Kestrel chicks rescued by wildlife center

At 2 pm on Thursday, a raptor rehabilitator from the BRRC arrived at the community, where employees and property workers helped her search for the fallen bird's nest, which was eventually located on a high-rise building in a residential estate. They contacted the residents and returned the chick to its nest.

"Our center receives many raptor chicks and juveniles every year. By using scientific feeding methods, we successfully release them back into nature after they have grown up. However, it is better for young raptors to learn hunting, flying and survival skills in the wild with their parents. Therefore, if we can locate the nests of young birds, we try our best to send them back home," Zhou said.

Liang said: "This was the first time we saw a raptor chick, which was quite different from our expectations of 'raptors'. But we were all excited and had a sense of accomplishment at helping find the birds' nest. Being neighbors with these wild animals helps us feel the harmony between humans and nature."

She added that the committee will use the BRRC's scientific brochures to help community residents better understand raptors and wildlife.

The common kestrel is a small bird and one of the few raptors that can live in urban areas. The breeding season is starting in Beijing, with birds gradually entering their reproductive phase.

If nestlings or juveniles fall due to nest failures or difficult first flights, it is hoped that citizens will contact the relevant professional rescue organizations, the BRRC said.

According to the center, raptors play an important role in maintaining environmental health and ecological balance, and also help control the pest and insect populations.

In recent years, they have faced challenges from habitat destruction, the wildlife trade and other human activities, injuries, illness and malnutrition caused by the loss of nests.

At present, all species of raptors are under level-two or higher protection in China.

The BRRC is a nonprofit wildlife rescue organization established through cooperation between Beijing Normal University and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

It is committed to rescuing raptors through scientific methods and high animal welfare standards, and it promotes raptor rescue and protection.

yandongjie@chinadaily.com.cn