An adult male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) recently arrived at CROW after an unfortunate encounter with a glue trap.

The patient (26-3940) was found stuck to the adhesive surface and unable to free himself. Glue coated the tips of all of his primary and tail feathers (rectrices), and several secondary feathers were also affected and damaged.

Glue traps are designed to immobilize any animal that comes into contact with their sticky surface. Unfortunately, they cannot distinguish between intended pests and wildlife. For this cardinal, becoming trapped compromised many of the feathers essential for normal flight.

CROW’s rehabilitation team carefully worked to remove the adhesive while providing supportive care and closely monitoring his feather condition. After approximately one week, his feathers were no longer sticky, and his damaged tail feathers had already begun to regrow. Once he was ready, the team performed a flight test to determine whether the feather damage would interfere with his ability to fly normally.

Fortunately, the cardinal passed his flight test without difficulty, demonstrating strong, controlled flight. The CROW team is now completing his final assessments in preparation for release back into the wild.

While this cardinal’s story appears headed for a happy ending, not every animal caught in a glue trap is as fortunate. His recovery is an important reminder that glue traps can pose a significant and indiscriminate hazard to wildlife.

Help Wildlife: Skip the Glue Traps

Glue traps can harm many animals besides the pests they are meant to catch. Birds, reptiles, small mammals, pets, and other wildlife can become accidental victims.

Trapped animals may suffer from injuries (fractures), exhaustion, dehydration, stress, and prolonged exposure before they are discovered. Glue traps are extremely inhumane and unethical because they can cause significant suffering.

There are better options for managing unwanted pests. Enclosed snap traps can help reduce the risk to non-target animals when used correctly. Other options include live-capture traps and prevention methods. Sealing entry points and removing food and water sources can also help prevent pest problems.

When possible, consult a wildlife professional or pest-control expert for safe, humane solutions. By choosing alternatives to glue traps, you can help protect wildlife. For animals like this Northern Cardinal, that choice can make all the difference.

CROW Case A Week stories are patient features written by Jordan Bryant, CROW’s Education and Marketing Intern. These stories appear weekly in Santiva Chronicle.