Do you hear birds in your chimney? They’re probably a family of Chimney Swifts. As their name indicates, Chimney Swifts like to roost in chimneys. Their feet are specifically adapted to grip rough surfaces, like the bricks in chimney walls or the inside of a hollow tree. Chimney swifts are unable to perch on branches or stand on the ground like [Read More …]
The Awesome Opossum: Washington DC’s Pest Control
Virginia opossums are very misunderstood animals. Many people see them as a pest when, in fact, they’re nature’s pest control. Opossums love to eat and they’ll eat just about anything. That’s why you might find one rummaging through your trash can. One of their favorite snacks is ticks. A single opossum can eat up to 5,000 ticks in one season! [Read More …]
How to Help Baby Birds
We’re deep into spring, which means that baby birds are hatching all around the city! If you happen to stumble upon a grounded baby bird, don’t fret; you can easily help it. First, identify whether or not the baby bird is injured: Does it have open wounds? Is it bleeding? Is it unable to use a leg or a wing? Was it in another [Read More …]
Re-nesting Baby Squirrels
City Wildlife recently admitted the first baby squirrel of the year! Each spring, we get flooded with orphaned squirrels that have fallen from their nest. We do our best to give every squirrel a second chance at life, but our specialized care does not come close to the care they receive from their mother. To ensure their best chance of survival, [Read More …]
Helping Local Turtles: Not A Hard Shell!
We have had some great success stories lately involving some of our favorite patients: Turtles! While birds and mammals comprise the majority of the animals that we care for at City Wildlife, we also take in reptiles and amphibians. Turtles are chief among these reptiles! The Department of Energy and Environment has observed 21 species of [Read More …]
Don’t String Them Along
Trash and litter related injuries are more common than you would think, especially in urban environments. Often, it starts with something as simple as a piece of string. Although string may seem harmless to us, it can cause a lot of problems for wildlife. Small mammals, waterfowl, and other birds can easily become tangled up and get injured trying [Read More …]
Join Us For A Special Valentine’s Day Event!
Each Valentine's Day City Wildlife opens its doors to the public. It is our way of celebrating a sweet and loving holiday and to thank our friends and supporters. Everyone is welcome. Please invite your family and friends and join us in touring the facility, enjoying Valentine goodies, and showing your love for DC’s wildlife by helping us fulfill [Read More …]
Special Fundraising Event on October 27th!
This year Teddy and the Bully Bar will be giving a portion of the proceeds of their celebratory event honoring Teddy Roosevelt to City Wildlife. Please join us for this special fundraising event to honor this beloved American president and support City Wildlife. We hope to see you there! [Read More …]
Make Way For Ducklings: A Modern Tale
Every spring and summer Mallard ducks spread out across the city and lay their nests in courtyards, parks, on rooftops, and in people’s backyards. Mallard ducks often nest downtown or in very congested areas because the small planters and tree boxes they find there are good hiding spots and well protected from predators (such as: crows, gulls, [Read More …]
We’re Expecting Babies!
The Spring And Summer Are Our Busiest Seasons! Why? Because we have so many little mouths to feed! Very soon we will begin seeing baby squirrels, rabbits, and opossums. You will probably see them too! Although most baby animals tend to stay in their nests till they grow older, you can often see mom and dad bustling around looking for food. In late [Read More …]
