The birds are bouncing back.

Thirty-two cedar waxwings that survived an encounter with a sticky pigeon repellent are eating and improving, their caretaker says.

"It's still a long process, but I'm happy with the progress," said Amber Kimmich, a wildlife rehabilitator in Powhatan County.

On Tuesday, 55 of the small songbirds got ensnared, some temporarily, in a sticky material that state workers applied to ledges at the General Assembly Building to ward off pigeons.

Two of the waxwings died at Capitol Square, and a state biologist took 53 to Kimmich. Of those, 21 died, primarily from stress.

Kimmich and other volunteers used vegetable oil to remove the gluelike gunk. They also wash the birds periodically with a mild dish detergent to get rid of the oil.

The survivors are heartily eating raspberries, monkey chow and other food, Kimmich said.

Cedar waxwings are protected by law, but state game officials said the pigeon repellent was used properly and no crime was committed. Kimmich said she has gotten calls from concerned people around the country.

"The support has been amazing." -- Rex Springston