{"id":10880,"date":"2025-03-25T12:27:40","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T19:27:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/los-angeles\/?p=10880"},"modified":"2025-03-25T12:27:40","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T19:27:40","slug":"bird-eggs-and-chicks-rescued-from-wind-damaged-tree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/los-angeles\/bird-eggs-and-chicks-rescued-from-wind-damaged-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"Bird eggs and chicks rescued from wind-damaged tree"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction to the Rescue Effort<\/h2>\n

Dozens of bird eggs and chicks were rescued from nests in a single wind-damaged eucalyptus tree that was dangerously close to collapsing in a California park. Now staff at the International Bird Rescue\u2019s Los Angeles Wildlife Center in San Pedro have been working around the clock to care for the 47 eggs and 12 chicks, all double-crested Cormorants, in hopes that they will be able to be released back into the wild in a few months.<\/p>\n

The Damaged Tree and Rescue Operation<\/h2>\n

The tree at a park in Marina del Rey was flagged earlier this month after one of its trunks fell and crushed a trash bin enclosure, explained Nicole Mooradian, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches & Harbors. Its other trunk was showing signs of collapsing as well, threatening not only the birds but anyone on the nearby public walkway or in the parking lot next door.<\/p>\n

A rescued cormorant chick is fed after an examination at International Bird Rescue\u2019s Los Angeles Wildlife Center on Monday, March 10, 2025, in San Pedro, Calif. (Photo by Ariana Gastelum\/International Bird Rescue via AP)
\n\u201cIt wasn\u2019t a question of if this tree is going to fail, it was more of a when,\u201d she said Monday. \u201cThe cracks were growing wider by the day. It was really bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Rescue Process<\/h2>\n

For at least five hours on March 10, tree contractors meticulously removed each of the 20 nests and chopped off branches one at a time. Biologists on the ground put the eggs and hatchlings in egg cartons and boxes with heated blankets acting as temporary incubators.<\/p>\n

About Double-Crested Cormorants<\/h2>\n

Double-crested Cormorants are common in Southern California and tend to nest in large colonies that may crowd a single tree, explained Kylie Clatterbuck, wildlife center manager for the bird rescue. For about a month, Cormorant parents incubate the eggs and then give the chicks regurgitated food for several weeks.
\nTaking care of them can be very difficult because when they hatch they are essentially \u201cnaked little balls of skin\u201d completely reliant on their parents, she said.<\/p>\n

Care at the Rescue Center<\/h2>\n

At the rescue center, the chicks must be fed every hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.. When staff interact with them, they wear a black suit and disguise their face, while using decoys and puppets to keep the birds from forming an attachment with them, which could make them too trusting of humans in the wild.
\nRescue staff expect the birds to stay for at least three months and then once they can hunt on their own and fly, they plan to release them into the wild.<\/p>\n

Current Status and Future Plans<\/h2>\n

All of the chicks are healthy and happy, with some about 2 weeks old and already eating whole fish, said Clatterbuck.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s really hard raising baby birds. We do our best; we do what we know; we treat what we know,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd we can only hope that they do a good job and they can survive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The rescue of dozens of bird eggs and chicks from a wind-damaged tree in Marina del Rey is a remarkable effort that highlights the importance of conservation and wildlife protection. The staff at the International Bird Rescue\u2019s Los Angeles Wildlife Center are working tirelessly to care for the birds, and their dedication and expertise give hope for the successful release of these birds back into the wild.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n