Category: Conservation

A Lethal Meal

Barn Owl holding a dead mouse in its beak.

Secondary Rodenticide Poisoning in Raptors

Shows a plastic container of second generation rodenticide.

It is a quick fix many homeowners use when facing a rodent problem: setting out a few bait stations filled with tasty poison. What most don’t realize is that these poisons do not work instantly. The target mouse or rat may live for days after consuming the bait, becoming slow, disoriented, and a temptingly easy target for a hungry hawk or owl. The result is a tragic effect known as secondary poisoning, where our natural, feathered pest controllers become the unwitting victims.

How do Anticoagulant Rodenticides Work?

Anticoagulant rodenticides operate by inhibiting an enzyme that regenerates vitamin K. Vitamin K is necessary for the production and activation of several clotting factors. Therefore, when vitamin K is inhibited, we see issues with blood clotting. In high enough doses, the poisoned animal ultimately suffers an unpleasant death from severe internal bleeding. However, this process is not immediate; rodents can survive for days after ingesting a lethal dose. During this prolonged decline, intoxicated rodents often behave erratically, staggering, in a lethargic state, and spending more time in open areas rather than seeking cover. This behavior makes them easy prey for hunting raptors.

There are first- and second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides. The older first-generation rodenticides have a lower potency and require multiple feedings. The danger is significantly magnified by second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs), which are highly potent and metabolize very slowly. Because SGARs can persist in a rodent’s liver and other tissues for over six months, predators that eat multiple poisoned rodents can more easily accumulate fatal doses in their own bodies.

Signs We See in Our Raptor Patients

These predatory birds with anticoagulant toxicity often present with pale mucous membranes and anemia. They are typically weak or lethargic, sometimes exhibiting difficulty breathing and visible discomfort. A major clue that we could be dealing with an anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning is subcutaneous ecchymoses, which is bruising or pooling of blood just beneath the skin. Because their blood cannot clot, these birds may also bleed profusely from even the most minor, superficial wounds.

How We Treat It

Brown bottle of Vitamin K1

The foundation of treatment for any bird we suspect to have anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning is replacing the depleted vitamin K by administering Vitamin K1. This is initially given via injection until the bird is stabilized and then can be given orally daily for at least three weeks. A blood transfusion is also warranted for birds that are severely anemic, which will help replace both the red blood cells and clotting factors that have been lost. Other treatments include rest, oxygen support if there is difficulty breathing, and nutritional support to give these patients the best possible chance of eventually returning to the wild.

Better Pest Control Alternatives

To protect our local wildlife, those looking to rid their property of rodents should pivot toward more sustainable and ethical pest management strategies. The most effective first steps involve preventing infestations entirely by securing food sources and sealing entry points around the home, combined with monitoring for early signs of rodent activity. When active control is needed, catch-and-release traps offer an ethical solution that completely avoids introducing toxins into the food web. These traps should be checked often to ensure that animals caught in them do not starve or dehydrate. Consumers should, however, avoid using glue traps, which cause prolonged and unnecessary suffering for the captured animal.

If chemical intervention becomes absolutely necessary, opting for first-generation rodenticides (such as warfarin) is a safer chemical choice than second-generation poisons. First-generation formulas break down faster in the body and pose a significantly lower risk of secondary poisoning to raptors. By making informed choices, we can effectively and ethically manage household pests without inadvertently poisoning the wildlife that naturally keeps their populations in check.

Written By: Kayla K., Class of 2027

White-Nose Syndrome in Bats

Bat in gloved hand of a licensed rehabilitator in Texas.

Bats of Illinois

Illinois is home to a confirmed 13 different bat species who are all insectivores. Despite their feared reputation for carrying diseases such as rabies and feeding on blood, these bats are crucial ecologically and economically as they provide natural pest control, reducing insect pests for crops and saving farmers billions in pesticide costs. With insects in Illinois not being available year-round, different bat species must either hibernate or migrate to survive the winter. Bats that tend to hibernate in cooler areas, such as caves or abandoned mines, over the past decade have had their populations across North America decimated. Some common species in Illinois that are cool-cave hibernators are tri-colored bats, little brown bat, Indiana bat, and the northern long-eared bat which are now all endangered. The primary culprit of this phenomenon being White-Nose Syndrome. Other species that hibernate in warmer areas or have migratory patterns have been more resilient to white-nose syndrome.  

