What to Do If You Find an Injured Bird
You don’t need to intervene if you find a chick . Truly, the chicks do not need your help . But a wounded bird is another matter. For example, if one of them flies through your stripless window and is now lying on your deck, it only makes sense that you want to help your tiny feathered friend. You can do this, but you must be careful. Here is the best way to help an injured bird.
Watch the bird for a while
Mother Nature has maintained the cycle of life for millions of years without human intervention. In fact, when we interfere, things can go bad , to say the least. Don’t rush to pick up a bird just because you see it on the ground. Instead, on Mass Audubon’s advice , watch the bird for a few hours to make sure it’s really injured and not just an uncoordinated chick that hasn’t yet learned to fly.
“If it can walk, jump and flap its wings, or if there are adult birds nearby, leave the bird alone. Parents will continue to take care of him,” the organization notes.
Other birds, such as hawks, can sit for hours looking for prey. It’s also not a sign that they’re hurt, so don’t assume that every bird you see hanging in a tree for a while is hurt. However, if you see a bird on the ground and it seems unable to fly, this is a good sign that the bird is unwell. Approach it slowly, and if it doesn’t fly away when you’re within 10 feet or so (or less if it’s a New York pigeon), feel free to assume there’s a problem.
What to do if the bird is sick
Once you have determined that the bird is injured and not just dangling, start by contacting a licensed wildlife rehabilitation professional. These organizations are usually staffed by volunteers, so it may take a while to find one, but it’s worth it. They will be able to make an informed decision about whether further treatment is possible and give you advice on what to do.
If there are possible predators around, carefully lift the bird, wearing thick gloves, and place it in a ventilated box, and then place this box in a dark and quiet place. Feel free to put a bowl of water and some seeds in there, but don’t force-feed the animal. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling birds.
Massa Audubon advises that if you can’t reach a rehab specialist, get the bird out of your sight “and let nature take its course.” If there is a veterinarian nearby and you can’t reach a wildlife rehabilitator, consider bringing a bird. (I once brought an injured pigeon to a veterinary clinic in New York. With some embarrassment, I admit I cried at the time, and only in hindsight did it dawn on me what the vet’s promise to “take care of her” meant.) A bird at best recover and be released. In the best-worst case, he will die somewhere in a convenient place.
If a bird you are concerned about dies (or you find a bird that is already dead), take the time to find out if any disease outbreaks have been reported in your local bird population. Contact your local or county public health department or the National Wildlife Health Center for information on what to do, but be prepared to collect and/or dispose of the body if advised to do so. In some cases, you may be asked to bring in a body, so be sure to wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterward – again, as you would with a live, injured bird. According to Cornell Lab’s All About Birds , health departments usually can’t analyze a bird that has begun to decompose, so you may be asked to double bag the body and put it in the freezer if you can’t bring it in properly. away.
What to do if a bird hit the window
When a bird hits your window, according to Masse Audubon, cerebral edema can temporarily disable it, but there are times when a bird recovers on its own after a short downtime. Your task in this situation is to keep an eye on cats or other predators while he is incapacitated. Carefully place the bird in a closed box or under a colander to keep it safe, but try not to touch the animal too often. Do not try to give him food or water.
The swelling should subside and you will see that it has become more active, at which time you can release the bird. If it doesn’t , contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or follow the other steps above.