North

Yukon homeowner cuts down tree to save baby woodpeckers

A homeowner near Whitehorse went to extraordinary measures last weekend to save the lives of three baby woodpeckers. The chicks were orphaned after their mother and father flew into a window.

Chicks' mother and father died after flying into window at the home

Three orphaned woodpecker chicks are doing well, according to the veterinarian at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. (CBC)

A homeowner near Whitehorse went to extraordinary measures last weekend to save the lives of three baby woodpeckers.

The birds were left orphaned after their mother and father flew into the window of a house and died.

The homeowner cut down the tree the chicks were in and took it to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve.

'He ended up cutting the tree down and bringing the tree over to us,' says Maria Hallock, veterinarian at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. (CBC)

"We had to use the tweezers to get the babies out," said Maria Hallock, the veterinarian at the preserve.

Hallock said the homeowner was devastated by the incident, but his quick action saved the birds.

"They are doing well. They're eating well. They are still blind and have a bit of feathers," the vet said.

The little chicks are being fed using tweezers. Hallock said they'll need to learn how to fly and fend for themselves before being released — but they'll be going to familiar territory.

"Hopefully in a month or so we will be able to release them back around into his property."

The baby woodpeckers are now being fed with tweezers and may be released back into the wild in a month or so. (CBC)

With files from Mike Rudyk