White-Nose Syndrome

In February 2006, a cave explorer in upstate New York discovered numerous bats coated with a white fungus. Researchers then launched an extensive investigation from Vermont to Virginia in the Winter of 2006-07 while they were hibernating to determine the extent of this previously unknown phenomenon. What they discovered was a fungus that was decimating entire bat populations, with mortality rates above 90%. Now close to two decades later it has spread to over 40 states and killing millions of bats. First spotted in Illinois in 2013, Pseudogymnoascus destructans is a fungus that thrives in cold and damp places that some bat species like to hibernate/congregate. It prefers to grow in temperature ranges of 39-59 Fahrenheit and will not grow above 68 Fahrenheit. As the fungus is not an airborne pathogen, the fungus is primarily spread from bat-to-bat contact. Due to this, bat colonies become rapidly infected during hibernation when they shut off their metabolism to save energy and are in close contact with each other.

Symptoms of White-Nose Syndrome

Bat with white muzzle indicating signs of white nose syndrome

Once infected, researchers have noted that the fungal infection causes hibernating bats to rouse, or awake from a state of torpor. Each time they rouse it causes them to use up their saved winter stores. Overtime, if the fungus causes the bat to rouse too often, it causes abnormal behavioral changes such as flying during the winter to try and feed instead of hibernating. Finding dead or dying bats on the ground in the winter is a strong indicator of white-nose syndrome. Other characteristic symptoms are the white growth of the fungus on the bats’ wings and muzzles.

Bats of all ages are susceptible to White-Nose syndrome and once infected there is currently no known effective treatment or cure. Researchers are currently developing an effective vaccine to protect colonies, UV-C light treated caves, probiotics to improve natural skin microbiome to slow fungal growth, use of volatile organic compounds (B-23), and temperature regulation are some preventative therapies being researched.

How to stop the spread of White-Nose Syndrome

Although the exact known cause of the spread of white-nose syndrome to North America is unknown, it is well hypothesized that human activity contributed to its spread from Europe. The fungus is naturally present in Europe and many of the bat species are well adapted as the mortality rates in Eurasian bat species are significantly lower. Additionally, bats are the only species known to date that can contract an infection from P. destructans and humans are unable to be infected. Due to this, researchers believe humans carry the fungus from cave to cave allowing a more rapid spread. Research has shown that the fungus can survive on clothing and surfaces for many years depending on conditions and advise anyone visiting a cave or mine to decontaminate afterwards. It is also recommended we do not wear similar equipment or clothing when visiting a different location with bats. Although bats that typically hibernate to survive the winter are mostly affected, it is important to remember that bats that migrate or hibernate in warmer conditions can also get infected or become carriers to spread the disease.

Written By: David K.

Works Cited

“Fighting White-Nose Syndrome in BATS Benefits Agriculture, Study Shows.” ACES Research News, CSU Press Release, 13 May 2022, https://aces.illinois.edu/news/fighting-white-nose-syndrome-bats-benefits-agriculture-study-shows.

Matteson, Mollie. “Devastating Bat-Killing Disease Reaches Illinois.” Center for Biological Diversity , 28 Feb. 2013, www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2013/white-nose-syndrome-02-28-2013.html.

“Nature Curiosity: What Is White-Nose Syndrome? | Forest Preserve District of Will County.” Forest Preserve District Will County , Reconnect with Nature , 4 Nov. 2024, www.reconnectwithnature.org/news-events/the-buzz/nature-curiosity-what-is-white-nose-syndrome/.

Vachula, Laura. “Preventing and Treating White-Nose Syndrome: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.” FWS.Gov, Wildlife Management, 28 Mar. 2023, www.fws.gov/story/preventing-and-treating-white-nose-syndrome.

