Wildlife Of Wisconsin (W.O.W.)

05/23/2026

Eaglet Update - The eagles have landed, literally. The parents have been feeding the eaglet in the man-made nest. That is a load off of our mind. The eaglet suffering a pelvic fracture is also doing well and to be reunited toward the end-of-the-week. Thanks to all those involved, and concerned, for watching over our wildlife.

05/20/2026

A severe windstorm on Sunday, May 18th caused significant damage throughout the Two Rivers area. Among the losses was a large Bald Eagle nest and the tree supporting it, located west of Two Rivers and east of Shoto. The nest held three eaglets at the time of the collapse.
One eaglet was tragically crushed in the fall. A second suffered a pelvic fracture, but veterinarians report a good prognosis for full recovery. The third was found hypothermic, soaked by rain and lying in wet vegetation.
The downed nest was discovered quickly by landowners Rick and Janice, who immediately notified Becky and Joe, the pair who have monitored this nest site for the past two years. Their swift action in contacting Wildlife Of Wisconsin (WOW) played a crucial role in saving the surviving eaglets.
Volunteer veterinarian Dr. Joseph Sutton of Memorial Drive Veterinary Clinic performed x rays and evaluated the birds. After discussing care options, Sue from WOW contacted Rick to propose building a replacement platform nest on site.
Thanks to training provided by The Raptor Center of Minnesota, WOW had detailed guidance on returning raptors — including eagles — to reconstructed nests.
Rick and Janice, with help from their cousin Paul and longtime monitors Becky and Joe, constructed a sturdy platform on the roof of a deer stand 16 feet up in a nearby evergreen tree. The first eaglet was carefully lifted to the new nest while the team watched from below.
Within an hour, an adult eagle was seen perched in a tree roughly 100 feet away, observing the site — an encouraging sign.
If the second eaglet’s fracture heals as expected, it will be placed in the hand-built nest in approximately three weeks. According to Becky, the eaglets hatched in early April. At roughly six weeks old, they still have ample time before fledging, which typically occurs at 10–14 weeks.
Eagles are among the most finicky raptors when it comes to accepting a new nest, so success is not guaranteed. However, WOW has used this method successfully with other eaglets in Fond du Lac County, and hopes are high that it will work again.
This rescue highlights the dedication and teamwork of everyone involved — landowners, volunteer monitors, veterinary partners, and the WOW team. Their quick action and collaboration gave these young eagles the best possible chance at survival.

05/05/2026

We are always happy when the public takes our advice and works with us. Way to go "Grow It Forward Community Food Center" in looking out for what is best for this mallard.

Yay!!! We’re expecting! Shout out and thank you to Wildlife Of Wisconsin (W.O.W.) for the advice on how to care for momma mallard. She may lay as many as 13 eggs, and only lays one a day! The ducklings will hatch 28 days after the last egg was laid and then within 48 hours she will parade her ducklings to water.

Please note, momma mallard is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is illegal to harm or remove the ducks or otherwise interfere with nests. Do not touch her or her eggs. You may observe her from our sidewalk but otherwise do not disturb her. Also do not leave food for her as doing so may attract other predators.

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day from WOW!

Baby season is in full swing, which means our wildlife hospital is currently hosting a very wiggly, squeaky, fluffy celebration.
Our infant patients—baby bunnies, tiny opossums, fuzzy squirrels, and all their wide‑eyed friends—would like to remind you that every little action you take helps protect the world they’re growing up in.

(If they could write this themselves, they would… but their typing skills are limited to “chew on the corner of the paper.”)

Here are some baby‑approved ways to celebrate Earth Day:
🌲 Plant native trees — excellent for climbing, hiding, and future nest‑building
🌼 Grow native flowers — pollinators love them, and baby mammals love watching pollinators
🥤 Reduce single‑use plastics — because no baby opossum wants to wear a plastic ring as a necklace
🧤 Pick up litter — keeps habitats clean and prevents curious noses from getting into trouble
💡 Save energy — even baby squirrels appreciate a planet that stays healthy and bright

While you’re out enjoying the sunshine today, bring a bag and gloves to pick up any litter you spot. It’s a simple act that makes a huge difference for wildlife—especially the tiny ones who explore the world nose‑first.

