Egret Invasion: Natomas Neighborhood Facing Bird Droppings, Birds Dropping
NATOMAS (CBS13) — It's a bird invasion in a Natomas neighborhood where egrets have taken over, both leaving droppings and dropping dead.
The next time you're in Natomas, especially in front of the River Glen Apartment Complex, you may want to look up, and it's not to dodge rain drops.
You can't help but notice the new neighbors that are loud and a bit smelly. Egrets and herons are looking for a place to call home and nest.
"I don't see them across the street. I just see them on this side of the street," said Jonathan Albert.
The birds are flocking to the complex, covering sidewalks, trees and cars with droppings.
"Nature isn't always pretty," he said.
Near an active bust stop, CBS13 found smashed eggs and lots of dead birds.
"And there were days there would be multiple bodies appearing for the first time," Albert said.
A juvenile egret fell from a nest and tried to climb back up to a tree. It's a dangerous intersection for the birds.
"Saw one, one day, just walk out into traffic and just disappear shall we say," Albert said.
A recent UC Davis article says a decrease in forested habitat is causing the birds to look elsewhere, including residential neighborhoods.
The nonprofit Wildlife Care Association of Sacramento says it's willing to help with any injured or orphaned egrets.