“White-Nose Syndrome Faqs (U.S. National Park Service).” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 5 Nov. 2024, www.nps.gov/articles/white-nose-syndrome-faqs.htm.

“Wild about Illinois Bats!” Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Aug. 2019, https://dnr.illinois.gov/education/wildaboutpages/wildaboutwildmammals/wildaboutmammalsbats.html.

Invasive Species in Beautiful, Diverse Places

A gold dust day gecko resting upon a leaf.

Have you ever spotted an adorable animal wandering about and wondered where it came from, or what impact it might have on its surroundings? While many of these creatures appear harmless, some end up in environments where they don’t naturally belong. When this happens, they are called invasive species, often an uninvited guest that disrupts local ecosystems and threatens native wildlife.

Invasive species are animals that are not native to a specific location and can cause serious harm to the environment, economy, and native wildlife. These species are often introduced, sometimes intentionally, in an attempt to solve another problem, and other times accidentally, through travel, trade, or the pet industry.

I’m here to share a few invasive species that I’ve come across while living in one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, Hawai‘i! Most people recognize the islands for their incredible natural beauty, lush landscapes, and diverse wildlife. Hawai‘i is home to over 25,000 unique species, and about 90% of its land animals and plants and more than a quarter of its marine life are found nowhere else in the world. This makes Hawai‘i’s ecosystems incredibly special, but also extremely fragile.

Because so many of these species evolved in isolation, they have no natural defense against new predators or competitors. When invasive species arrive, they often outcompete native animals for food and space, spread disease, or directly prey on species that have no way to protect themselves. Even a small change, like introducing one new predator or competitor, can throw off the delicate balance that has existed on the islands for thousands of years. That’s why understanding invasive species is so important, especially in a place as unique and vulnerable as Hawai‘i. Protecting these ecosystems helps ensure that the islands’ native plants and animals can continue to thrive for generations to come.

Trouble in Paradise: The Mongoose, Day Gecko, and Feral Pigs

Mongoose

A mongoose resting on top of a fallen branch amidst ground foliage.

A mongoose is a small terrestrial mammal from the Herpestidae family that looks similar to a weasel or ferret. They have a carnivorous diet and are famous for their resistance to snake venom and their ability to kill venomous snakes. The mongoose was introduced to Hawai‘i in an attempt to control the rat population, which was wreaking havoc on sugarcane fields. Since mongooses prey on rats, it seemed like a simple solution. However, this plan backfired because rats are nocturnal, meaning they’re active at night, while mongooses are diurnal or active during the day. As a result, mongooses couldn’t effectively reduce the rat population, since the rats were never awake during the mongoose’s active hours. Instead, mongooses turned to preying on Hawai‘i’s native species, disrupting local ecosystems. Their presence caused the populations of several native species to decline dramatically, so much so that special fencing had to be installed around nature reserves and sanctuaries to keep mongoose out and protect vulnerable wildlife.

Gecko

The gold dust day gecko and giant day gecko are two more invasive species affecting Hawai‘i’s native wildlife. These brightly colored lizards may look beautiful, but their introduction has made competition for food and territory much more difficult for native species. The geckos were first brought to the islands unintentionally by early Polynesian settlers, likely stowing away on voyaging canoes. More recently, they have been introduced through the pet trade, either by accidental escape or intentional release. A significant modern population of gold dust day geckos can actually be traced back to a University of Hawai‘i student, who released eight geckos in 1974. Since then, their numbers have spread rapidly across the islands. These invasive geckos compete with native insects and smaller lizards for food, and they can outcompete or displace native species due to their adaptability and fast reproduction. Their growing presence continues to challenge Hawai‘i’s delicate ecosystems, where even small changes can have lasting impacts.

Feral Pigs

Feral pigs are another major invasive species in Hawai‘i. Originally brought to the islands by Polynesian settlers and later by European explorers, these pigs have become one of the most destructive animals in the islands’ ecosystems. Their rooting and digging behavior uproots native plants, damages crops, and creates large muddy wallows that contribute to soil erosion and flooding. They also disturb the natural habitats of native animals by destroying nests and burrows. Feral pigs will even go after ground-nesting birds, pushing them out of their homes and eating their eggs. Even worse, their wallowing pools create perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes that spread avian malaria, a deadly disease for Hawai‘i’s native forest birds. Because of their size and adaptability, controlling feral pig populations is extremely difficult, and their impact continues to threaten forests, watersheds, and native wildlife.

