Finding an injured or baby bird on the ground can be alarming. But with some basic knowledge, you can safely handle the situation and give the bird its best chance of survival. Here are some quick answers to common questions about found birds, along with more detailed information on the best steps to take.
Quick Answers
Is the bird injured or a baby? Look for blood, broken wings/legs, closed eyes, weakness/inability to hop or flutter wings. If yes, it needs rescue. If eyes are open, it may be a healthy fledgling learning to fly.
What if it’s a baby? Nestlings (no feathers) need to go back in the nest if possible or to a wildlife rehabilitator. Fledglings (with feathers) are normal learners and parents are nearby. Leave alone if safe.
Should I intervene? Yes for obvious injury/babies. No for healthy fledglings. Yes if the bird is in immediate danger – road, predators, etc. Use common sense.
Can I touch it? Avoid handling as much as possible, but gloves/towel can be used if necessary for safety. Be gentle and minimize stress.
Who do I call for help? Contact a local wildlife rehabilitator, wildlife center, animal control or state wildlife agency. Don’t wait – injured birds need quick care.
Assessing the Situation
If you find a bird on the ground, the first step is to quickly assess…
– Is the bird an adult or a nestling/fledgling?
– Does it appear injured or in imminent danger?
– Might this be a normal stage of development for some species?
This initial observation will guide your next actions. Here’s what to look for in more detail:
Age of the bird
– Nestlings have no feathers and should be in the nest. If you find one on the ground, it likely fell out and needs to go back or get professional care.
– Fledglings are fully feathered and learning to fly. It’s normal for them to be hopping around on the ground, branches, etc. Parents are still feeding them.
– Adults are full size and can fly well. An adult on the ground likely needs help.
Signs of injury
– Bleeding, broken wing or leg, labored breathing, tightly closed eyes, weakness, inability to hop/flutter wings
– Cat/dog in vicinity – their saliva carries deadly bacteria for birds
– Hit a window or car
Imminent dangers
– In the road or path of vehicles
– Cornered by predators like cats, dogs, raccoons, rats, snakes, raptors, etc.
– Trapped in a place it can’t escape
– Visibly shivering on a cold day
Normal fledgling behavior
– Hopping on ground, exploring branches and bushes while parents watch
– Flapping wings frequently while still learning to fly
– Letting out loud chirps/calls for feeding (can sound distressed to us)
– Appearing ‘lost’ but parents are still feeding and they will relocate
Take a minute to observe the bird and scene before intervening. Does it show clear signs of being a nestling, injured, or endangered? Or could this be normal fledgling behavior where they learn to fly?
If the Bird is Injured
If upon observation, you determine the bird is an injured adult, nestling, or fledgling in danger, here are the steps to take:
1. Contain the bird
– Use gloves, towel, box or bin to gently pick up or contain the bird. Avoid excessive handling.
– Keep children and pets away so it stays calm and safe.
2. Call for expert help
– Contact a local wildlife rehabilitator, wildlife center, animal control or state wildlife agency.
– Ask if they can take the bird or have trusted referral options.
– Describe the situation so they can advise over the phone too.
3. Care for the bird while waiting
– Place in a quiet, dark, ventilated container like a shoebox with air holes.
– Avoid food/water which can harm more than help.
– Keep the bird in a warm, quiet space until help arrives.
– Monitor closely but keep noise/handling to a minimum.
4. Get the bird to expert care ASAP
– Time matters for an injured or ill bird – arrange transportation quickly.
– Follow instructions from the wildlife expert you spoke to.
– Wish the bird well – with expertise and a little luck, it may recover and be released!
If the Bird is a Healthy Fledgling
If the bird appears to be a normal fledgling learning to fly, here are tips:
– Leave it alone
Fledglings hopping on the ground are in a natural stage of development. Parents are still very involved, so human intervention can do more harm than good.
– Check for immediate dangers
If the bird is in a road or path of predators, you may need to move it a short distance away to safety.
– Avoid handling when possible
Herding or gently tossing a towel over the bird to move it can work better than direct handling.
– Monitor from a distance
Keep watch to make sure parents reconnect after you intervene and the scene stays safe.
