Do your bit to rescue the Indian Pitta

Chennai

This is the season where Pittas migrate from North and Central India to the south. Some birds are said to migrate all the way from the Himalayas to Chennai. Since this is a long journey, these avians tend to get dehydrated and disoriented and are found at our doorsteps. Given below are a few dos and don’ts, which could enable you to help these birds rehydrate and continue their journey.

DOs

• If the bird is in a secure place away from direct sunlight and predators such as dogs, cats and other birds, just leave it as it is. Place a bowl/cup of water and mix a little bit of Electral in it. The bird will rehydrate itself and will fly away.
• If the bird is not in a secure place, try and gently get hold of the bird and put in a box/cage. Place a bowl of water inside it.
•  Keep the bird indoors, preferably in cooler room. If it is air-conditioned, that would be ideal.
• If you have access to worms or small insects, you can place them inside the box.
• The bird should be able to rehydrate and will have enough strength to fly within a few hours. The bird should be released only during the day or early evening and it can be released from the same spot where it was found.

DON’Ts

•  Don’t call a rescuer or any NGO to take away the bird, unless it is injured.
•  Don’t unnecessarily handle the bird or take selfies. They are very delicate and can die because of shock to due excessive or manhandling.
•  These birds are insectivorous — don’t feed them bread, millets, rice or grains. Don’t force feed the bird.
•  Don’t disturb the bird once if it’s inside the cage and resting. You can even cover the cage with a cloth so it doesn’t see humans around.
•  Don’t go to a water body or release the bird from a different location. Release it from the same spot where it was found.
•  Don’t release the bird after sunset since they are predominantly diurnal by nature.

For further help/advice contact 94450 70909

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