Preventing the Spread of Invasive Species

Moving animals, whether intentionally or accidentally, is one of the main ways invasive species spread. It’s important to be cautious when transporting any living creature between regions or countries, as this can introduce species to new environments where they have no natural predators or competitors to keep their populations in check which can disrupt entire ecosystems and native species.

What might seem harmless, such as releasing a pet into the wild, can actually cause serious harm not only to the pet but to the environment. Even seemingly harmless animals can disrupt ecosystems or outcompete native wildlife. The best way to help is to always rehome pets responsibly instead of releasing them.

When hiking or traveling, respect local wildlife regulations and avoid feeding or disturbing wild animals. These small actions help maintain balance within ecosystems and protect native species from being displaced by newcomers.

Education also plays a huge role. The more people understand local ecosystems and invasive species, the better equipped we all are to prevent their spread. Sharing what you learn with friends, family, and your community can make a lasting difference in protecting native wildlife, whether in Hawai‘i or anywhere else in the world.

While it might seem like the challenges of invasive species are far away in tropical Hawai‘i, this issue affects every corner of the world, including right here in Illinois. Feral pigs aren’t just a problem in Hawai‘i; they’re an issue here in Illinois too. Every region around the world faces its own challenges with invasive species, and their presence can cause significant changes to the environment. Whether you live on an island or in the Midwest, being aware of how species travel and spread helps protect the natural places we all love. Simple choices, like cleaning your hiking boots, not releasing pets into the wild, and supporting local conservation efforts, can make a real difference. By learning from places like Hawai‘i, we can take steps to protect Illinois’ own beautiful and diverse environments for future generations.

Written by: Gabriella N., Class of 2028

Turtles, Bunnies, and Cats, Oh My!

A painted turtle in the water, holding onto a rock with head above the water.

Why is it so important to keep our domestic animals inside and on a leash?

While pets love to have outside time and their pet owners love it too, it is important to be aware of your pet’s activities and supervise their time outdoors. They may come across wildlife that will not be as keen to meet them as they are to meet the wildlife! At the University of Illinois Wildlife Medical Clinic, we get many cases of cats and dogs interacting with wildlife that require our medical management. It is important to note that this can be risky both for our native wildlife and for our pets as well. The best way to limit interaction is to keep cats indoors or in a catio and walk dogs on a leash, even in the backyard.

What do we see most often at the clinic?

Throughout the year, we see Eastern Cottontail rabbits present to the clinic for different severities of wounds, including lacerations and broken bones often from being attacked by feral or outdoor domestic cats as well as domestic dogs. Treating patients who have been bitten or scratched by a cat can be challenging, and they must receive antibiotics promptly because cats harbor a bacterium called Pasteurella multocida. This specific bacterium can cause severe inflammation, redness, and even septicemia if it infects the bloodstream in rabbits, as well as our other mammalian and avian patients.

Painted Turtle x-ray

Along with rabbits, we also receive cases of turtles that sustain shell fractures when they are picked up by dogs. An example of this is Painted Turtle 25-966, who has been in our care since early June 2025, presenting to the clinic for several carapacial puncture wounds and shell fractures. The carapace is the upper portion of a turtle’s shell. After the initial intake exam, this patient was given the appropriate pain medication, antibiotics, and wound treatment. 25-996 will continue to heal in our care over winter, as it can take several months for these types of shell injuries to mend! He has been healing well, and the veterinary staff have seen positive improvements in his shell in the few months he has been with us.

How does all of this affect my pet?

While the Wildlife Medical Clinic does not treat domestic animals like our small animal medicine
colleagues do, we think it’s important to share how your furry family members can be adversely affected by wildlife interactions.

