Wisconsin is home to a wide variety of bird species, both native and migratory. Unfortunately, birds can become injured due to a number of reasons such as hitting windows, being attacked by predators, becoming entangled in objects, ingesting harmful substances, and more. If you find an injured bird in Wisconsin, it’s important to act quickly to give it the best chance of survival. But where exactly should you take an injured bird to receive proper care and rehabilitation? There are a few good options across the state.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers
The first and often best place to bring an injured bird is to a wildlife rehabilitation center. These facilities specialize in caring for sick, injured and orphaned wild animals with the goal of releasing them back to the wild once healed and able. There are several to choose from in Wisconsin:
| Wildlife Rehabilitation Center | Location |
|---|---|
| Wild Instincts | Rhinelander |
| Northwoods Wildlife Center | Minocqua |
| Raptor Education Group Inc. | Antigo |
| Wisconsin Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center | Milwaukee |
| Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary | Green Bay |
| Four Lakes Wildlife Center | Madison |
| Sauk Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Center | Prairie du Sac |
These facilities have trained staff and volunteers, proper caging and housing for the birds, and all the medical supplies needed to care for injured and orphaned birds. They can figure out what is wrong, provide any needed treatment, feed and house the birds until healed, and ultimately release them back to the wild.
Animal Hospitals/Clinics
Some regular animal hospitals and clinics may also accept injured wild birds, especially if no wildlife rehab center is nearby. Call ahead to see if they will take in an injured bird and have the knowledge and resources to properly treat it. Their focus is often more on domestic animals and pets, but many will still help wildlife when they can.
Humane Societies
Local humane societies sometimes take in injured and orphaned wild animals, depending on their facilities and training. They may have partnerships with wildlife rehabbers as well. Call ahead to check if the humane society near you accepts wild birds and can provide proper care.
Veterinary Schools
The University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine has a wildlife rehabilitation program that takes in injured and orphaned wild animals, including birds. They have students and experts that can provide medical treatment and care. Give them a call to see if they can accept the bird you’ve found.
Department of Natural Resources
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources generally does not directly care for injured birds, but they may be able to point you towards the nearest licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Give your regional office a call for recommendations.
How to Capture an Injured Bird
If you come across an injured bird in Wisconsin, here are some tips on how to safely capture it for transport to a wildlife rehabilitation facility:
Supplies Needed
– Thick gloves for protection
– Towel, blanket, or box to wrap the bird in
– Pet carrier, cardboard box with air holes, or other safe container to transport the bird
Approach the Bird Slowly
Move towards the bird quietly and gently. Avoid making sudden movements that could startle or stress the bird further. The more calmly you approach, the easier capture will be.
Protect Yourself
Even injured birds can bite and scratch to protect themselves. Wear thick gloves and long sleeves when trying to pick up the bird. This ensures its beak and talons don’t injure you.
Cover the Bird
Gently drop the towel or blanket over the bird to block its vision. Or carefully scoop it up in a box top or lid. This calms the bird and keeps it from fleeing.
Wrap Up the Bird
Keep the bird wrapped up in the blanket or towel to restrict its wing flapping and movements. This prevents further injury as you transport it.
Hold Securely
Cradle the wrapped bird using both hands. Keep a firm but gentle hold without squeezing. Use a box or pet carrier if needed.
Act Quickly but Calmly
Try to capture the bird swiftly before it can hop or fly away. But avoid being overly loud, forceful or stressful. The more quietly and gently you handle the bird, the better.
How to Transport an Injured Bird
Once you’ve safely captured the injured bird, you’ll need to contain it and get it to a wildlife rehabilitation facility. Here’s how to properly transport a hurt bird:
Prepare a Container
Line a cardboard box or pet carrier with a soft towel or t-shirt. Punch air holes if using a box. Have the container ready to put the bird into.
Limit Movement
Keep the bird wrapped up in the towel or blanket so it stays quiet and still for transport. Restricting movement prevents further injury.
Place in Container
Carefully put the wrapped bird into the prepared box or pet carrier. Line the bottom with a soft layer so the bird doesn’t slip.
Cushion the Bird
Put another soft towel, shirt or blanket loosely over the wrapped bird to cushion it and block its vision. Avoid overly crowding it.
Shelter from Elements
Keep the box or carrier covered with a light cloth to protect the bird from sun, wind, rain, etc. during transport.
Drive Carefully
Drive cautiously and steadily to avoid abrupt stops, turns or swerving that could toss the bird about.
Control Temperature
Keep the car at a moderate temperature between 60-85°F. Switch the heat or AC on if needed.
Go Directly to Facility
Head straight to the wildlife rehabilitation center or other facility. Call ahead so staff is expecting you and ready to treat the bird immediately.
How to Care for an Injured Bird While Waiting
Sometimes it may take a bit before you can get the injured bird to a wildlife rehabilitator or vet clinic. Here’s how to temporarily care for the bird in the meantime:
Shelter in a Box
Place the wrapped bird in a cardboard box lined with a towel. Keep in a warm, quiet spot away from people and pets.
Open Beak if Unconscious
If the bird is unconscious, gently open its beak every few minutes to allow normal breathing.
Hydration if Alert
Use an eyedropper to give the bird a few drops of water if it’s alert and able to swallow on its own. Avoid forcing water.
Don’t Give Food
Don’t try feeding the bird. This can cause aspiration pneumonia if it has internal injuries. Leave that to the experts.
