3 Orphaned Baby House Finches Rescued In Redwood City: Photos

REDWOOD CITY, CA — Three orphaned baby House Finches were rescued by the Peninsula Humane Society in Redwood City this week, according to the animal shelter.

A resident called the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA on April 3 concerned about the three House Finches, which were found inside an equestrian helmet. The baby birds’ parents had built a nest inside the helmet, but didn’t return to the nest for a number of days.

The birds were about three weeks old, according to Peninsula Humane Society.

Rescue staff from Peninsula Humane Society brought the babies and their helmet nest to the Wildlife Care Center in Burlingame, where they will be cared for until they are old enough to survive in the wild on their own.

“House Finches are known to build nests in cavities such as openings in buildings and cup-shaped outdoor decorations, but this is the first time we’ve seen a pair of breeding House Finches build a nest in a helmet,” said Buffy Tarbox, PHS/SPCA’s Communications Manager. “Thankfully someone spotted the vulnerable parentless baby birds and contacted us for help. There is no possible way the trio of nestlings could have survived on their own.”

Native to the Bay Area, House Finches are known for their “warbling song.”

Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA said it rehabilitates and returns between 1,200 and 1,400 wild animals every year.