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.

Related Topics

• 9 Tips on Buying Small Pets

Although these tips are universal to buying any domestic pet, nonetheless it is still good to take note of them anywhere.

Take Note On These Tips When Buying Small Pets

1. Get an animal only if you are ready for the responsibility of pet ownership.
2. Learn about the animal you intend to keep from friends, books, and the Internet.
3. The breeder should be able to supply useful information about the animal. Don’t buy from casual “backyard” breeders. If possible, adopt one from your local shelter—not all are catered to abandoned dogs and cats. Unless you are looking for Iguana!
4. Overcrowded conditions (e.g. 10 rabbits in a small cage) promote the spread of diseases. View the animal’s current living conditions before you buy.
5. The animal should look active and alert, not skin and bones. There should be no visible bare patches or scabs on the skin or excessive discharge from eyes or nose.
6. Look out for fluid-like or mucous stools, which signal diarrhea.
7. Guinea pigs may have parasites like fur mites, which appear as small, dark specks on the fur—if you watch closely you’ll see them move!
8. Never buy underage animals. Pet stores are not allowed to sell rabbits below four weeks old or those smaller than six inches from head to tail. These animals still need their mothers’ milk and may die without it.
9. Don’t feel the pressure of buying the pet by shrewd sale tactics such as, “It’s a popular pet,” “It’s has unique marking,” “They sell like hotcake.” If you feel you’re being “pressured,” dismiss yourself from the pet store. Come back another day and see if you still have the same desire to own that pet.

Related Topics

• What Are The Best Food For Turtles?
• Rabbit: Holland Lop
• Common Turtle Diseases: What You Should Know
• Why Iguanas Might be the Best Pet Ever?
• How To Potty Train Your Rabbit
• Basics On Hamster Characteristics
• What To Look For In A Healthy Green Iguana – Part 3