What do I do with a sick wild bird?
Place the wild bird in a cardboard box and cover it with a lid or towel. Then place the box in a cool, safe place to give the wild bird time to recover from the shock of the injury. Be careful when handling the injured bird; use gloves to protect yourself from any disease or germ. 3.
Who do I call about an injured bird?
London Wildlife Protection – for injured wildlife anywhere in London call 07909 795 064; St Tiggywinkles Animal Hospital, Aston Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP17 8AF (call 01844 292 292); Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service, Trent Country Park, Enfield (call 0208 344 2785);
What to do if you find a sick or injured bird?
What type of bird is it? Choose the sick or injured bird below to learn more about what to do.
What are the symptoms of a sick bird?
Sick birds, however, may show several symptoms such as: Dull eyes Fluffed feathers when it is not cold Swollen eyes or membranes Wet or crusty eye, mouth or nose discharge Dirty, matted feathers Missing feathers Visible injuries, lesions or wounds
What to do if a bird has a beak injury?
Begin by examining the head and check for any sign of eye injury, abrasions, beak injury etc. Check the neck feathers for feather loss or matting which may indicate a wound. Feel the body, paying attention to the breast (keel) bone and breast (pectoral) muscles.
How can you tell if your bird has an eye injury?
If you notice that your bird seems to be squinting, it is smart to take it as a sign that your bird is in discomfort, and it may not necessarily be related to an eye injury. Birds are normally highly active, so any sign of lethargy, depression, or fatigue should be taken as potentially serious.
What happens if a bird is sick or injured?
A sick or injured bird will become prey for another animal, helping to assure the predator’s survival for another day or two. Mortality in wildlife populations is normally very high. Research shows that in many species, fewer than 50 percent of baby birds survive to adulthood.
What causes an adult Songbird to get injured?
Injured Birds. Adult songbirds can become injured and sick for a multitude of reasons. The most common reasons include getting attacked by house cats, being hit by cars, window strikes, bacterial and viral illnesses contracted at bird feeders, and many more.
What’s the best way to help an injured bird?
If you’re unable to contact a wildlife rehabilitator, place the bird out of sight with as little handling as possible and let nature take its course. Well-intended attempts to help an injured or sick animal often result in prolonged suffering and distress.
When do injured birds fly off the ground?
This is normal behavior; the bird is not injured and will fly off in time. During the fall, winter, and early spring (September to mid-May), a bird on the ground unable to fly is probably injured. Slowly approach the bird, and if it doesn’t fly away when you’re within 10 feet or so, you can assume something’s wrong.
