what to do if you’ve found an injured, sick, or baby bird

We love that our members are very caring and eager to help a bird in need, but we also want to make sure you are educated on how to best approach a situation with an injured, ill or orphaned bird.

** As much as we would love to be able to help every bird, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance does not care for injured, sick and orphaned birds. Please contact the appropriate organization for assistance!**

 
A Bird Collision Corps volunteer helps an injured bird. Photo by Beth Workmaster

A Bird Collision Corps volunteer helps an injured bird (photo by Beth Workmaster/BCC volunteer).

If you have found an injured or sick bird, please visit this site for some helpful information. Other tips:

  • One very common injury that birds experience is a collision with a window. In this case, the bird may just need a little time to regain its senses and will then be able to fly away. Do not try to force any food or water upon the bird.

  • If this the bird hadn’t hit a window, then carefully put the bird into a cardboard box with a lid or a towel over the top of the box. Ensure the bird has access to air, and place it in a cool, safe place.

  • If you have put the bird in a cardboard box, take it outside every 15 minutes and remove the top to see if the bird is able to fly away. If after a few hours it hasn’t flown away and still needs help, you should try to contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.

  • Birds are very sensitive to their surroundings, and can often die from shock. For this reason, it is very important that you are extremely gentle with the bird and the container when you move it.


If you have found an orphaned baby bird, here is some helpful information.

  • The first step is to determine if the bird is truly orphaned. Chicks that have just left the nest, also known as fledglings, are often not fully feathered, have weak flight muscles, and may be fed by their parents outside of the nest.

  • If the bird is not yet a fledgling and has fallen out of the nest prematurely and is not sick/injured, its best chance is to be reunited with its parents. See this page for more information and instructions for doing so.

  • If you still are unsure about how to handle the situation, or don’t feel comfortable enough, call a wildlife rehabilitator and they can help provide more information.


if you find a sick, injured, or orphaned bird, Contact:

Graphic courtesy of Bird and Moon Comics

Graphic courtesy of Bird and Moon Comics

Banner Photo: American Pipit by Fiona Paton