What happens when you cover feathers in mustard? A whole lot of messy fun – and a valuable lesson in bird rehabilitation! At International Bird Rescue’s feather wash class, kids get hands-on experience learning how real wildlife rehabilitators clean contaminated birds using Dawn dish soap. Through laughter, learning, and lots of bubbles, students discover how even the messiest feathers can be restored, just like the birds in our care!
Led by our knowledgeable volunteers, this feather-washing lesson takes place in a dedicated classroom at our Los Angeles Wildlife Center. The interactive presentation covers different types of feathers, the various ways birds use them, and the importance of waterproof feathers for aquatic birds.
During the presentation, feathers are passed around so students can experience how the feather barbs “zip up” when pressed together. This simulates the preening process, a vital grooming behavior in birds where they use their beaks to align and smooth their feathers. Just like zipping a jacket, the barbs of the feather interlock to create a protective surface.
Next, it’s time to get hands-on! Mustard, meant to mimic oil, is then applied to the feathers, contaminating their smooth structure and waterproofing. Real petroleum products can cause eyes to water and skin to burn, and the tangy scent of mustard filling your nostrils evokes a similar, yet significantly milder experience without the harmful effects.
Students then take turns washing the “oil” off each feather, first by washing it clean in the tub with Dawn dish soap, then rinsing it in the plain water tub to remove any remaining “oil” and soap. By the end of the class, students not only have a blast getting their hands soapy, but they also walk away with a deeper understanding of the important work we do at Bird Rescue.
Reaching Diverse Groups
Students from various programs also benefit from our feather wash lesson. Point Fermin Outdoor Education Center, part of Los Angeles Unified School District’s Beyond the Bell program, has outdoor opportunities focused on engaging students in the natural world, and Bird Rescue is a frequent classroom stop for these groups of students. Some of these kids live far from the coast and have fewer opportunities to engage in outdoor activities, so we are glad to share our knowledge about birds with the next generation.
Additionally, we’ve proudly introduced the fascinating world of birds to participants in Mychal’s Learning Place, which offers a Path to Independence program, which helps young adults with developmental disabilities build essential life skills for greater independence.
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Empowering Students to Give Back
Rolling Hills Country Day School, a charter school in Rancho Palos Verdes, recently participated in our hands-on feather wash class, giving elementary students, who are in their bird-focused unit in school, an opportunity to learn even more about birds and the work we do to help our native waterbird species.
As part of an assignment students were instructed to work around their homes and communities to earn $5 each to donate to our rehabilitation efforts at Bird Rescue, a wonderful and simple way for young folks to be able to contribute. Each donation came with a card filled out by students, describing the tasks they completed – ranging from cleaning their bedrooms and walking pets to taking out the trash and helping with laundry at home. Not only did parents get to appreciate some extra chores being done, but students got to feel a sense of stewardship and pride knowing the work they did helps the birds in care at Bird Rescue. In total, they donated a generous $245!
Help Us Educate the Next Generation of Wildlife Heroes
Bird Rescue takes pride in sharing knowledge and a sense of stewardship for birds in a changing world. To inquire about a feather wash class opportunity for your group, please email education@birdrescue.org.
We’re looking for instructors who enjoy teaching and care about wildlife. If you’re passionate about making a difference and inspiring the next generation of wildlife heroes, we’d love for you to volunteer. To get involved, sign up on our website.