Injured Little Bird Gets Tiny ‘Snowshoes’ and a New Lease on Life at California Wildlife Center

When a tiny Northern Mockingbird with injured feet was brought to the California Wildlife Center (CWC), the team knew they had to get creative. The little bird was struggling with a foot condition that made it difficult to walk, perch, or grasp objects—a common issue in young birds caused by an unknown injury that led to knuckling of the feet.

The compassionate team at CWC devised a clever solution: they crafted tiny “snowshoes” out of cardboard and tape. These custom-made shoes gently repositioned the bird’s feet, allowing them to heal properly. Before the intervention, the bird was forced to stand on the tops of her toes, which only worsened the injury. “It usually takes a week or two of wearing the snowshoes before their feet are back to normal,” explained CWC veterinarian Duane Tom to The Dodo.

The good news is that the snowshoe treatment was a success! The little mockingbird is now on the road to recovery and preparing to return to the wild, where she’ll soon be serenading the world with her sweet songs.

Cheers to the California Wildlife Center for their innovative and heartwarming rescue!

Injured Little Bird Gets Tiny ‘Snowshoes’ and a New Lease on Life at California Wildlife Center