Shopping CartDavid's Wild Bird News!Birdwatchin's BUZZ BlogSecurity + TrustMy Wishlist
 

Wild Bird Supplies, Backyard Bird Feeding & Bird Watching Resource
FREE Newsletter
BirdWatchin' BUZZ Blog
SHOP for Backyard Bird Feeding and Bird Watching Supplies
Wild Bird Feeders
Shop BIRD FEEDERS BY MANUFACTURER
SHOP BIRD HOUSES / NEST BOXES
Bird Houses By Manufacturer
Wild Bird Food
Bird Feeders - The Best for Attracting Wild Birds to Your Backyard
Bird Houses
Bird Baths - A Sure-fire Way to Attract Birds to Your Backyard
Backyard Bird Feeding - Types of Food Offered to Wild Birds
BIRDWATCHIN'.COM LEARNING CENTER
  
Bird Watching Binoculars - Basic Information on How to Choose Them
Bird Watching - A Great Outdoor Activity for Kids
Backyard Bird Feeding - Bird Watching & Feeding in Your Backyard, Shop for Wild Bird Supplies
Birdscaping - Creating a Natural Environment to Attract Wild Birds
Fascinating Bird Facts
Wild Birds - Western U.S.
Eastern Birds - Wild Birds That Use Feeders and Bird Houses
Wild Bird Rescue - You've Found a Wild Bird That Needs Help. What Should You Do?
Bluebirds - Attracting, Housing and Feeding a Favorite Backyard Visitor
Feeding Wild Birds in Winter
Contact and Customer Service - Birdwatchin.com
Site Map

 
 Wild Bird Rescue - A Basic Guide
 

Wild Bird Rescue
What the Backyard Bird Watcher Should Know!

When Do You Know if Rescuing a Wild Bird
is Necessary?

Finding a baby bird on the ground is a dilemma ... what to do?  Should you pick it up and rescue it?  Or leave it be?  Here is a basic guideline to help you decide if wild bird rescue is necessary. For more help go to The Wildlife Rehabilitation Information Directory.

  • If the baby bird is feathered and hopping around the best course would be to leave it alone.  Many birds leave their nest (fledge) before they can fly.  If this is what you observe chances are good the parents are nearby and watching over their baby.  By interfering you may lessen it's chances for survival.  Try to rein in your parental instinct and walk a little distance away and watch.  You may see the parents rush to the baby and then you'll have some assurance that everything will be okay, and "rescuing" the baby would only interefere with its natural progress.


  • One word of caution.  If there are cats that run loose in your neighborhood, it may be best to take a good look to see if any are lurking nearby.  If that is the case, remove the cat or collect the baby bird and try to return it to its nest.  That way it will have a chance to try its wings again when it may be safer.


  • If you find a featherless baby that has obviously fallen out of it's nest, the best thing to do is simply put it back.  If you find a whole nest that has fallen from a tree try to replace the nest as near to it's original location as possible.  It's very likely the parents will return.  If they do, bird rescue won't be necessary.


  • If you find it necessary to pick up a baby bird to replace it in the nest don't be concerned about human contact.  The parent birds will not reject or attack the baby if you have touched it.


  • If you find a baby bird that is obviously injured or you can't replace it in the nest for some reason, this is what to do:
    Initial rescue:  First, put it in a dark, secure box or paper bag lined with soft tissue.  Provide ventilation.  The darkness will calm the bird and help relieve it's stress.  Keep children and pets away.  Do not attempt to give it food or water as that can do irreparable harm or cause death. 
    Second Stage Rescue: For emergency treatment and care contact your local wildlife rehabilitator. If you cannot find one yourself The Wildlife Rehabilitation Information Directory can help you find a rehabilitator in your area.  It is against the law to keep native wildlife even if it is injured.  Wildlife Rehabilitators are trained and licensed to care for our navtive birds and animals.


  • If you cannot locate a rehabilitator contact your local veterinarian.  At the very least they should provide someone that will be of help, or hey may care for the bird themselves.  Do not keep the baby bird.  It is against the law to keep native wildlife in captivity.  If the bird is injured it will need professional help.
The same guideline is true if you find an injured adult bird.  In some cases, an adult might look injured or dead, but it is actually just stunned or perhaps unconscious.  This is common for birds that hit windows, but not hard enough to be killed.  If you find such a bird, and it is breathing without difficulty, place it in a dark box as described above.  Give it time to recover on its own and then release it.  If the bird has recovered satisfactorily it will fly away when uncovered, so be sure to take the box outside before opening it.  Release th bird in a quiet place away from pets and children.  If the bird is injured and unable to recover call your local wildlife rehabilitator as described above.
Cute drawing of bird houses hanging from a tree branch
Site Mailing List  Sign Guest Book  View Guest Book 
Birdwatchin'.com is Devoted to Your Passion for Wild Birds!

BirdWatchin'.com
Based in sunny Southern California
Post Office Box 452
Fallbrook, CA 92088
Phone: 760 723-8667
Email: shari@birdwatchin.com

Copyright 2005 - 2011 - BirdWatchin'.com - All Rights Reserved

BirdWatchin'.com is a 1-stop online resource for backyard bird feeding and bird watching enjoyment.  Our website is devoted to providing good information to help you enjoy your hobby.  We are pleased to offer the best wild bird supplies at a savings and a secure and dependable online shopping experience with exceptional customer service.

powered by WEB Estore SiteBuilder
Web Site Build Themselves with WEB Estore
SECURE SHOPPING 

Authorize.net Seal

Birdwatchin'.com shopping is 100% secure.  We use the latest and highest level of security technology - SSL 128-bit encryption to process Shopping Cart orders.  You will receive confirmation by the DigiCert security seal on the credit card information page in the Shopping Cart prior to check-out.  For more information visit our FAQ and Customer Service pages.

Internet Merchant Accounts - MerchantPlus.com 
24-hour Ordering
Visit Us Again!