One type of infection that companion animals can pick up from wildlife is Salmonella. When dogs pick turtles up in their mouths, whether or not they think they look like their tennis ball or not, they can be susceptible to contracting an infection. Symptoms from this type of infection can include, but are not limited to, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and lethargy.

Tularemia can also be a concern for outdoor cats and dogs that interact with wild rabbits in Illinois. This can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected rabbit or their body fluids, infected water sources, or blood sucking insects like ticks. Tularemia is a highly zoonotic disease (meaning it can spread between species and, in this case, to humans as well) and can cause symptoms such as fever, lethargy, poor appetite, enlarged lymph nodes, and abscesses. In humans, Tularemia can also present as ulcerating blisters that can spread the bacteria throughout the bloodstream.

What about birds? With the cooler season approaching, it is important to be aware of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or HPAI. While the name suggests, birds are the main susceptible species, cases have been seen in both cats and dogs, as well as people. One of the best ways to prevent your pets from contracting this influenza strain is by keeping pets indoors. Many cats and dogs outside may be attracted to birds, diseased or alive, or bird feces left behind, which can lead to the transmission of HPAI if touched or consumed. The main type of bird affected is waterfowl, but HPAI can be seen in any bird, including raptors and songbirds. Clinical signs in dogs and cats can consist of fever, lethargy, watery eyes, runny nose, difficulty breathing, and seizures.

If your pet interacts with any wildlife or is presenting with any symptoms, it is important to consult your primary veterinarian.

Helpful Links

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/tularemia-in-dogs

https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/avian-influenza/avian-influenza-companion-animals

Written by: Emily B., Class of 2028

White Nose Syndrome in Native Bats

Two rehabilitation bat patients resting on a gloved hand. One is looking forward and one is yawning.

Bats – Those that get a bad rap are under attack 

Bats are agile winged mammals that use echolocation to navigate at night as well as to hunt for prey. Bats usually live in caves in large colonies and vary in size and diet depending on the species. In recent years, bats have been under fire for being the source for several zoonotic diseases that can and have caused thousands of deaths in populations of other species. However, bats are an extremely important part within the ecosystem’s food web by clearing invasive and an overwhelming number of insects every night. For a place like Illinois, which thrives in the agricultural field, bats are a huge reason for healthy crop yields. Specifically in Illinois, there are five species of interest that are close to extinction due to the devastating effects of White Nose Syndrome (WNS). These species include the Little Brown Bat (myotis lucifugus), Indiana Bat (myotis sodalis), Gray Bat (myotis grisescens), Eastern Small-Footed Bat (Myotis leibii), and the Tricolored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus).

White Nose Syndrome

White Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a devastatingly infectious fungal disease stemming from the causative fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). It is a disease that mostly affects hibernating bats, and it spreads rapidly from bat to bat. Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) infects the skin on the ears, wings, and muzzle. This fungus erodes deep into the skin and disrupts the hibernation process of the bats causing physical and mental damage as they fight the infection while disrupted from their normal physiological sleeping cycles. Scientists found that the fungus is documented in the soil surrounding the caves providing easy access to the sleeping bats as well as their skin microbiome being a comparable community like the normal settling surface of P. destructans. Humans may also be potential carriers of P. destructans when they travel to national parks and caves, thus increasing the rate of infection.

WNS was first discovered in New York in the winter of 2006-2007. This disease has been devastating to many different bat species across North America, as the rise in total deaths caused by WNS has hit six million. In each bat population affected by WNS, it usually causes devastating effects of wiping out 90-100% of bat colonies. One of the main reasons that bat species have had debilitating effects from WNS is their low reproduction rate, as most bats usually have only one pup per year. Thus, if a bat population is almost completely wiped out from a WNS outbreak, it is difficult to recover the colony back to appropriate and healthy numbers.

How to Prevent the Spread and What are the Treatments

Two rehabilitation bat patients sitting on a gloved hand.

