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All the United States New York State New York City Manhattan Wild Bird Fund

Wild Bird Fund

New York City's only wildlife rehabilitation center treats more than 3,000 feathered and furry patients each year.

New York, New York

Added By
Kerry Wolfe
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A patient at the Wild Bird Fund.   National Geographic/CC BY-SA 3.0
A patient at the Wild Bird Fund.   National Geographic/CC BY-SA 3.0
A patient at the Wild Bird Fund.   Wild Bird Fund/CC BY-SA 3.0
A patient at the Wild Bird Fund.   Great Big Story/CC BY-SA 3.0
The Wild Bird Fund.   National Geographic/CC BY-SA 3.0
The Wild Bird Fund.   Great Big Story/CC BY-SA 3.0
Patients at the Wild Bird Fund.   Wild Bird Fund/CC BY-SA 3.0
A patient at the Wild Bird Fund.   National Geographic/CC BY-SA 3.0
A patient at the Wild Bird Fund.   National Geographic/CC BY-SA 3.0
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  wherearewedude / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  wherearewedude / Atlas Obscura User
  wherearewedude / Atlas Obscura User
  wherearewedude / Atlas Obscura User
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About

There's a hospital on the Upper West Side that stands out from the dozens of others within New York City. Its patients stay in cages rather than beds. And when they've been freed, many will take to the sky rather than the streets.

The Wild Bird Fund—the only wildlife rehabilitation center in New York City—sees over 3,000 feathered and furry patients each year. Its staff treats and, when possible, re-releases each injured, sick, or orphaned critter that passes through.

Though humans dominate the concrete jungle, it’s still home to an abundance of wild animals. The city’s resident creatures, along with those who travel through on their seasonal migrations, too often find themselves in need of a helping human hand. Ailing animals lucky enough to cross paths with a kind stranger will likely wind up at the Wild Bird Fund.

The rehabilitation center hosts a menagerie of nonhuman city dwellers. Its demographic includes a wide variety of birds, ranging from pigeons to house sparrows to falcons to even the occasional owl. The center also treats non-avian animals like squirrels, opossums, and wild rabbits.

The Wild Bird Fund sees each animal free of charge. Its staff, which is largely comprised of volunteers, performs a range of procedures including radiographs, surgery, physical therapy, and feedings to help each patient heal. The staff also works to educate the public about how to coexist with the city’s nonhuman residents.

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Birds Animals Wildlife Sanctuaries Hospitals Nature

Know Before You Go

Guests are welcome to visit the reception center to learn more about the Wild Bird Fund. However, as it's a working animal hospital, behind the scene access isn't allowed.

Community Contributors

Added By

Kerry Wolfe

Edited By

cait7911, wherearewedude

  • cait7911
  • wherearewedude

Published

November 28, 2017

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Sources
  • https://www.facebook.com/wildbirdfund/
  • https://www.wired.com/2014/08/nyc-wild-bird-fund/?mbid=social_twitter#slide-id-1363891
  • http://cnnphotos.blogs.cnn.com/2013/09/15/pigeons-the-wounded-messengers/
  • https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/news/141222-wild-bird-hospital-vin?source=relatedvideo
Wild Bird Fund
565 Columbus Ave
New York, New York
United States
40.787321, -73.97132
Visit Website
Get Directions

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