Mourning Dove
One of the most recognizable birds of the Sonoran Desert, this Mourning Dove was brought to Tucson Wildlife Center after residents discovered her trapped in their garage. With a fractured bone in her chest and an injured right wing, it appeared as if she may have struck a window or a wall while trying to escape. Upon arrival, the wildlife care team at TWC took X-rays then stabilized and wrapped her drooping wing. We are happy to report that, after a few days, the bandage was removed, and the dove continues to improve.
Birds may enter your garage for a variety of reasons. Some fly into your garage because they think they can pass through, especially if they see a window opposite the door. Others may be fleeing a predator or seeking a safe place to nest or just some shade. Once in your garage, it can be frustrating (for you and the bird) to try to get the bird to fly out. There are some easy methods to try, but if the bird has already nested and laid eggs, we recommend calling TWC for advice.
Since a calm bird is much more likely to find its way out than one that’s stressed, the first thing to try is to open all the windows and doors of the garage, then be patient and leave the bird alone. If the bird still does not exit, another option is to use a rake. Do not swat at the bird with the rake but, instead, hold the rake in the air and slowly move toward the bird. With luck, the bird will land on the rake, and you can then slowly move it toward the opened garage door. Once the bird sees natural light, it should fly away. Lastly, you could try putting a water bowl and some bird seed near the opening to your garage in hopes of luring the bird out.
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