Each day, a group of volunteers drops off sick, injured and confused birds to the Willowbrook Wildlife Center — some days bringing 17, other days 70.

“We had a day last week where we had well over 100,” said Sandy Fejt, site manager at the DuPage County-funded sanctuary for wild animals, at 525 S. Park Blvd. in Glen Ellyn.

As birds migrate through Chicago, they often fly into skyscrapers, at which point they are picked up off the ground by volunteers who call themselves Chicago Bird Collision Monitors. Annette Prince, director of Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, said her group brings about 2,000 injured birds into the Willowbrook Wildlife Center each year.

“We feel very fortunate to have a relationship with them,” Prince said. “We rely on them very much as far as handling the birds and getting the birds where they need to be and giving them a second chance.”

Willowbrook, which takes only wild animals, has a skilled animal care team, a full-time veterinarian, a wildlife specialist and wildlife keepers. When migratory season is in full flight, more than 100 volunteers help operate what Fejt calls a well-oiled machine.

Each morning between 9 and 10 a.m. the birds collected from around downtown Chicago are brought into the center’s triage area.

“It’s very well orchestrated on how it’s done,” Fejt said.

Once in triage, a veterinarian determines what kind of treatment a bird might need. If a bird is to receive ongoing treatment, it is put in a particular recovery area. Bleeding birds get a more thorough assessment. Some, like those with broken wings or severe head trauma, have to stay at the center. In some cases, a bird’s suffering is so great that it must be euthanized. Some birds are sent to a specific habitat and others are simply released from the center.

“It’s pretty amazing. So, that kind of keeps us busy this time of year,” Fejt said.

Birds are not the only animal refugees keeping the staff and volunteers at the wildlife center busy right now.

“When fall comes, it’s pretty much the time of year for wildlife to get the boot from their parents,”

Fejt said. “You have a lot of young, and they’re all looking for their own space.” Sometimes, in the course of this search, animals sustain injuries and require care.

Last year, 7,941 animals were brought into the center. Fejt said the center has the manpower and resources to handle the work load.

Prince said the center is up-to-date on the best practices for wildlife, as far as how to get birds to eat and be comfortable.

“I think that Willowbrook brings all this expertise because they network so effectively with nationwide rehabilitators,” Prince said.