As birds navigate a changing world, there’s a greater chance you could encounter a bird in distress. Bringing that bird to safety is not always straightforward, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the online resources that sometimes have conflicting information.
Thanks to International Bird Rescue’s Bird Helpline , expert guidance is available to help determine the best course of action. Whether it’s an injured bird or a lost chick, the right steps can make all the difference in ensuring its best chance of survival. Last year, the Bird Helpline answered 3,860 inquiries from people seeking help for birds – including a surge of calls during the 2024 Brown Pelican Crisis, when hundreds of starving and injured birds needed rescue. If you ever find a bird in distress, call the Bird Helpline at 866-SOS-BIRD (866-767-2473) for assistance.
One of the dedicated voices behind the Bird Helpline is volunteer Coleman Gross, who offers guidance from Bird Rescue’s San Francisco Bay-Delta Wildlife Center. Coming up on his two-year anniversary as a volunteer in March, Coleman brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to every call. With an extensive medical background as an endocrinologist, he guides callers through often stressful and emotional situations, ensuring they feel supported while taking the right steps to help a bird in need.
Here’s a closer look at Coleman’s journey as a volunteer and his role in guiding callers through critical moments.
Question: What inspired you to want to volunteer for the Bird Helpline?
Answer: I had long wanted to start birding but didn’t have the time until I became semi-retired and the Covid pandemic hit. I got really into birding, going in the field frequently and reading about birds. Waterbirds became a passion, maybe because they were easier to study in the wild than passerines, but I was also fascinated by their behavior. I recall sighting a Black-crowned Night Heron for the first time without really understanding what it was and feeling a sense of awe that such a bird existed a few miles from home.
At some point, I wanted to be more involved directly with birds rather than only observing them in the wild. Bird Rescue’s mission struck a chord with me given my background in medicine and I chose to volunteer. Working in the clinic was rewarding and at some point, help was needed with the Bird Helpline. I figured I would give it a go as I always felt comfortable helping people who need advice and assistance with crises.
Q: Could you describe a memorable call you’ve handled?
A: One recent call was about a Common Murre that was found at Crowne State Beach in Alameda, CA, by a local birder. This is an unusual area to see a murre and being on the beach is even more unusual. Given the description of the bird, it was clearly a murre, and its behavior of going in and out of the water suggested it might have been oiled. A photo sent by the caller suggested oiling was a possibility. It was being harassed by gulls and so it probably didn’t have long.
I provided instructions to the caller on how to safely capture the bird (including bird flu precautions). Unfortunately, the bird would go to the water and swim away whenever capture was attempted. I called the local ranger office, and they had already heard about the bird. With some help from others at the beach, the caller was able to capture the bird which was not an easy feat given the open location.
Late in the day, the murre made it to Bird Rescue for intake. The bird wasn’t oiled but had some other substance on it. The whole process took several hours and a lot of back-and-forth calling, but it all came together to get the bird to Bird Rescue for rehab. The murre is being prepared for release as I am writing this.
Q: What is the most challenging part of assisting callers, and how do you navigate those situations?
A: Each call that comes in presents its own unique set of challenges. Everyone who calls brings their personality and feelings about birds to the calls. Identifying the bird in question can be difficult without a photo, dealing with different personalities of callers, managing expectations, and navigating resources (or lack thereof) for referrals when needed can be issues. Flexibility and patience with callers as well as reassurance goes a long way to helping people.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about helping callers who’ve found birds in distress?
A: It’s gratifying to assist others who care about birds. I really enjoy empowering others to help birds in need and educate them about birds. Most people are grateful for the help and feel reassured when they have information about how to assist a bird in need.
Did this story inspire you to want to get involved? We are currently seeking volunteers for a variety of opportunities that will make a difference for waterbirds in need. Learn more information about our program, and submit an application on our volunteer page.