Monitor Carefully
Check on the bird every 10-15 minutes. Make sure it’s breathing and watch for signs of worsening condition.
Keep Warm
Place a heating pad or hot water bottle under part of the box, wrapped in a towel. Keep the temperature around 85°F.
Keep Contained
Ensure the box is secure so the bird can’t escape and harm itself further while waiting for transport.
Limit Noise
Try to keep children and pets away so there is no loud noise to further stress the injured bird.
Act Quickly
Get the bird professional care as soon as you can. Temporary first aid is limited so time is critical.
Signs of an Injured Bird
How can you tell if a bird is hurt and in need of rehabilitation? Watch for these common signs of injury or illness:
Unable to Fly
Does the bird try to fly but fail, or not attempt to fly at all? This often signals an injured wing or other issue grounding it.
Limping or Walking Funny
A limp, unbalanced gait, feet turned inwards or other difficulty walking may indicate a broken or sprained leg, foot injury or neurological problem.
Bleeding/Broken Bones
Visible blood, protruding bones, or obviously bent or drooping wings or legs mean clear physical injuries requiring treatment.
Damaged Beak or Eyes
A beak with missing pieces or cracked open, swollen or injured eyes are cause for concern. The bird likely can’t eat or see well.
Scruffy, Ruffled Feathers
Messy, unkempt feathers can mean the bird is too weak or injured to preen properly.
Sitting Still and Puffed Up
A puffed up bird, shivering and reluctant to move often signals illness, shock or severe weakness.
Unable to Perch
If the bird can’t perch at all and lays on the ground, it likely has an injury or condition impairing its mobility and strength.
Constantly Sleeping
A bird sleeping all day and showing minimal energy even when approached may be seriously ill or have a head injury.
Common Bird Injuries and How They’re Treated
Here are some of the most frequent injuries and issues seen in sick and injured birds brought to wildlife rehabilitators:
Bone Fractures
Birds often fracture bones in their wings or legs due to impacts with cars, windows, buildings, etc. These are set like casts on humans and allowed to heal over several weeks.
Concussions
Birds get head trauma from flying into objects. Rehabilitators allow the brain time to heal itself while monitoring for secondary symptoms.
Lacerations
Cuts and tears in the skin from barbed wire, fences, sharp objects, etc. are cleaned, repaired with sutures/glue, and treated with antibiotics.
Eye Injuries
Damaged eyes or corneas from accidents and fights are medicated with drops and allowed to heal before release.
Feather Damage
Broken blood feathers and ripped out feathers grow back over time with proper nutrients and preening access.
Dislocations
Dislocated shoulders and other joints are set back in place and wrapped to immobilize and heal.
Infections/Disease
Sick birds receive appropriate medications, fluids, and immunity boosting care. Diseased birds are isolated.
Toxin/Poison Ingestion
Toxins are treated by flushing systems, giving absorbents, and providing liver protectants and hydration.
Nestlings/Fledglings
Babies found out of nests are fed, warmed, and raised until ready for release.
Questions to Ask the Rehabilitator
When you bring an injured or orphaned bird into a rehabilitation center, ask the staff these questions to understand what will happen:
What seems to be wrong with the bird?
The rehabilitator will assess the bird’s condition and be able to provide a diagnosis or initial determination of what is wrong, what injuries/illness it has.
What treatment will the bird receive?
Details about the types of veterinary care, medication, food/fluid support, housing, etc. the bird will receive to get healthier.
How long will rehabilitation take?
An approximation for how long until the bird can be released back to the wild, based on its injuries and recovery time needed.
Can I call and check on the bird?
Ask if you can call periodically to get updates on the bird’s recovery and eventual release.
Do you need volunteers?
See if they need any help with tasks like cleaning, feeding, transport, administrative work, etc. Volunteering is very rewarding!
What will its release involve?
Information on when, where and how the release back into the wild will occur once the bird is totally healed.
How can I help wildlife in the future?
Ask for tips on modifying windows and yards to prevent injuries, keeping cats indoors, providing food/water sources, donating, volunteering, etc.
Preventing Bird Injuries
While rehabilitation is critical for already-injured birds, prevention is equally important. Here are tips for reducing hazards to birds in your own backyard and community:
Make Windows Visible
Apply decals, hang strings, use UV liquid or other methods to alert birds to windows so they don’t fly into the glass.
Keep Cats Indoors
Cats let outside kill billions of wild birds annually. For birds’ safety, cats should be kept indoors.
Reduce Pesticide Use
Pesticides not only kill insect pests but also the birds who feed on them. Use natural methods instead.
Properly Discard Fishing Gear
Discarded fishing hooks, lines and nets can entrap and severely injure wildlife. Safely discard gear.
Drive Cautiously
Slow down and watch for birds flying across roads to avoid collisions.
Keep Trash Contained
Covered garbage bins prevent birds from becoming entangled in or choking on disposed waste.
Protect Feeders and Birdbaths
Place feeders and birdbaths away from windows and walls so birds don’t collide with them.
Plant Native Species
Landscape with native plants that provide natural food, shelter and nesting sites for local birds.
Educate Others
Share your knowledge about threats to birds and how your community can protect them.
Conclusion
Birds face many hazards in our human-dominated world, but some simple actions can help protect them from harm. If you do find an injured bird in Wisconsin, don’t hesitate to rescue it and get the help it needs from a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian. With quick transport and proper care, many hurt birds can fully recover and be returned to the wild where they belong. We all have a responsibility to be caring stewards of our native bird species.
