training of native birds. I currently specialize in corvids & have a fondness for jays.
I am a behavioral researcher, and aim to specialize in developing practices for keeping & caring for non-releasable birds in the most ethical & low-stress way possible.
I am a small-scale hobbyist keeper & breeder of some companion pigeons & doves.
-> Answered questions: #rain answers
I am always open to questions or messages about any of my birds, or myself and what I do! I may not get to them right away, but will respond whenever I am able.
[Some additional disclaimers/information/notes below the cut]
-> Disclaimers -
I am an adamant believer that wild birds always thrive best in nature, and the vast majority of people are not suited to care for wild birds.
It is true that human care increases the lifespan of a wild animal, as well as lessens health risks.
However, without extreme amounts of work, things like diet, enrichment, activity levels, sociality, and natural behaviors in captivity pale in comparison to what they would experience in their native habitats.
A large percentage of wild birds in captive environments suffer from depression, malnutrition, lack of appropriate stimulation, forced human interaction, high stress, or other physical & mental health issues.
I do not promote the kidnapping of wildlife, human habituation of wild animals, or wild bird ownership - as a general rule, but ESPECIALLY in cases where the bird is a candidate for release.
Any bird in my care is either a) domesticated or captive bred, b) a rehabilitation patient, or c) professionally deemed non-releasable and receiving monthly quality of life evaluations.
If you find a native bird in need of help, please take it to a professional immediately.
Notes:
-> I follow from @cyanocoracinae (main but mostly reblogs)
Spending time in Germany for my honeymoon and have gotten some absolutely awesome birding in! So far, we are at 45 new lifer species for the trip and counting. Still have a few days left here, plus one huge birding day in southern France at the end of the trip :] Super grateful to have had this opportunity 🥹
Gonna be away for a little bit while on a trip! Will share pics from my birdsitter but otherwise will return on the 20th. Have a good couple weeks, all! ❣️
I don't usually post too much about the natives I work with but wanted to share the latest dramatic blue jay sunbath, lol.
We all melt in a good sunbeam!! ☀️
[OBLIGATORY DISCLAIMER: River is a non-releasable blue jay kept under educational permitting - I am just her trainer and personal servant! Wild birds are not pets!!!!]
Someone had this domestic pigeon self-rescue with them earlier this week! I am genuinely stunned that anyone would release a pigeon breed like this and am so grateful to the people who worked so hard to catch him and bring him to safety. Poor kiddo can't be much older than 6mo, and even still squeaks a bit 🥺