– Allow time for parents to resume care
Don’t assume the bird is orphaned if separated for an hour or more. Fledglings can’t fly well at first.
If you’ve carefully observed and there’s still any doubt about the fledgling’s safety, it’s okay to call for expert input to be sure. But healthy fledglings are designed to master flying through practice under their parents’ supervision.
Returning a Fallen Nestling to the Nest
If you find a featherless nestling on the ground, carefully returning it to the nest can give it the best chance. Here’s how:
1. Look for the nest location
– Search bushes, trees, ledges, etc near where you found the bird.
– Move slowly so parents don’t abandon the site.
2. Determine if you can safely reach the nest
Only attempt to return the nestling if the nest is within your reach. Don’t risk injury to you or further harm to the bird. If reaching the nest isn’t feasible, skip to seeking expert help.
3. Return the nestling to the nest if possible
– Use clean gloves or a towel to gently pick up and contain the nestling.
– Watch for distressed parental alarm calls or defensive actions.
– Gently place the nestling back in the nest if retrieval is safe for all.
4. Monitor nest after
– Stay nearby for awhile to be sure parents return and feed the nestling(s).
– Be careful not to disturb the area any further.
– If parents don’t return within an hour or so, seek wildlife rehabilitator help.
5. Wish the little one well!
Hopefully you helped give a fallen nestling its best chance to thrive and someday fledge under its parents’ care thanks to your intervention.
Key Tips for Safely Handling Birds
Some key tips to keep in mind if hands-on intervention is needed:
– Use extreme care and restraint to avoid harming the bird further – they are fragile!
– Always support the bird’s body from below – never lift or carry by wings, legs, neck or tail.
– Small birds can be contained in a clean shoebox with air holes, nestlings in a basket or bag lined with a towel.
– Larger birds may need a large towel loosely placed over them to contain safely.
– Wear clean gloves if possible, and/or use a clean hand towel or cloth to pick up. Avoid direct handling.
– Keep handling to an absolute minimum; the less the better to reduce stress.
– Keep the bird in a warm, quiet, dark place like a closet or box until you can transfer to a wildlife rehabilitator. Don’t give food or water.
– Arrange transportation to a wildlife expert ASAP – injured birds need professional diagnosis and care.
– Thoroughly wash hands, towel, gloves, etc after handling, as birds can carry diseases transmittable to humans and pets.
Follow these practices minimizes risks to the bird and yourself when handling is absolutely necessary for its safety and transfer to get proper care.
Who to Contact for Help with Found Birds
Here are good options for finding qualified local assistance with an injured, orphaned or concerning found bird:
– Wildlife rehabilitators – individuals specially trained and licensed to care for wild animals. Your state wildlife agency can refer you.
– Wildlife rehabilitation centers – facilities set up to triage and treat wild animals.
– Animal control/humane societies – may have wildlife rehabilitation resources or be able to dispatch animal control officers.
– State wildlife agency – department of fish and wildlife can connect you to rehabilitators they trust and oversee.
– Nature centers or zoos – some have wildlife rehabilitation programs.
– Wildlife veterinary clinics – veterinarians that specialize in treating wild animals.
– Audubon Society or other birding groups often have networks to help rescued birds.
Don’t waste time – injured birds need quick diagnosis and treatment, and orphaned babies need timely feedings. Call for assistance right away or take the bird to an approved location per their instructions.
Are There Any Risks When Handling Birds?
Yes, a few health precautions to note when handling found birds:
– Salmonella – Common bacteria in bird droppings. Use gloves and wash hands after.
– Mites or ticks – Small parasites that live on birds. Wear long sleeves and monitor skin after.
– Fleas and lice – Other bird parasites. Keep birds separate from own pets.
– Disease transmission – Birds can carry bacteria and viruses transmittable to people and pets, like bird flu. Minimize handling and wash up after.
– Defensive attacks – Some birds may bite, scratch or dive bomb if feeling threatened. Cover their head to calm, or use a towel to pick up.
– Nest problems – Don’t linger near nests so parents continue to return and feed.
