What should I do if there is an injured or sick bird in my yard?
Contact Animal Services to assist you
During weekday business hours at (310) 318-0611
After hours call the Police Communications Unit at (310) 379-5411.
Animal Services office hours are
Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for your convenience.
City Hall and the Animal Services office are closed on alternate Fridays.
Please jump to http://www.redondo.org/cals/default.asp for a calendar with City Hall closures.
What should I do if I find a dead bird?
Do not pick up dead birds or any dead animal with bare hands, without using protection and precautions!
Birds may carry parasites (fleas, mites) and viruses.
If you need to pick up a dead bird
Avoid bare-handed contact with any dead animal
Use disposable gloves or double trash bags
Secure the bird in a plastic bag
Seal the bag to place the carcass in a trash can.
You may request assistance from Animal Services to assist you with the disposal of the bird if necessary.
During weekday business hours at (310) 318-0611
After hours call the Police Communications Unit at (310) 379-5411
Animal Services office hours are:
Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
City Hall and the Animal Services office are closed on alternate Fridays.
Please jump to http://www.redondo.org/cals/default.asp for a calendar with City Hall closures.
Fledglings
What should I do if there is a baby bird in front of my house and it looks like it can’t fly?
Keep people and pets away from the area.
This is most likely a fledgling, a baby bird that is fully feathered but not able to fly.
Do not put the fledgling back into its nest.
The bird is learning how to fly and forage for food.
Leave the fledgling alone so that the parents will continue to feed it.
It will take about 5 to fifteen days for the bird to fly well.
West Nile Virus and Birds
If I see multiple dead birds in an area, should I be more concerned? Should I notify anyone?
Yes.
If there are multiple dead birds in your yard or in an area, it is very important to call Animal Services and/or the Los Angeles County West Vector and Vector-Borne Disease Control District.
Multiple dead birds in a small area may indicate the outbreak of a particular bird illness.
Does it make a difference if the dead birds are crows, ravens, or jays?
Yes.
West Nile Virus infection can cause serious illness or death to corvids (crows, ravens, jays and magpies.)
If there are multiple dead birds of this type, there is a concern that the birds may be victims of West Nile Virus.
Call the Redondo Beach Animal Services Unit at (310) 318-0611 and/or call the following number promptly:
West Nile Virus Dead Bird Surveillance Program
Division of Communicable Disease Control
California Department of Health Services
(877) WNV-BIRD
The bird must be dead no more than 24 hours to enable testing for West Nile Virus.
Do not touch the bird.
The Department of Health Services will record your report and arrange for pickup and laboratory testing for the WN Virus when appropriate.
Can I or any member of my family catch West Nile from infected birds?
No.
There is no evidence that a person can get the virus from handling live or dead infected birds.
There are three known ways for humans to acquire West Nile: mosquito bites, organ transplants, and blood transfusions.
It is not spread by casual contact with infected humans or animals.
West Nile is new to North America, but it has existed in Northwest Africa for decades.
Is there anything I can I do to stop West Nile, in birds or in humans?
Nothing can be done against the virus directly, but you can help reduce its spread by controlling mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in still water, so survey your property for standing water, and get rid of any you find.
If you have a birdbath, change the water every 48 hours.
Any eggs laid in your birdbath between water changes will not have enough time to develop into adults.
You can simply pour the old water onto your lawn or garden - any mosquito larvae present will die.
Mosquitoes will not lay eggs in moving water, so you need not worry about a backyard pond with a circulating pump, a fountain, or a birdbath with a dripper.
To avoid mosquito bites, use protective clothing and an insect repellant. Follow the directions carefully and use caution when applying repellant on children.
Crows
What can I do about the influx of crows on or near my property?
Make sure that you are not feeding them unintentionally.
Crows are scavengers. They may be:
Eating your pet's food if left outdoors
Eating out of your trash can if it is not secured
Eating from a bird feeder
Do not kill crows
They are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act with certain exceptions under California law.
See also the California Code of Regulations Title 14
Consult with the Department of Fish and Game if you have questions.
Pigeons
What hazards and issues can be caused by pigeons?
Pigeons may cause the following issues:
Deteriorate buildings and other materials with their feces.
Clog drain pipes with their nests and debris.
Carry external parasites including mites, fleas, ticks and bugs that can enter your home from nest locations.
Carry other diseases of significance to humans including: psittacosis, Newcastle Disease, aspergillosis, pseudo tuberculosis, pigeon coccidiosis, toxoplasmosis, encephalitis.
Carry Salmonella typhimurium.
Carry Cryptococusis and Histoplasmosis which are systemic fungal diseases that can be contracted from dy pigeon feces.
Displace native birds.
How may I minimize the effect of these pigeon hazards?
Do not feed the pigeons.
Why should I and others not feed pigeons?
Feeding the pigeons:
Makes them dependent on humans for their food source.
Makes them susceptible to disease because they do not receive the natural nutrients that they need.
Encourages pigeon populations to increase.
Are pigeons protected?
Feral pigeons are not protected by State or Federal statute.
Band-tailed pigeons are classified as a migratory game bird, and you must obtain a permit from the California Department of Fish and Game before controlling them.
It is a misdemeanor crime to kill Antwerp or homing pigeon domestic birds.
For more detailed information, see the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures websites on pigeon control at:
