Cardinal Rule #1: Don�t Get Bit (Too Late for That)

Wildlife rescue has its fair share of dangerous encounters. Some people wrestle alligators, some deal with feisty raccoons� and then there�s our volunteer, who nearly lost a finger to a 1-ounce songbird.

It all started with a stunning female Northern Cardinal who found herself in trouble. She was down on the ground, dazed, unable to fly�most likely the victim of a window strike (because, as it turns out, cardinals are not great at telling the difference between the open sky and a freshly cleaned sliding door). Our volunteer did what we always do�moved in to help.

But there�s one thing you should know about cardinals: they are absolute savages.

This bird might�ve been injured, but that did not stop her from delivering a bite with the strength of a tiny, furious vice grip. If you�ve never had the pleasure of being bitten by a cardinal, imagine getting your finger stuck in a nutcracker�one with a bad attitude and a personal vendetta against you. And once they latch on? They don�t let go.

(Yes, our volunteer is fine. No, she will never trust a cardinal again.)

Once the very one-sided fight was over, we were able to properly assess our little red menace. Thankfully, she avoided any fractures, but she does have signs of head trauma, meaning she needs a little TLC before she�s ready to go back to the wild. She�s currently resting (plotting revenge, probably) and getting plenty of food, water, and safe space to recover.

Want to help prevent more cardinals from launching sneak attacks on their rescuers? Here�s how:

? Prevent Window Strikes � Bird-safe window decals, screens, or even a good layer of dirt on your glass (we won�t judge) can stop birds from flying straight into them. [More info here.]

? Beware the Bitey Ones � Seriously, if you ever handle a cardinal, just assume it�s going to try and take a chunk out of you. You�ve been warned.

? Give Them Good Hiding Spots � Cardinals love thick shrubs like elderberry, holly, and dogwood. Planting native greenery helps them stay safe and happy. [Find native plants here.]

? Keep Cats Indoors or in Catios � A single outdoor cat can wipe out a shocking number of songbirds. Keeping them safely contained protects both your cat and the local wildlife. [Learn more about cat-friendly options here.]

? Know Your Local Wildlife Rehabbers � If you find an injured bird, knowing who to call can save precious time. [Find a rehabber here.]

Our fiery little warrior will go to Broadbent Wildlife until she�s back to full strength (and maybe less homicidal), at which point she�ll be released back into the wild, where she can go bite someone else.

Stay tuned for updates�and send thoughts and prayers to our volunteer�s finger.

#RFPSInc #BroadbentWildlife #ReelTimeAnimalRescue #BewareTheBite #CardinalsAreSavage #WildlifeRescue