So exercise reasonable care – wear gloves if possible, avoid direct contact between the bird and skin/mouth/eyes, and thoroughly wash anything that came in contact with the bird as well as your own hands and arms after handling. Take small safety precautions but don’t allow worry to prevent assisting a bird in need!
Can I Keep a Found Baby Bird?
It’s best not to attempt caring for orphaned or injured baby birds yourself. Their survival depends on specialized feeding, housing, temperature, etc that’s extremely difficult for non-experts to provide. Plus, it’s illegal in the U.S to keep native wild birds unless permitted as a rehabilitator.
If the parents are truly gone or unable to care for their young, the kindest thing you can do is get the babies to licensed wildlife rehabilitators as quickly as possible. They have the training, resources and experience to give orphaned birds their best chance.
Helping Baby Birds Leave the Nest
It can be tempting to try and help baby birds leave their nest if they seem “ready” before fully fledging. But keep in mind:
– Premature fledging decreases their chance of survival significantly.
– Parent birds know best when offspring are ready for takeoff!
– Leaving the nest early leads to inadequate flying skills, lack of strength, missed feedings, vulnerability to elements and predators.
– Even if baby birds are mostly feathered, parents are still tending, feeding and protecting the nest.
So err on the side of caution and avoid intervening in natural fledging. The parents’ timeline ensures the greatest success. If you must act due to imminent dangers, involve a rehabilitator immediately.
Preventing Bird Strikes on Windows
Birds accidentally flying into windows cause millions of deaths per year. Here are tips to make your windows bird-friendly:
– Use decals, tape or string on the outside to make glass more visible to birds. Arrange in close, tight patterns.
– Avoid outdoor feeders positioned to cause birds to fly toward windows. Place feeders within 3 feet of windows or over 30 feet away.
– Move indoor plants away from windows so birds don’t target the greenery on the other side.
– Install external screens, shutters, sun shades or awnings to break up window reflections.
– Apply UV-reflective, bird-deterrent films to windows to make the glass visible to birds.
– Keep windows clean from dirt and external condensation which can mimic vegetation and sky reflections.
A combination of external applications to warn birds away and adjustments to landscaping and interior design near windows can significantly reduce collisions. Be part of the solution for this major threat to bird populations!
Get Involved with Bird Conservation
Want to help birds beyond occasional found bird rescue? Here are great ways to support bird populations overall:
– Providing bird-friendly habitat
Add native plants, birdbaths, nest boxes, and other habitat enhancements to your yard, school, business or community green spaces.
– Volunteering with conservation groups
Take part in bird counts, habitat restoration efforts, community science surveys and other citizen science initiatives.
– Supporting bird-related causes
Donate to, follow and share news from groups like Audubon Society, American Bird Conservancy and other nonprofits advocating for birds.
– Keeping cats indoors
Pet cats allowed outdoors are a major driver of bird declines through predation. Transition kitty to indoor enrichment!
– Reducing collisions
Follow the tips above to make windows, buildings, vehicles, towers and other structures safer for birds.
– Drinking shade-grown coffee
Help protect migratory songbird habitat on wintering grounds in Latin America.
– Using fewer pesticides
Chemical use endangers birds both directly and by reducing insect prey populations they rely on.
– Buying bird-friendly products
Support brands that contribute to habitat, research and conservation efforts through purchasing partnerships.
We all have a role to play in protecting birds – from citizens to businesses to government. Get involved however you can! The birds will thank you for it.
Conclusion
Discovering an injured or baby bird can be alarming, but don’t panic! Take a moment to assess the situation. Healthy fledglings on the ground may simply be learning to fly under their parents’ supervision. If the bird clearly needs help, contain it gently without excessive handling and immediately contact a local wildlife rehabilitator or wildlife center. They have the training and resources to give the bird its best chance while complying with laws around handling native wild animals. With some basic knowledge and quick action, you can intervene when necessary while avoiding disturbing healthy bird families. And don’t forget there are many other meaningful ways to aid bird conservation beyond assisting found birds in distress. Be observant of bird activity in your area, provide habitat, volunteer, support advocacy groups, keep felines indoors and spread awareness to protect our precious feathered friends.
