Ivan and Dana Shukster wrote:

>I think that if you check with rehabbers you will see that the majority of
>birds in for rehab are from human causes, either direct ( shot , hit by
>vehicles) or indirect (windows, power lines)
>The question is if rehab is interferring with nature are we expecting birds
>to evolve to be able to avoid human structures and activities? And isn't
>the main benefit of rehabbers and rehab centres is to educate the public in
>the need to consider wildlife?

As I wrote before, I think rehabbing is inconsequential either for or
against wildlife. Not enough birds are released from rehab centers to
provide a significant input of "doofus" genes into populations, so there's
no call to be concerned about that aspect of it either. If a rehab center
releases 100 baby robins in King Co., what percentage of the baby robins
fledged in the county does that represent? I really don't think rehabbing
"interferes with nature." As long as we keep individuals and populations
clearly distinguished in our minds, we can communicate better about this.

The question about birds evolving to avoid humans is an interesting one. I
think there's no doubt that birds will evolve to avoid or seek out people.
There might certainly be genetic bases for behavior that leads to
frequenting or avoiding bird feeders or nesting on the other side of a busy
highway from a wetland or not. Interestingly, the changes I see most
(maybe because I live in a city) are birds evolving(?) to *seek out* human
activities and structures.

And it sounds as if most if not all of us would agree with the last
sentence in their post.

Dennis Paulson, Director phone 206-756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax 206-756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416