Educational Programs

Educational Programs

Interested in bringing an educational program about birds to your community? Contact Help Wild Birds today to learn more. All that is needed is a projector and screen.

Screech Owls! Our Fierce Little Raptors

Learn about the life of eastern screech owls, one of our smallest but fierce owls that we often see in Virginia.  Learn how to attract them to our yard, what they eat and why they often come in to be rehabbed. Presentation includes photos of  screech owlets that were raised in captivity and possibly a live education screech owl will be available, depending on location and time of year.

Bird Rehabbing in Virginia

There are a lack of permitted bird rehabbers in Virginia. We can use more people in this field. Learn what it takes and how you can become a state and  federally permitted  bird rehabber. Learn what you can do legally to help injured or orphaned birds. Photos of baby birds and ideas for a home based set up for bird rehabbing from your home.

“Eastern Screech-Owls”

Explore the life of a Screech-Owl. They are the most frequent raptor that I rehab. Learn why they often get hit by cars and what happens to them when they do. Find out what you can do to attract them to your yard. Learn about their night life and facts about these small little owls. In 2019 it may be possible for a live Screech-Owl to be available for viewing at the program. Power point presentation, need projector and screen.

“American Robins our (UN)common bird”

Robins are probably the most recognizable bird in America. We take them for granted and most of us don’t really know that much about their life. Can you tell the difference between male and female birds or who’s who, by the unique markings on the bird’s face? This program will shed some light on how and where they go to migrate and why. You will discover how robins are altruistic birds, and the unique personality each bird has. Learn about their diet and how they seem to find earthworms so easily. This program is will let you in on some unique and surprising facts about our American Robin so even the most knowledgeable birder may learn something new. PowerPoint presentation.

“Bird Safe and Bird Friendly?”

Simple things you may not think about and easy things anyone can do to protect birds and their environment. Save money on your bird food bill and still attract birds. Create a better feeding station and prevent diseases. Learn what you can do to attract birds to nest on your property. How can you prevent window hits or cat attacks? What should you do if that happens? Is wind and solar power bird friendly? A PowerPoint presentation with props.

“Growing up Bluebird”

For Bluebird lovers! See what goes on in an Eastern Bluebird nest box with time lapse video. Learn about some of the reasons why nesting attempts are unsuccessful. Nest box monitoring tips; signs to look for when your nest box babies may be in trouble, when do you need to intervene? How do bird rehabbers take care of nestling and fledgling bluebirds that are orphaned and still keep them wild? This program presents an up close and personal life of a most beloved bird, the Eastern Bluebird. A PowerPoint and video presentation with lots of photos of bluebirds.

“Baby Bird ID”

We know the field marks for adult birds, but how can you identify that “naked” bird in a nest? Or identify a bird with just a few pin feathers? Learn a new set of field marks and see some more common bird species in a new way. Test your group’s skills with a “What baby bird is that?” quiz at the end of the program. Program is a PowerPoint presentation with lots of interaction with the audience.

“Baby Bird ID 2”

See the more uncommon species (flycatchers and others) not covered in the previous Baby Bird ID. Learn the field marks to identify that “naked” bird in a nest. Test your group’s skills with a “What baby bird is that?” quiz at the end of the program. Program is a PowerPoint presentation with lots of interaction with the audience.

“Fascinating Feathers”

All birds have feathers, but why do they come in different colors, shapes and sizes? Learn how feathers get their color. Learn which birds use feathers as “tools.” What bird has poison feathers? What bird can be its own little copper mine? Are blue feathers really blue? We will learn some unusual uses for feathers by birds. This is an in depth program about bird feathers. A PowerPoint presentation with several (legal) feather examples will be available for close inspection.

“Amazing Birds”

This program is an intimate look at unusual bird behaviors and little known facts about a few specific species of birds. Do you know which birds have teeth or a toe with a comb? Some bird species covered include Sora, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coopers Hawk, Common Nighthawk and more. PowerPoint presentation

“Beyond Birdwatching”

Ever want to know what it takes to become a permitted migratory bird rehabilitator? Maybe that is something you would like to do? Learn about the process involved to be 7 permitted to rehabilitate wild birds and why birds end up in rehab. Maureen will also discuss the rewards and pitfalls of being a State and Federally Permitted Migratory Bird Rehabilitator. A PowerPoint presentation and props.