If you find a wild bird that is injured and bleeding, it can be a distressing situation. As an animal lover, your instinct may be to want to help the bird right away. However, it’s important to approach the situation calmly so you can assist the bird properly. Here are some quick tips on what to do if you encounter a bleeding bird:
– Don’t panic. Take deep breaths and assess the situation.
– Wear thick gloves for protection before attempting to handle the bird. A bleeding bird may peck or scratch in an attempt to escape.
– Gently contain the bird with a towel or box to avoid further injury from movement. Limit additional stress.
– Check for active bleeding. Look for wounds and apply direct pressure with a clean towel or cloth if needed.
– Don’t give the bird food or water, as this can cause further issues if the bird needs surgery.
– Call a local wildlife rehabilitation center or avian vet. Experts can best assist injured birds.
– Keep the bird in a quiet, dark place until help arrives. Limit noise and stimulation.
– Wash your hands after handling the bird to prevent potential disease transmission.
How to Approach an Injured, Bleeding Bird
When coming across an injured, bleeding bird, here are some important steps to take:
1. Remain Calm
It’s natural to feel concern and worry when seeing an injured animal, but it’s crucial to remain calm for the bird’s sake. Take deep breaths and assess whether the bird is in immediate, life-threatening danger before deciding on next steps. Rushing or making sudden moves can stress the bird further.
2. Protect Yourself
Birds have sharp talons and beaks and will use them when feeling threatened. Before attempting to handle an injured bird, put on thick gloves and long sleeves for protection from scratches or bites. Safety glasses can also shield your eyes. Containing the bird as quickly and calmly as possible is safest for both of you.
3. Stop Any Severe Bleeding
Look for wounds and bleeding. If there is severe, active bleeding, you’ll need to apply direct pressure firmly with a clean towel or cloth. Maintain this pressure steadily until bleeding slows. Don’t remove bandages if they become blood-soaked; just add more material on top. Pressure is crucial for controlling hemorrhaging.
4. Limit Movement
Prevent any unnecessary movement by containing the bird in a towel, box, or carrier. Restricting mobility helps limit further injury, stress, and blood loss. Use gentle but firm restraint to keep the bird secure until you can get expert help. Avoid excess noise, touching, or agitation.
5. Call for Assistance
Contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center, animal control, avian veterinarian, or wildlife agency for guidance. Let the experts make assessments, provide antibiotics, fluids, pain control, and professional treatment so the bird has the best chance of survival. Time is critical when a bird is bleeding and injured.
How to Make a Temporary Bandage
If a bird is bleeding from an open wound and you can’t get help immediately, you may need to bandage the injury as an emergency measure. Here are some tips:
Materials Needed
– Clean towel, cloth, or gauze
– Non-stick dressing pads
– Gentle tape or self-adhering bandage
– Scissors
– Antibiotic ointment (optional)
Instructions
1. Stop any active bleeding by applying direct pressure with a clean towel or cloth. Maintain steady pressure for 5-10 minutes.
2. Once bleeding slows, do not remove any blood-soaked material. Add more padding on top. This will act as a bandage.
3. If possible, apply a non-stick dressing pad over the wound, under the other padding. This helps absorb blood.
4. Wrap self-adhering bandage material gently but snugly around the injured area to secure the padding in place.
5. Check that bandage is not too tight. It should not restrict breathing or blood flow.
6. If available, antibiotic ointment can be applied before bandaging to prevent infection.
7. Leave bandage in place and get expert help immediately. Don’t try to change dressings yourself.
Key Points
– Use clean materials to prevent infection
– Apply steady pressure to control bleeding
– Restrict movement with a snug but gentle wrap
– Don’t remove soaked bandages, just add more layers
– Get help from a wildlife expert right away
How to Contain an Injured Bird
Once you have controlled any immediate bleeding, the next priority is containing the bird to prevent further injury or escape. Here are some tips:
Use a Towel
An easy way to contain a small-to-medium sized bird is to gently throw a clean towel or light blanket over it. This restricts wing movement. Use a gentle swinging motion to fully cover the bird.
Use a Box or Carrier
For larger birds, or after covering with a towel, carefully transfer the bird into a cardboard box, pet carrier, or ventilated container with air holes. Line it with soft cloths. Secure the lid. Keep in a quiet, warm spot.
Hold the Bird
Only do this if you have protective bird handling gloves and experience. Cradle the bird’s body firmly but gently in both hands, with wings folded against the body to prevent flapping. Control the beak and feet to avoid harm.
Avoid Excess Stress
Move slowly and speak softly when containing an injured bird. Sudden actions will cause panic and further harm. Keep handling to a minimum and limit noise, other pets, and excess stimulation. Drape a cover over the carrier or box to create a dark, peaceful environment while transporting.
Act Quickly But Calmly
Have a plan ready before approaching the bird. Have all materials on hand. The quicker you can safely contain the bird, the less stress it will endure and the sooner it can receive proper medical treatment and rehabilitation. Time is critical.
Where to Take an Injured Bird for Help
When you’ve contained an injured, bleeding bird, where should you bring it for professional assistance? Here are good options:
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
This is the best place to bring native wild birds for treatment. Rehab centers have expertise in providing medical care and rehabilitation with the goal of releasing birds back to the wild. Search for “wildlife rehabilitator” and your location.
Avian Veterinarian
Call around to local vets to find one who specializes in bird care. Many general practice vets are not experienced with bird medicine and anatomy. An avian vet is best equipped to treat serious bird injuries.