 As this disease is devastating many species across North America, the U.S. Government has been monitoring bat colonies to prevent continual spread and to help recover the already affected populations. The National Park Service has personnel monitoring bat populations, educating visitors about WNS and overall protecting their habitats. Decontamination processes, such as properly cleaning shoes and gear, are recommended as forms of prevention of further fungal spread as humans can be vehicles of transmission when entering multiple caves or mines.  As for treatment, scientists have produced a vaccine that uses a modified raccoon pox virus to express and attack fungal antigens as a protective measure. This is an oral vaccine that is given to bats in the fall or summer before hibernation processes begin. Scientists have noted that it takes about 3 years before the vaccine provides ample immunity in a colony; however, Idaho noticed a spread in 2021, after giving the vaccine the same year, they noticed in 2024 that they have no mortality in a specific cave bat colony. Since this vaccine is oral and requires human handling and capture, scientists are working on making aerosol sprays or larger scale vaccines and preventative treatments to minimize stress, human contact, and handling. While these diseases and animals can be scary to come into close contact with, if noticed while hiking or caving, it is important to identify the disease and report it to the proper local and federal authorities to better manage the spread of disease and limit devastating effects. 

Written by: Madison D., Class of 2028

Works Cited

Fighting white-nose syndrome in bats benefits agriculture, study shows | College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences | UIUC. (2022). Illinois.edu. https://aces.illinois.edu/news/fighting-white-nose-syndrome-bats-benefits-agriculture-study-shows

Powers, L., & Francis, B. (n.d.). Effects of white-nose syndrome on reproduction and survival in Illinois cave-hibernating bat species. Retrieved October 13, 2025, from https://dnr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dnr/grants/documents/wpfgrantreports/20 14l16w.pdf 

Project T-78-R1. (2023). Illinois.gov. https://dnr.illinois.gov/conservation/iwap/white-nosesyndrome-and-il-bats.html

What species of bats are affected by White-nose Syndrome? | U.S. Geological Survey. (n.d.). Www.usgs.gov. https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-species-bats-are-affected-whitenose-syndrome  White-nose Syndrome FAQs (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). Www.nps.gov. https://www.nps.gov/articles/white-nose-syndrome-faqs.html

White-Nose Syndrome in North American Bats. (2025). USGS. https://www.usgs.gov/tools/white-nose-syndrome-north-american-bats

Will the killer White Nose Syndrome infect bats in Illinois? – News Bureau. (2025). Illinois.edu. https://news.illinois.edu/will-the-killer-white-nose-syndrome-infect-bats-in-illinois/

Wilson, D. (2020). bat | Description, Habitat, Diet, Classification, & Facts | Britannica. In Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/animal/bat-mammal

Vachula, L. (2024). Preventing and treating white-nose syndrome | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. www.fws.gov. https://www.fws.gov/story/preventing-and-treating-white-nosesyndrome

Notes from the Nest

Nestling cedar waxwing in an artificial nest with mouth open begging for food.

We’ve all heard those sweet trills of our avian friends perched atop branches. They beckon our attention, but beyond the birds exhibiting their vast vocal range for every passing audience, have you ever stopped to consider what that song means? Or how birds come to perform their tunes so perfectly?

Who is doing the singing?

Birdsong is a feature unique to certain Passeriformes, which is the largest evolutionary order, encompassing >50% of bird species worldwide. Passeriformes are everywhere‒robins, sparrows, blue jays, and warblers, to name a few, can be seen throughout Illinois. Songs are often unique to each species, allowing them to communicate with conspecifics when looking for a mate and ward off other birds encroaching on their territory. These are importantly distinct from calls, which are short bursts of vocalization that are produced when a bird is threatened or in flight. A song is a prolonged, complicated arrangement of syllables and phrases, much like a theatrical monologue.

A commonly held misconception is that only males sing. This may be because, for a long time, male songbirds have dominated much of the academic literature investigating the mechanisms of learning and producing birdsong; however, females too sing in roughly 70% of songbird species, and it’s thought that they do so for much the same reason as males‒they communicate with mates and defend their territory. The evolutionary underpinnings that have led to existing dimorphisms are an area of active research. Recent studies have shown that females of migratory species are less likely to vocalize compared to stationary species, and there may be a correlation between biparental care and likelihood of the female to sing. Why this may be the case is still being investigated.

