I Found a Bird … Now What?
Thank you for caring for one of Nature’s wild creatures. Birdsacre is not able to accept birds for rehabilitation and care at this time. Please take a few minutes to read the information that follows to help achieve the best outcome for the bird you have found.
Before you act, keep your distance and take a moment to determine if the bird actually needs help.
From a wild bird’s point of view, people are potential predators. Our large size, loud voices, and fast movements are frightening. Birds naturally do not like to be touched or petted.
If an adult bird does not move away from you as you approach, there is cause for concern. If it permits your touch, it is stunned, severally injured, or unable to care for itself. To reduce its stress, it should be handled and spoken to as little as possible.
Baby Bird Basics: If You Care, Leave Them There
Separating baby birds from their parents can severely reduce their chances of survival. Often the parents are nearby and ready to take care of the baby – even if it is out of the nest – but scared to approach because people are too close.
Uninjured NESTLINGS cannot perch, stand, or fly, and should be returned to the nest immediately.
If this is not possible, create a nest from a berry box (or similar) lined with dry paper towels and place it in a high, secure place near the original nest site.
Watch from a distance for the parents to visit the nestling. If the parents do not appear after 30 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the size of the nestling, contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately.
Uninjured FLEDLINGS no longer need the nest, have their feathers, and are practicing their flight skills. They may appear unable to fly, but soon will.
They usually are best left alone (unless truly threatened by traffic, animals, children, etc., or if they are injured).
If the bird is healthy and safe, monitor the situation from a distance for a few hours to see if the parents are around – they usually are close by and helping the fledgling learn to do what birds do.
If Intervention is Necessary
Until you are in contact with a rehabilitator, keep the bird quiet, warm and away from loud disturbances. Ideally, put it in a box with a crumpled cloth towel so that the bird can nestle in and stabilize itself, but have room to breathe and move. A shoebox is a good size for a songbird or baby bird; you will need a larger and sturdier box for a larger bird. Cover the box with a fitted lid that has a few holes for ventilation. Place the box in a warm, quiet, darkened room away from pets and children. Disturb the bird as little as possible until you get advice from the wildlife rehabilitator.
Contact a local wildlife rehabilitator: Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife rehabilitator webpage offers contact information for certified wildlife rehabilitators across the state of Maine, as well as information about what to do with injured or orphaned animals and when and how to contact a Game Warden or Wildlife Biologist. Click on the “I Found Injured Wildlife” link toward the bottom of the page to see the list of rehabilitators.
Birdsacre’s focus is on education and we are not able to provide care to injured birds at this time.
Please remember that it is a violation of State and Federal Law to keep injured, wild creatures. Under the Good Samaritan rule, you may rescue birds to transfer them immediately to a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator for proper medical care.
Safety first! Remember, an injured bird is hurt, but not incapacitated. It could still harm you.
When dealing with raptors with sharp talons, or herons with long necks and bills, it is advised to call your local game warden or police for help capturing the bird.
Prepare a box that is large enough so the raptor can settle inside, and still have enough space to breathe and move. A pet crate is ideal, as long as you can get the bird inside the opening without causing injury. Place a towel in the bottom and provide extra towels for support around the body if needed. If using a cardboard box, add airholes and prepare to secure the box top with tape when the bird is inside.
When handling the raptor, wear heavy leather gloves. Toss a towel over a bird’s head to help it relax and become docile. With a firm hold around the wings and above the feet place the bird in the box.
Common Injuries
Window Strikes may take time to recover. Place the bird out of danger, or in a shoe box in a quiet place to see if it recovers in half an hour to an hour. If the bird is unable to fly after a few hours contact a wildlife rehabilitator.
Up to 1 billion birds per year are killed in building collisions. You can help birds avoid window strikes by attaching ultraviolet decals, netting, or something similar to the window exterior. Some companies make special window glass to deter bird strikes. Cornell Lab’s All About Birds and the American Bird Conservancy have resources to help you learn more about why birds strike windows and ways you can help reduce collisions.
Cat Bites that puncture the skin of song birds are lethal due to the septic quality of cat saliva. Most birds will appear fine, but quickly grow sick and die with 24 to 48 hours. Antibiotics are critical. If you suspect a bird has been bitten by a cat contact a rehabilitator
Between 1.3 and 4.0 billion birds are killed each year in the United States by feral and free-ranging pet cats. You can help reduce bird injuries from cats by keeping your cat indoors. The American Bird Conservancy has more information about the impact of outdoor cats on birds.
Car Strikes often result in a bird on the side of the road that appears stunned. Visually assess the wings, eyes, body posture, feet, and alertness. Are the wings symmetrical? Does one hang down? Are there any signs of blood? Are the eyes closed? Is the bird lethargic? Do not touch the bird without proper gear, unless it is necessary, and be conscious of your own safety. Call a wildlife rehabilitator if the bird appears stunned and is not regaining alertness, or appears injured.
Up to 340 million birds die annually from vehicle collisions on roads in the United States. You can help reduce the number of birds hit by cars by making sure food waste and trash don’t end up on the road side, where they may attract rodents. These, in turn, can attract owls and other raptors who may collide with cars when they are hunting rodents and other small wildlife. Learn more from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.