Feather dusters

A bird rehabilitation center on the lakefront, near downtown, gives injured winged friends a lift. By Tony Peregrin Photograph by Caroline Voagen NelsonGlass-paneled skyscrapers are clear and present danger for the 5 million migratory birds that fly through Chicago twice a year. The dull thwack of birds colliding with windows occurs at night (commonly known as “night strikes”) as well as during daylight hours—but fortunately for our fine feathered friends there is a “bird ER” just outside the Loop in the old Meigs Field terminal on Northerly Island.

Launched last April, the small but mighty operation is a satellite location of the Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation center, a nonprofit in Barrington. Dawn Keller, director of both facilities, says the Northerly Island location’s proximity to the city means the survival rate of birds brought into the center is more than 85 percent. The one-room, volunteer-run center has treated more than 900 birds—mostly sparrows and warblers—but the facility also accepts birds of prey. “[But] if you come across an injured bird, don’t immediately scoop him up and bring him in,” Keller says. Animals are accepted by appointment only, so call first (847-602-0628). “We like to talk with people first and determine what, exactly, the situation is,” says Keller amid a chorus of chirping. “Depending on the situation, we want to avoid interfering with nature if at all possible.”

Keller gives an example of people who bring in young birds who are just learning to fly, called fledglings, because they’re on the ground. “Fledglings often don’t fly very well at first—it is normal for them to spend some time on the ground,” she says. “People assume that they need help, but in reality, if people try to move or feed a fledging, this can be problematic.”

Serious and common cases include birds that have suffered head trauma after colliding with a building or getting hit by a car or train; broken wings, legs or beaks; and upper-respiratory infections. Treatments vary, and include surgery.

The Northerly Island bird rehabilitation center is the first of its kind in the country to work in tandem with a government entity, in this case the Chicago Park District. It is because of this relationship that Keller and her team were able to secure a prime spot on Northerly Island, a 91-acre peninsula that features a wide-open prairie that is ideal for nursing birds back to health.

The Northerly Island rehab site, and its larger sibling, Flint Creek, rely solely on public funding and private donations—basically surviving on a wing and prayer. If you want to help out, take part in the organization’s largest fund-raising event of the year by purchasing a $75 ticket to its annual car raffle: The grand prize is a 2007 Ford Hybrid or $25,000. (The drawing will be December 16. Tickets may be purchased online at www.flintcreekwildlife.org.)

“We hope to raise enough money to hire a full-time rehabilitator for the downtown Chicago location,” Keller says. And that ain’t cheep.