How To Deal With Injured Birds

Almost every day weak and injured wild birds are being bought in to animal shelters by folks who found them on streets, parks, or in their own property. Unfortunately not many people know how to handle injured birds properly and end up killing the bird instead of saving its life. Here are some tips on how you can help save an injured wild bird if you come across it?

How You Can Help Those Injured Birds

Common injuries birds suffer are to their wings or legs. If you find an injured bird that cannot fly, get expert help immediately.

If help is unavailable, do not try to pop it in a cage to transport it, as it may thrash around in panic and injure itself further. Instead, immobilize it very gently by carefully wrapping it from the shoulders down in a large handkerchief, if it is a small bird.

Larger birds (crow-size upwards) can be wrapped in an old T-shirt. Place the bird in a ventilated cardboard box lined with more old T-shirt for cushioning and keep it still.

If it is a migratory or rare species, your local authorized animal rescued will want to nurse it back to health and later release it, or keep it (if it is incapable of fending for itself). If it is a very common bird like a sparrow, mynah, or pigeon, take it to a vet. If you cannot afford a vet’s services, and the bird looks too injured to survive, do the humane thing and bring it to your local SPCA to have it put to sleep.

Unless you are a bird expert, do not try to treat a wild or migratory bird on your own, as these creatures need specialized diets and care.