One of the most exciting and satisfying days at Le Nichoir is when birds are released. Opening the door and allowing them to fly out into their natural habitat is the goal we strive to achieve with every bird we admit. Most birds are released directly from Le Nichoir, although birds that require a special habitat are taken to the most appropriate location for release.
The duration of a bird’s stay at Le Nichoir depends on its age, species and initial injuries. All birds are carefully observed daily to determine their readiness for release. Before release, birds must be able to fly well, be self-feeding, and be in good physical condition. Depending on the species, baby birds are released at 6 – 8 weeks of age, once they have had ample time to practice flight, condition their feathers, and forage for food in our flight cages. Injured birds may stay from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the severity of the injuries.