How does a bird learn their song?

Adult Cedar Waxwing perched on a branch in a small wire avian enclosure.

When a bird hatches, it has a brief window of time when their song must be learned and perfected, otherwise the song will never develop. This period of time is known as a “critical period”. In this regard, birdsong has remarkable parallels to the development of human speech. Humans similarly possess a critical window of time when speech must be acquired, otherwise cadence and enunciation is difficult to attain, which is also true in our songbirds.

Hatchling birds are amazing sponges of songs. First, a young bird must hear their species-specific song from an adult who acts as a tutor. This sensory phase allows the juvenile to commit their tutor’s song to memory. Then, during the sensorimotor phase, the juvenile practices their newly learned song.  In the earliest phases, birds even perform their own version of babbling, producing quiet and generic notes as they test out their voice. Then, as they begin to practice their tutor’s song, each repetition evolves, allowing the song to become closer in tone and cadence to that of their tutor. Once the song is perfected, the bird’s song is committed to memory. Now, the bird has their crystalized song ready to sing whenever needed! Listen to those amazing feats of biology on your next stroll!

Resources-

https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/the-development-of-birdsong-16133266

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5066577

https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn1904

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-60810-5

https://abcbirds.org/birdsong

Written By: Maddie R., Class of 2028

 The Great Migration (of Birds)

Juvenile Merlin (bird) in a hospital enclosure.

Bird Migration

Every fall and spring hundreds of bird species take to the skies to travel between their winter and summer homes. In the United States, most regions become too cool and mainly offer too little food for these birds to survive the winter, thus forcing these birds to migrate to more southern areas to fulfill those needs. The same trip is then taken northward in the spring when the southern hemisphere goes through the same process of transitioning to their own version of winter. The fall migration of birds has already begun, typically starting in early August and continuing until late November.

Challenges Faced During Migration

Birds travel great distances during their migration, and because of this, often interact with more than one human development. These structures, populations, etc. can interfere with their success rate at making it to their destination safely. Some main causes for concern, conservation-wise, are listed below:

  • Urban and suburban development –
    • This reduces the space birds have to find food, rest, etc.
  • Agriculture –
    • This limits feasible habitat and increases chances of pesticide related mortality
  • Oil and gas production and wind turbines –
    • This increases risk of collision with machinery and exposure to toxic materials
  • Ground water depletion –
    • This causes a decline in drinkable water
  • Light pollution –
    • This causes disorientation to nocturnal migratory birds
  • Climate change –
    • Drought, flooding, etc. impact the availability of resources to these birds

How can you help?

Knowing how much humans can impact these birds’ success at reaching their destination, it is normal to wonder what one can do to help these birds. A simple way of helping migratory birds, especially those that do so nocturnally, is to turn off the lights at your home at night. It may not seem like much, especially if you live in a big city, but any little bit helps. Additionally, you can place up visual deterrents in your windows, such as stickers, larger pieces of paper, etc. These deterrents help show the birds that the window is not a space they can fly through. One of the easiest ways to help these birds is to share your and expert’s knowledge on migratory birds and their special requirements as they make their long journey.

Want to Learn More?

If you want to learn more, feel free to check out these helpful websites and articles that share information about birds and their migration in an easy to understand way:

Works Cited

“Conservation Challenges: Bird Migration Explorer.” Conservation Challenges | Bird Migration Explorer, Audubon, explorer.audubon.org/explore/conservation-challenges/1141/drought?sidebar=expand&category=climate-change&zoom=2&x=-417753.2037000004&y=38544.25185000431. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Horton, Kyle G., et al. “Artificial Light at Night Is a Top Predictor of Bird Migration Stopover Density.” Nature Communications, vol. 14, no. 1, 7446, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43046-z. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Rappole, John H. Bird Migration: A New Understanding. 1st ed., Johns Hopkins University Press, 2022. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Written By: Christie S., Class of 2028

Wildlife Medical Clinic
John A. Coyne South Clinic
2100 South Goodwin Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
217-244-1195
College of Veterinary Medicine