If you find a bird that you suspect to be injured or orphaned, the most important thing to do is seek the advice of a local wildlife rehabilitation specialist or a local veterinarian. These professionals can provide advice for the particular situation that you have encountered. In addition, the following information can guide you in providing help to the injured or orphaned bird until you can obtain advice from a professional.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: N/A
Here's How:
Did Your Pet Bring the Bird Inside Your House?
Pets often will bring injured birds indoors, in which case you need to safely secure the injured bird. Carefully place the injured bird in a small box, such a shoebox that has a lid. Line the box with a small rag or towel for warmth and keep the lid closed. Poke a few holes in the box make sure there is adequate ventilation. Keep the lid closed and place the bird in a quiet spot until you determine the next course of action. Answers to the following questions will determine what to do next.
Is the Bird Hurt or Sick?
Are there signs of physical injury or illness? Pay close attention and look for the following: inability to flutter wings, bleeding, broken bones, wings drooping unevenly, weakness, or shivering. If there is only minor bleeding, and no signs of broken bones, then it might be best to return the bird to where it came from. If you decide to release the bird, make sure it is safe from pets or other dangers. Also, read more below on how to replace the bird in its habitat. Otherwise, the bird is unlikely to survive without help -- which is best provided by a professional rehabilitator.
Is the Bird a Fledgling?
Fledglings are young birds that have recently left the nest. They commonly leave the nest before they are fully capable of flight, which makes them particularly vulnerable to pets and other dangers. Although they are vulnerable, the parents are still feeding and protecting them. Some of the signs that a bird is a fledgling include: relatively short wings and tail feathers, pink coloration around the base of the bill, and worn tips of the tail feathers. Also look for other fledglings from the same brood in the proximity of the nest.
What to do with a Fledgling
If the bird is a fledgling, and not seriously injured, the best course of action is return the bird since the bird’s parent can provide the best care. If possible, replace the bird in its nest. Otherwise, place the bird in a safe spot, such as under a shrub near the nest. The parents will find the bird and take care of it. Be sure to remove all pets and other dangers. Stay back from the fledgling and observe to make sure the parents are attending the bird. If no parents attend the bird after a couple hours, then contact a rehabilitation professional for further guidance.
Is the Bird a Nestling?
Nestlings of most backyard species are born altricial - without feathers. If the bird has no feathers or is still growing feathers, then it is a nestling. In order to survive, nestlings need to be in the nest and under the care of their parents.
What to do with a Nestling
Attempt to locate the nest and replace the nestling in the nest, otherwise make a substitute nest. A substitute nest can be constructed from a small basket or a small empty plastic container, and lined with dry grass. Securely hang the new nest from the original nest tree or a nearby tree. If the original nest fell down, then use the old nest as a liner. Stayback from the nest and observe to make sure the parents are attending the bird. If no parents attend the bird after a couple hours, then contact a rehabilitation professional for further guidance.
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