Editor’s Note: The Yellow-billed Cuckoo is part of the CROW CAW (Case A Week) series, which tells the stories of patients at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, the dangers they face, and how we can help protect our wildlife. Read previous cases here.
Recently, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) arrived at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) with injuries caused by a window collision. CROW’s veterinary team found that the bird (patient 26-4755) could not fly and had a corneal ulcer in the right eye, a drooping left wing, and minor beak damage.
This combination of injuries is commonly seen in birds that have struck windows. CROW sees an increase in window strike cases during peak bird migration, from April to May and again from September to October.
CROW’s veterinary team provided the cuckoo with supportive care and medications to help relieve pain and inflammation. They treated the corneal ulcer with ocular medications.
Fortunately, the cuckoo responded well to treatment. The corneal ulcer resolved, and the bird is now flying well in one of CROW’s outdoor flight enclosures. The veterinary and rehabilitation teams will continue to monitor the cuckoo’s flight strength and overall condition, hoping the patient will soon be ready for release back into the wild.
Window collisions occur because birds often perceive reflections of trees or open sky in glass as part of their natural surroundings. Transparent windows can also create the illusion of an unobstructed flight path, making it difficult for birds to recognize a barrier before it is too late. During migration, when birds are traveling through unfamiliar environments, the risk of these encounters can increase.
Fortunately, homeowners can take several simple steps to make their properties safer for visiting wildlife.
One important preventive measure involves placing bird feeders. Position feeders within five feet of windows or more than 30 feet away. When feeders are placed close to windows, birds have less opportunity to build up enough speed to cause severe injuries during a collision.
Alternatively, placing feeders over 30 feet away gives birds more room to recognize and avoid potential obstacles.
Additional preventative measures include bird-safe window decals, external screens, or patterned films that help make glass more visible to birds. While window strikes are unfortunately common, small changes around our homes can make a meaningful difference in protecting native and migratory bird populations. By becoming more aware of the dangers birds face in human-altered environments, we can all help create safer spaces for wildlife.
At CROW, every patient provides an opportunity to learn more about the challenges wildlife encounters and how we can help prevent them.