AnimalZone: For the Birds - Keeping Them Flying in the Florida Keys - Season 16, Episode 04

In this episode of AnimalZone, we head to Tavernier in the Florida Keys, where a passion for birds that began with a woodcarving knife grew into a remarkable wildlife rescue mission.


Erin Allison takes us inside the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, where nearly 1,000 injured, sick and orphaned wild birds are brought for medical care each year.


The story began with Laura Quinn, a nature lover who carved beautiful wooden birds and became known throughout the Keys as “The Bird Lady.” When people began bringing her real injured birds, Laura teamed up with veterinarian Dr. Robert Foley and learned how to mend broken wings, remove fish hooks and care for orphaned birds. Her backyard efforts eventually became the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, which has been saving birds since 1988.


Today, the Center rescues, rehabilitates and, whenever possible, releases native and migratory wild birds back into the Florida skies. Along the way, we meet an extraordinary assortment of feathered residents and patients—including pelicans, mourning doves, American flamingos, Eastern screech owls, red-shouldered hawks and broad-winged hawks.


And we get an up-close look at wildlife rehabilitation in action when a recovering turkey vulture, brought in suffering from injuries and parasites, receives medication and treatment at the hospital.


It’s a story that began with one woman, a few wooden birds and a willingness to help—and grew into a sanctuary dedicated to making sure Florida’s wild birds have another chance to spread their wings.


For more information, visit KeepThemFlying.org.

Uploaded on Sep 1, 2026 at 5:09 pm