Question: I found an injured bird. Do you have a number for the person who was known as the Bird Lady of Kailua?

Answer: As far as we could ascertain, Dorothy Babineau, known as the Bird Lady of Kailua, is no longer actively involved in tending to injured wild birds.

In her place, however, many other people—volunteers all—have been caring for injured birds.

They're part of Wild Bird Rehab Haven, a nonprofit organization that describes itself as a no-kill healing center for orphaned, ill or injured wild birds.

Call 447-9274 or check its Web site—wildbirdrehabhaven.org.

When we called last week, a recording said the haven was at capacity and would not be able to accept any birds for three to four weeks.

However, now that the baby bird season is over, volunteers should soon be able to start accepting birds, said Phoenix Morgaine, executive director.

The organization, which has 36 volunteers throughout Oahu, was “;pretty overwhelmed this last baby bird season,”; she said.

During the past year, more than 1,000 birds, out of about 1,500 taken in, were re-released into the wild, she said. Unfortunately, “;some just are not going to make it.”;

Most of the birds are found by people simply walking along a street. They've either been attacked by an animal, or even a human, struck by a vehicle, or are suffering from an illness.

“;The need has gotten to be so tremendous”; that the Wild Bird Rehab Haven is looking to expand to the neighbor islands, Morgaine said.

The organization has been looking for a site in the Honolulu area to establish a rehab and educational center. It has a lead on a potential piece of property, but everything is still in the very early stages, including planned fundraising.

Currently, all birds are being cared for by volunteers in their own homes.

“;All 36 of us have rooms set aside”; for the birds, Morgaine said, adding that the majority of volunteers are women, a “;good portion”; of whom are self-employed or retired.

Some, like Morgaine, have full-time jobs, and other volunteers are “;wonderful couples.”;

“;We do encourage kids in the family to get involved because we feel the younger they learn the more they'll understand how birds fit into the whole scheme of the animal world,”; she said.

In addition to caring for the birds, there are administrative matters to deal with, including gathering statistics and doing other paperwork for a permit.

In Hawaii, it is illegal for anyone without a state permit to possess or contain wild birds of any kind, Morgaine explained.

Here are some tips from the Wild Bird Rehab Haven on what to do if you find an injured bird before you can turn it over to the organization:

Place the bird in a small box lined with towels and place the box on a heating pad set to low. Offer warm Pedialyte, Gatorade or sugar water for energy, and papaya, mango, bread soaked in warm water or wild bird seed to eat.

If you find an owl, you're advised to call Dr. Douglas Chang at 734-2242; a bird with webbed feet, call Sea Life Park at 259-2537.