Animal Control or Wildlife Agency
Local animal control officers or state wildlife agency personnel may be able to connect you with approved wildlife rehabbers in your area who can care for the injured bird. They may also have resources for transporting wildlife.
Emergency Vet Clinic
If the injury is extremely severe and other options are unavailable or far away, the nearest emergency vet clinic can temporarily stabilize the bird before transfer to a wildlife center or avian vet. This is a last resort but may save a life.
Humane Society
Some Humane Society locations have wildlife rehabilitation programs or connections with rehab networks in the community. Check if this is an option in your area.
What Information to Provide the Wildlife Rehabilitator
When seeking help from a wildlife rehabilitation center or avian vet, provide as much useful information as possible about the injured bird and situation. Here are key details to include:
Description of the Bird
– Type and approximate size – e.g. robin, hawk, goose etc
– Identifying features – color, markings, leg bands etc
– Any visible injuries – wounds, bleeding, wings drooping etc
Your Contact Info
– Full name
– Phone number
– Address of location where bird was found
Details About the Incident
– Date and time you found the bird
– Location details – rural/urban, habitat, risks
– Cause of injury if known – hit window, cat attack etc
– Action taken – controlled bleeding, contained bird etc
Bird’s Current Condition
– Bird’s apparent energy level – weak, alert etc
– Any current bleeding
– Breathing rate – normal, labored etc
– Visible wounds or swelling
– Ability to hold head erect and perch
Providing this level of detail will help the rehabilitator prepare the necessary treatment and care plan for the injured bird. Timely, professional care is essential for the bird’s recovery chances.
How to Transport an Injured Bird to a Rescue Facility
Once connected with a wildlife rehabilitator or avian vet, you’ll need to safely transport the injured bird to their facility. Here are some tips for safe transportation:
Choose a Well-Ventilated Container
Use a cardboard box, animal carrier, or other container with air holes for ventilation. Line it with soft cloths or towels. Birds are fragile so a sturdy, secure enclosure is important.
Limit Movement
Restrict motion by covering the bird with a light towel and securing the container carefully in your vehicle. Don’t leave the bird loose or unattended. Keep the box steady during transport.
Control Temperature
Keep the vehicle interior at a moderate temperature to prevent overheating or chilling the bird. Birds are sensitive to extremes.
Reduce Stress
Keep noise, motion, music, and other stimulation to a minimum. Injured birds need quiet environments to reduce anxiety and prevent shock.
Monitor Condition
Frequently check that the bird is breathing normally and not excessively bleeding during the drive. Contact the rehabilitator immediately if the bird’s condition deteriorates.
Act Quickly but Carefully
Time is crucial when transporting an injured bird, but never sacrifice careful handling and conscientious driving. Get the bird professional care as soon as possible while keeping safety a priority.
Potential Dangers of Handling Injured Birds
While your instinct may be to rescue an injured bird, it’s important to be aware of some potential hazards and risks. Here are possible dangers to understand:
Bites and Scratches
Even severely hurt birds have strong beaks and talons and will use them ferociously when threatened. Thick leather gloves are essential to protect your hands and arms.
Diseases
Wild birds can carry bacteria, parasites, and fungi that can transmit illnesses to humans. Always wash thoroughly after handling and wear gloves. Seek medical care if you become sick.
Fragile Bones
Birds have hollow, delicate bones. Excess or improper handling can easily cause fractures, dislocations, and other harm. Let experts do any required restraint or treatment.
Stress
High anxietylevels can cause circulatory shock, metabolic disorders, and even death in birds. Minimize noise, jostling, and stimulation. Quickly get the bird professional care.
Escape
Even severely injured birds can still flap, scratch, and peck aggressively to escape. Securely contain the bird as described above to prevent additional harm to it or you.
Misdiagnosis
It’s easy for untrained people to miss or misunderstand the severity of bird injuries and health conditions. Always involve wildlife rehabilitators to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
Signs That an Injured Bird Requires Expert Help
How can you recognize when an injured or bleeding bird’s situation is serious enough to require wildlife rehabilitation versus just monitoring the bird? Here are key signs the bird needs professional assistance:
Bleeding
Any amount of significant, active bleeding indicates an urgent need for expert help to assess and address the injury.
Inability to Perch
If the bird can’t grasp onto branches or perches normally, nerve damage or fractures may be present.
Drooping Wings
One or both wings hanging or dragging abnormally signals potential fractures or dislocations.
Lack of Mobility
A bird unable to walk or fly likely has severe muscle, bone, or nerve trauma requiring rehabilitation.
Heavy Breathing
Open-mouth breathing, wheezing, or coughing can indicate respiratory compromise, shock, or pain needing treatment.
Unresponsiveness
A bird unresponsive to gentle stimuli is likely in critical condition requiring emergency care to survive.
Eye Injury
Any eye damage or impaired vision will severely impact a bird’s ability to survive in the wild without rehabilitation.
Conclusion
Encountering an injured, bleeding wild bird can be a scary situation, but staying calm, using gloves for protection, safely containing the bird, and getting expert help maximizes the chance for the bird’s recovery. With some basic emergency response knowledge and quick action focused on reducing further injury and stress, you can assist the bird until wildlife rehabilitators can provide professional medical treatment and supportive care. Utilize local wildlife resources, transport the bird properly, and report details thoroughly so caretakers have the information they need to save the bird’s life. With rehabilitation, many injured birds can fully heal and be successfully released back to the wild.