5 Shocking Ways The Bird Center Of Michigan Saves Over 2,000 Songbirds Annually

The Bird Center of Michigan (BCM) stands as a critical lifeline for one of the state's most vulnerable populations: its songbirds. As of December 15, 2025, this 501(c)3 non-profit organization continues its vital, year-round operation, specializing exclusively in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of small, native avian species in the southeastern Michigan area.

Unlike larger facilities that handle a wide range of wildlife, the BCM’s specialized focus on songbirds—the only birds they accept—allows them to provide world-class, dedicated care to hundreds of injured and orphaned birds annually, with recent years seeing admissions soar past the 2,000 mark. This deep dive explores the center's mission, the dedicated team, and the cutting-edge protocols that make them a regional leader in avian conservation.

The Dedicated Team: Key Personnel and BCM's Foundation

The success of the Bird Center of Michigan is built upon the tireless dedication of its staff, interns, and vast network of volunteers. Their commitment ensures that every injured robin, orphaned sparrow, or stunned warbler receives expert care.

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• Marissa Jardine: Clinic Co-Manager

  Marissa Jardine is a driving force in the day-to-day operations and clinical care at the center. As Clinic Co-Manager, she oversees the complex logistics of rescuing, treating, and feeding the thousands of birds admitted each year. Her expertise is frequently sought after, and she has been featured in podcasts discussing the emotional and physical demands of wildlife rehabilitation.

• Grace Goetting: Clinic Co-Manager

  Serving alongside Jardine, Grace Goetting shares the responsibilities of Clinic Co-Manager, ensuring the high standards of care and training are maintained across all operations. Their combined leadership is essential for managing the large volume of patients, especially during the peak summer "baby bird" season.

• Founding and History:

  The Bird Center of Michigan has been saving songbirds since 2004, initially operating as a summer clinic. Due to increasing demand and the need for year-round care, the center expanded its operations to a full-time, 365-day service in 2015, solidifying its role as one of the only songbird-specific facilities in the region.

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1. The Critical Focus on Songbirds: Why Specialization Matters

The BCM's decision to specialize in songbirds is a strategic one that maximizes their impact and efficiency. Songbirds, or passerines, make up the largest order of birds and are often the most common victims of domestic cat attacks, window strikes, and habitat loss in urban and suburban environments.

This specialization means the center’s staff and volunteers are highly trained in the specific dietary, medical, and housing needs of small species like finches, sparrows, warblers, and robins. They possess a deep understanding of the unique challenges these birds face, from complex nutritional requirements for fledglings to the delicate bone structure of adult songbirds.

• What They Accept: Native songbirds (e.g., American Robins, Northern Cardinals, House Finches), Crows, Jays, Woodpeckers, and Mourning Doves.
• What They Do Not Accept: Raptors (like owls and hawks), Waterfowl (geese, swans, ducks), and other large shorebirds. These species require different federal permits and specialized facilities, which the BCM carefully refers to other licensed rehabilitators in the state of Michigan.

The volume of their work is staggering. Last year alone, the center admitted over 2,000 individual birds, each requiring personalized, intensive care. This number highlights the immense pressure on local wildlife rescue services and the vital role BCM plays in maintaining Michigan's biodiversity. The most common causes of intake are typically trauma-related, often from collisions or predation, underscoring the dangers of human-built environments for small birds.

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2. Current Protocols: Navigating the Avian Influenza (HPAI) Threat

In recent years, wildlife centers across North America have had to adapt to the resurgence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or "Bird Flu." The Bird Center of Michigan has implemented stringent, updated protocols to protect its patients, staff, and the wider avian community.

The center closely monitors updates from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the State of Michigan to ensure their biosecurity measures are cutting-edge. This includes strict quarantine procedures for new intakes, enhanced sanitation practices, and careful screening of all incoming patients for symptoms of the virus, which has been confirmed in both wild birds and mammals throughout the state.

These protocols are a testament to the BCM's commitment to public and animal health, ensuring that their work to save individual birds does not inadvertently contribute to the spread of a widespread wildlife disease.

3. Education and Outreach: Blue the Blue Jay and Community Impact

Rehabilitation is only one part of the BCM’s mission; public education is equally important. The center believes that preventing injuries is just as critical as treating them.

The BCM runs an engaging, off-site education program designed to inform the public—especially children—about bird conservation and how to coexist safely with local wildlife. A key figure in this program is their non-releasable songbird ambassador, Blue the Blue Jay.

Blue, who cannot be released due to permanent injury, helps the BCM team teach audiences using "biofacts" (feathers, nests, and preserved specimens) and interactive activities. These programs cover topics like:

• How to prevent window strikes (a major cause of trauma).
• The critical importance of keeping domestic cats indoors.
• When a "baby bird" truly needs rescue versus when it should be left alone.
• The life cycles and migration patterns of Michigan’s native songbirds.

By engaging the community, the center transforms ordinary citizens into proactive conservationists, reducing the number of injured and orphaned birds that require rescue in the first place.

4. The Power of the Volunteer and Internship Programs

The sheer volume of 2,000+ birds annually would be impossible to manage without a dedicated army of volunteers and a structured internship program. The Bird Center of Michigan is a vital training ground for the next generation of wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians.

The center runs regular, comprehensive training sessions throughout the year, preparing both interns and volunteers for the highly demanding work of avian care. These programs offer hands-on experience in:

• Gavage Feeding: Specialized techniques for feeding orphaned nestlings and hatchlings.
• Wound Care: Treating complex injuries from cat attacks or collisions.
• Flight Conditioning: Preparing recovered birds for release in large outdoor flight cages.
• Record Keeping: Maintaining detailed patient records for every bird admitted.

For many, like former interns who have gone on to leadership roles in other major wildlife rescue organizations, the BCM provides the foundational confidence and independence necessary for a career in animal welfare.

5. How You Can Support Michigan's Songbird Rescue Mission

As a non-profit organization, the Bird Center of Michigan relies entirely on community support to continue its life-saving work. The resources required to care for 2,000+ birds—including specialized food, medications, heating elements, and facility maintenance—are substantial.

For those inspired by the BCM’s mission to aid birds, wildlife, and the environment, there are several ways to get involved and ensure this critical service remains available for Michigan's songbirds:

• Financial Donations: Direct monetary support is the most effective way to help cover medical expenses and operating costs.
• Volunteer Your Time: Local residents can apply to become a trained volunteer, assisting with feeding, cleaning, and general patient care.
• Donate Supplies: The center frequently needs common items like paper towels, cleaning supplies, and specific brands of bird seed or specialized feed.
• Attend an Educational Program: Support their outreach efforts by attending a public event or requesting a school program featuring Blue the Blue Jay.

The Bird Center of Michigan is more than just a clinic; it is a sanctuary and a beacon of hope for the delicate avian life that enriches the Great Lakes State. By understanding its focused mission and supporting its dedicated team, the community ensures that thousands of songbirds will continue to take their "flight to freedom" each year.