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How to deal with injured or orphaned birds
If you need immediate assistance, please call the Wildlife Clinic at: (401) 294-6363
First, make sure
that human intervention is needed
If the bird exhibits any of the
characteristics below, or is in the following situations, it needs help:
- Blood or visible injuries
- Cat or dog attacks (even if bird can still fly)
- Critter stationary in the road
- Window strike birds who do not fly away after a
half hour or if they are lying on their side or back (see below)
- Critters that remain in the same place on the ground
for an extended amount of time
Intervention with a window strike
bird is needed when:
- Injury is obvious, like a wing drooping or blood
visible anywhere
- The bird is laying on its side or back
- The bird is in a dangerous place, like a
sidewalk or road
- The bird is huddled and “fluffed up” with its
head tucked under a wing
- The bird remains stationary in the same place
for more than a half an hour.
Lastly, one rule of thumb we often use in
determining if human intervention is necessary:
If an ADULT wild bird or animal can
be easily caught, they most likely need help (this does not include instances when wildlife becomes caught in traps
or trash barrels, etc). If a slow
moving human can catch them, hungry predators will be able to, as well. Also, be certain you are not capturing a
fledgling bird that may not be great at flying, yet. (See baby bird information).
I’ve determined that
the bird I have needs help, now what?
Make sure all pets remain inside!
To capture an injured adult bird:
- Your first priority is to insure your own
safety. No adult wild bird wants to be
caught, so they will attempt to get away or attack to prevent capture! In a bird’s mind, you are no more (despite
your good intentions) than a huge predator. Some of the more dangerous species
include raptors (hawks and owls), cormorants, heron, loons and egrets.
- Raptors will attempt to use their talons to
fight you off , so be certain their entire body is covered with a towel, etc,
when picking them up. Be aware of where
their feet are at all times.
- Sea birds, like cormorants, heron, loons and
egret will use their spear-like beaks to jab at you, which will include your
face and eyes. Make certain birds with
these types of beaks have their heads well covered.
- Gently place the bird in a box in which soft,
clean cloth is folded (t-shirts work well). Make certain that there is sufficient air ventilation by poking holes in
the lid or sides prior to placing the bird inside. Keep box in a quiet area, away from pets and
people to reduce stress.
Once you have captured an adult
bird, avoid further contact. Do not
attempt to feed or give water. Call the Wildlife Clinic at (401) 294-6363 for
your nearest rehabilitator.
Please keep in mind that broken bones can often be corrected
if treated by a trained professional PROMPTLY, before the break heals in the
wrong position. Holding onto an injured or orphaned wildlife is not only illegal, but will
greatly reduce its chances for survival!
BABY BIRDS:
In Rhode Island, baby bird season extends from March through October
each year, with slight variations depending upon weather. Most species begin nesting in April and May so
that they may raise their young throughout the summer months in time for fall
migration. This means that major tree or
shrub pruning should be accomplished prior to or after nesting season. It is illegal to disturb most species of
nesting birds according to federal law and most legitimate tree and landscaping services know this. Keep in mind that
most fledgling song birds leave the nest (and don’t return) by the time they
are 12 to 20 days old.
If you’ve found a
baby bird on the ground:
Many of our baby bird intakes each
season are due to their being found on the ground, porch, road, etc. Sometimes these babies are able to be put
back into the nest if the circumstances are right, i.e, nest is reachable and
baby is in good shape.
Babies should not be re-nested if they are:
- If nest was attacked by a predator
- Baby had any contact with a cat or dog
In these instances:
- Keep the baby warm and safe
- Call the Wildlife Hotline at (401)
294-6363 , or your nearest rehabilitator immediately
- Do not
give food or water unless directed to do so
Fledgling Birds:
Most people do not realize that
many birds are unable to fly when they leave the nest. Healthy
fledgling birds that have left the nest are mostly feathered, alert and can hop
a bit. Mom and Dad continue to feed
them while they are on the ground. It is
imperative to keep cats indoors at this time, as the babies have no defense and
are unable to get away. Adult birds have
been killed by cats in their attempt to protect their babies.
If a fledgling bird is in the road or in an unsafe place:
- Gently move to the side of the road or nearby
safety. NEVER move a baby any distance
since they will starve if the parent birds cannot find them. In other words, do not move a baby bird from
the front yard to the backyard because you feel it may be safer there.
- Once a baby bird is moved, monitor to be certain
that the parents know where it is to prevent starvation.
Replacing a downed
nest:
Sometimes nests are dislodged or
blown from trees or shrubs. AS BIRDS DO NOT HAVE A GREAT SENSE OF
SMELL, HANDLING THE NEST OR BABY BIRDS DOES NOT PREVENT THE PARENTS FROM
RETURNING. This is an “old wives tale”!
If the nest remains intact:
- Wedge it back into the place it originally
occupied or in a space as close as possible.
- Make sure all the babies appear alert and
uninjured. Often, when nests come down
in a storm, the babies will be wet and cold. If the babies feel cold to the touch, take them from the ground or
nest. Gently place them on a bunched
t-shirt next to a water bottle filled with HOT water, then covered with a
sock. The idea is to very gradually
re-warm. You will note that once they
are warm to the touch, they will become more lively and probably gape (open
their mouths) for food. If one or all of
the babies remain lethargic or has visible injuries, immediately call the Wildlife Hotline at (401) 294-6363, or your
nearest rehabilitator.
Removing a nest
from a roofline or a vent:
Sometimes house construction or
repairs uncover a nest of baby birds or mammals (See mammal information) that
must be removed. For the best outcome in
these instances, it is best to contact a rehabilitator immediately.
To remove baby birds from vents:
- Thoroughly wash and dry a large clothes
detergent bottle or gallon size milk bottle.
- Cut a 6 inch U shaped slit half way up the front
and fold the flap up a bit to create an “awning”. Also poke nail holes in the bottom so that
any rain that gets in can drain.
- Nail the container alongside or above the vent
hole.
- Carefully collect ALL the babies from the vent,
along with any nest material. Any babies
left in the vent will starve to death.
- Put the
nest material in the container and place babies in the nest.
- Cover vent with hardware cloth (metal mesh)
available at hardware stores, so that no one re-nests in the vent.
- Watch from a distance to be certain that mom
assumes care again. If after an hour or
so, mom has not approached the babies, call a rehabilitator.
IT IS AGAINST STATE
AND FEDERAL LAW TO ATTEMPT TO RAISE WILD BIRDS WITHOUT PROPER LICENSING AND
TRAINING. BABY SONG BIRDS REQUIRE
FEEDING EVERY 15 MINUTES FROM DAWN TO DARK TO DEVELOP PROPERLY. A PROPER DIET FOR WILD SONG BIRD BABIES IS
NOT AVAILABLE AT PET STORES, NOR ARE PET STORE EMPLOYEES KNOWLEDGEABLE IN THE
REARING OF WILD BIRDS. EACH SPECIES HAS
DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS TO SURVIVE AND WILL NOT SURVIVE FOR VERY LONG WITH
INADEQUATE NUTRITION.
Please call the
Wildlife Hotline at (401) 294-6363 if you require any assistance or have any questions
regarding baby birds.
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