This Earth Day, Wildlife Of Wisconsin is rallying our community to protect the lands, waters, and wild neighbors we all depend on. Our baby patients thank you (with tiny chirps, squeaks, and the occasional dramatic opossum hiss).

04/22/2026

SPRING CLEAN-UP DAY!
Whistle while you clean,
Spring’s calling out the team—let’s make the refuge shine.
With every rake and broom,
The critters peek and zoom, like they’re cheering from the pines.
So hum a little tune,
The morning comes too soon when there’s so much to do.
But working side by side,
The day just seems to glide—at WOW, that’s nothing new.
So whistle while you clean.

MAY 2, 2026
PICK A SHIFT
- 9:00 a.m. – Noon
- 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Or spend the whole day

LUNCH & PROGRAM
- Noon – 1:00 p.m.
(all volunteers working are invited)

WHAT TO WEAR/BRING
- Old boots and shoes
- Work gloves
- Optional: Lawn chairs, hammers

Do I see you coming over?

03/28/2026

W.O.W. has received its first newborn baby gray squirrel. Spring is in the air. Should you encounter a baby on the ground please follow the chart from Wildlife In Need to determine how to reunite or rescue. Don't forget, go to W.O.W.'s babylist at babylist.com/list/wildlife-of-wisconsin to help with supplies needed to care for these young ones. Thank you.

03/23/2026

Sharing a good article regarding the Brown-headed Cowbird and brood parasitism. A great article that clears up some of the old myths.

I am not evil.

I'm a Brown-headed Cowbird. I lay my eggs in other birds' nests and leave. I don't build a nest. I don't raise my young. I let a Song Sparrow, a warbler, a vireo do it for me. And you think that makes me a villain.

This strategy is called brood parasitism. It's millions of years old. I evolved it following bison herds across the Great Plains. The herds moved constantly. I couldn't stay in one place long enough to build a nest and raise chicks. So I outsourced.

Here's what most people get wrong. I don't destroy the host nest. I add one egg. The host incubates my egg alongside her own. My chick hatches earlier and grows faster — but in most cases the host's own chicks also survive. The host raises four instead of three. The cowbird chick doesn't push other eggs out of the nest. That's a cuckoo behavior, not mine.

Most host species maintain stable populations despite parasitism. The cowbird gets blamed for songbird decline, but habitat loss and predation cause far more damage than one extra chick in a nest. I'm the convenient villain. The real threats are quieter.

I'm in your yard right now. The female — dull brown, unremarkable — is watching nests being built. She'll return at dawn when the host is away and deposit one egg quickly, then leave.

🐦 What this means at your feeder:

- A cowbird at your feeder is not a threat to your nesting birds — she's a native species running a strategy that's older than most of the songbird species she parasitizes
- If you find a slightly larger speckled egg in a small bird's nest, that's likely a cowbird egg. The host bird raises it successfully alongside her own in most cases
- Some host species recognize cowbird eggs and reject them — Gray Catbirds are especially good at this. Others can't tell the difference and incubate the egg without issue
- The real threats to nesting songbirds in your yard are outdoor cats, window strikes, and habitat loss — not the cowbird at the feeder

I didn't choose this strategy. It was shaped by bison herds that no longer exist. The herds are gone. The behavior remains 🌿

03/17/2026

Help support Wildlife Of Wisconsin and tiny wild critters coming into our care this Spring by purchasing items from our Baby Registry March 15 – May 15. You can access our registry at www.babylist.com/list/wildlife-of-wisconsin. Thank you!

01/17/2026

Releasing orphaned wildlife takes patience and planning. At W.O.W., we use a slow‑release “hacking” process to help YOUNG animals safely adjust to life in the wild. They start in a quiet, species‑specific cage at the release site, where they get used to the sights and sounds of their new home. Once they show natural behaviors, the door is opened and they’re free to come and go while they learn to forage on their own. Over a few weeks, visits for food taper off as they gain confidence and independence.

One of our Barred Owls is a great example — fully independent now, but still stops by after heavy snow when hunting gets tough. A reminder that every animal’s journey is unique, and we’re honored to help them get their start.