Article: It is often difficult to determine the species of a baby bird. Baby birds typically do not resemble their adult counterparts, particularly in terms of feather color and length. In addition, a baby bird's feather color and lengths can change in a matter of days, making identification even more difficult. Despite the challenges, do your best to identify the species. When you contact a wildlife rehabilitation center, you can provide them with this information so the staff will have a good idea of what type of baby bird you will be bringing them. If you need to care for the baby bird before transferring care over to a wildlife rehabilitation center, you can provide the bird with general support regardless of its species. For example, you can keep it warm by placing it in a tissue-filled shoebox (make sure to cut holes in the lid) and setting a heating pad set on 'low' underneath the box. You could also feed it. Often, a baby's bird bill will be large and out of proportion to the size of its head. This is because the baby bird's head has not yet fully formed. Essentially, the head will have to catch up to the size of the bill. A baby bird's feathers are typically stubby, fluffy, and not very well organized. Sometimes, the feather coloring will resemble that of an adult of the same species, especially for the wing and tail feathers. Most times, though, the coloring will be very drab to conceal the baby bird from predators. With so many species of birds, there are many variations on physical characteristics. Some other physical features to look for include eye size, the presence of a hooked beak, and spiked feathers on the head. Be mindful that telltale physical features of a particular species may not be easily noticeable on a baby bird. The orientation of the toes (how many face forward and how many face backward) can also help you identify the species. Take a few pictures of the baby bird and spend some time researching online databases to see if you can identify the species. There are many helpful online resources, such as http://www.2ndchance.info/babybirdphotos.htm, that contain numerous pictures of baby birds. Another website, http://www.babybirdid.com/, features a short quiz that will give you potential species based on how you answer the questions. If you were able to locate the nestling's or fledgling's original nest, you could use the nest's characteristics to determine the baby bird's species. For example, sparrows will make their nests close to the ground and wrens will build their nests in bushes or shrubs with dense foliage. Also, owls and wrens will make their nests in cavities of old trees. You can also look at how the nest is made. For example, American robins will have cup-shaped nests, Barn swallows will make their nests out of mud, and hummingbirds will make their nests out of lichens and spiderwebs. There are many types of nests, so do not become discouraged if you cannot identify the baby bird's species according to its nest. A wildlife rehabilitation expert can help you.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Recognize the challenge of identifying the species of the baby bird. Look at the baby bird's bill. Observe the feather length and color. Identify other interesting physical features. Use a picture database to identify the baby bird's species. Observe the nest type to identify the species.
Article: Spray paint is available in dozens of brands and hundreds of colors, so check out your options to see what will meet your project's needs. You will also need a few other supplies to do a professional spray paint job. Before you begin, you will need: Spray paint in the color(s) of your choice Primer Newspaper, drop cloth, or a plastic tarp to protect the ground and other items around the item you are painting. Painter's tape Disposable gloves, safety glasses, and a ventilator mask Whenever you spray paint, you should always work outdoors in a well-ventilated area because the fumes from the paint can cause respiratory damage. Keep in mind that spray paint won't adhere well if it is too cold or wet outside, so wait for a time when humidity is below 65% and it is sunny and warm. Place your newspaper, drop cloth, or tarp down. If you are working outside, you can use weights (like rocks) to keep your protective materials from blowing around in the wind. Be sure to spread your protective materials far enough out, otherwise your yard or driveway may have end up with a light misting of color from the paint. Tape off any areas you don't want to paint. Be sure the edges are sealed well to the surface to prevent paint from leaking underneath. If you are painting an object that will sit well on sawhorses, then you may want to use these to suspend the item in the air. This will help to make it easier for you to spray paint the item because you won't have to be bending over as much. Having the item up on sawhorses will also make it easier to reach areas that might be hard to reach if the item is on the ground. If you have a small item to spray paint, then you can also try putting it inside of a box that has been placed on its side. Then, you can spray the paint into the box to spray paint the item and this will reduce the chances that paint will end up on nearby surfaces. You can also put items on a small piece of cardboard or a turntable inside of the box to make it easier to turn the item around as you paint.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Assemble your materials. Prep your work area. Consider using sawhorses to suspend your item. Create a paint box for a small item.