Editor’s Note: The Painted Bunting is part of the CROW CAW (Case A Week) series, which tells the stories of the patients at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, the dangers they face, and how we can help protect all of our wildlife. Read previous cases here.
Yesterday, CROW had the privilege of releasing a jewel-colored male Painted Bunting on Captiva Island. This patient was only with us for 5 days while he recovered from a suspected window strike. Although he was stunned and unable to fly when rescued, the bunting had no wounds or broken bones and was flying again within 24 hours.
You may have heard that birds who fly away within an hour of hitting a window are okay. This advice is now outdated. Recent studies have found evidence of head trauma (like concussions) and fractures to the bones of the shoulder girdle (clavicle and coracoid) in most of these birds. These injuries can be painful and life threatening. Because of this, we recommend all birds who have flown into a window be taken to a wildlife veterinarian for assessment and treatment.
This Painted Bunting was kept in a quiet area of the hospital to rest and recover while receiving pain medications. Our experienced staff monitored his flight ability, stamina, agility, and strength for 5 days until he was ready for release.
Painted Buntings migrate to Southwest Florida during the winter and can be spotted foraging for seeds in weedy areas. Unfortunately, the multi-colored males are frequently trapped and sold illegally as pets. This practice threatens their breeding populations and damages biodiversity. Though Painted Buntings are not currently in danger of extinction, recent decades have seen declining numbers of this species due to habitat loss, warming temperatures, and the pet trade.
The French name for this bird, nonpareil, means “without equal.” If you’re like us and dream of seeing this extraordinary bird in the wild, it’s important to speak out against poaching and habitat destruction. This isn’t just a local issue–it’s a global problem that threatens countless species and the ecosystems they depend on.
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