If you find an injured bird in Missouri, there are a few options for who you can call to help the bird get the care it needs. In this article, we’ll provide some quick answers about who to contact for an injured bird in Missouri, along with more details on the different organizations and resources available.
Quick Answers
Here are quick answers to the question “Who do I call for an injured bird in Missouri?”:
- Contact a wildlife rehabilitator – There are many licensed wildlife rehabilitators throughout Missouri who can care for injured birds. Use the Missouri Department of Conservation’s rehabilitator directory to find one near you.
- Call the Missouri Department of Conservation – The MDC fields calls about injured wildlife and can provide guidance on next steps. Their hotline number is 573-522-4115.
- Contact the Humane Society – Local humane societies may be able to assist with an injured bird or help connect you to a wildlife rehabilitator.
- Call animal control – Your local animal control agency may be able to respond to an injured bird situation and ensure the bird gets to a wildlife rehabilitator.
Wildlife Rehabilitators
The best option for an injured bird in Missouri is to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Rehabilitators are trained to properly handle wild animals, provide medical treatment, and support the animals until they can be released back to the wild.
There are over 100 licensed wildlife rehabilitators throughout Missouri. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) maintains a directory of all licensed rehabilitators in the state. This makes it easy to find a rehabilitator near you.
To access the MDC rehabilitator directory:
- Go to the MDC website: mdc.mo.gov
- Click “Nature & Education” then “Wildlife Rehabilitators” in the dropdown menu
- Enter your city or zip code to search for local rehabilitators
The directory provides contact information and lists the types of animals each rehabilitator works with. Look for rehabilitators who specifically handle birds. When you call a rehabilitator, describe the bird’s condition and the circumstances in which you found it. The rehabilitator will advise you on next steps to safely capture the bird and arrange for transfer to their care facility.
Key Tips for Working with Rehabilitators
- Call in advance before capturing an injured bird so the rehabilitator can advise and prepare
- Handle the bird as little as possible and use gloves/towels to restrain if needed
- Keep the bird in a dark, quiet space until transport to the rehabilitator
- Get the bird to the rehabilitator promptly as delays could worsen its condition
With the expertise of wildlife rehabilitators, injured birds have the best chance of being rehabilitated and released back to the wild.
Calling the Missouri Department of Conservation
Another option is to call the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) for guidance on an injured bird. The MDC has a hotline manned by trained staff who can provide information on next steps.
The MDC Wildlife Division hotline number is: 573-522-4115
Some key information to have ready when you call the MDC hotline:
- Your location in Missouri
- Description of the injured bird and its condition
- How you discovered the injured bird
- What you’ve done so far (e.g. contained it, provided warmth)
The MDC staff can provide advice on safely capturing injured birds if needed. They typically recommend contacting a licensed wildlife rehabilitator to care for the bird. MDC staff can check their rehabilitator directory and give you the contact information for rehabilitators in your area.
If unable to locate an available rehabilitator, the MDC may be able to arrange for pickup of the bird or coordinate transfer to get it the care it needs.
When to Call the MDC
- Unable to find/reach a wildlife rehabilitator
- Need guidance on containing or capturing an injured bird
- Have an injured migratory bird
- Have questions related to federal/state wildlife laws
Calling the MDC provides an easy way to get pointed in the right direction for an injured bird situation.
Contacting Local Humane Societies
Some local humane societies and animal shelters may also be able to assist with an injured bird in Missouri. However, their capabilities vary by organization.
Many humane societies operate primarily to take in stray, lost and abandoned domestic animals like dogs and cats. They may not have staff trained specifically in handling wild animals like birds.
That said, some humane societies do have wildlife rehabilitation capabilities or partnerships with wildlife rehabilitators. It’s worth calling your local humane society to explain you have found an injured bird and ask if they can help or direct you to someone who can.
Key Information to Share with a Humane Society
- Type and condition of the injured bird
- How and where you found it
- What you’ve done so far to contain/care for it
- Your contact information
At minimum, humane societies can often provide referrals to wildlife rehabilitators even if they cannot directly assist with an injured bird.
Calling Animal Control
Most cities and counties operate an animal control department to enforce animal-related laws, respond to stray domestic animals, address wildlife complaints, etc. If you have found an injured bird, animal control may be able to help.
The capabilities of animal control vary by jurisdiction, but they may be able to:
- Send an officer to retrieve the injured bird
- Transport the bird to a wildlife rehabilitation facility
- Provide approved containment guidelines until the bird can be transferred
- Connect you with licensed wildlife rehabilitators
Check your city or county government website for contact information for your local animal control department. Explain that you have an injured wild bird in need of care. Depending on their resources, they may be able to directly respond or will advise you on next steps.
What to Have Ready When Calling Animal Control
- Your location/address
- Description of the bird species and its condition
- How you discovered the injured bird
- What you’ve done so far (e.g. contained it, provided warmth)
Having this key information will help animal control determine the appropriate response and ensure the bird gets help as soon as possible.
Other Options for Help
If unable to reach any of the above resources, there a few additional options:
Contact a local poultry organization
Missouri has poultry owner groups that may be able to provide assistance or direction for an injured bird. This includes groups like:
- Missouri Poultry Association
- Missouri Organic Association
- Individual poultry farms
Call a local veterinarian
Avian vets and other veterinarians may be able to provide temporary care for an injured bird if a wildlife rehabilitator cannot be reached. They can also often direct you to rehabilitators.
Call a nearby zoo
Some zoos have staff trained in bird rehabilitation or relationships with wildlife rehabilitators. Call your local zoos to see if they can offer assistance.
As a last resort, be sure to contain the bird in a safe, quiet space and continue trying available resources until the bird can be transferred to proper rehabilitative care.
How to Safely Contain an Injured Bird
Until an injured bird can be transported, it will likely need to be properly contained. Here are some guidelines for safely holding an injured bird until help arrives:
- Use thick gloves/towels to gently pick up the bird and place in a cardboard box or pet carrier. Never grab injured birds barehanded.
- Line the bottom of the box with soft, clean rags or towels.
- Ensure air holes and ventilate the space but keep it a calm, quiet environment.
- Do not try to feed or water the bird.
- Keep the box in a warm, dark place away from noise and other pets.
- Avoid trying to handle or treat an injured bird, as you may inadvertently cause more harm.
Proper short-term containment minimizes stress to the bird while keeping it secure until a rehabilitator or other trained resource can take over care.
Conclusion
Discovering an injured bird in Missouri can be worrying, but there are resources ready to help. Licensed wildlife rehabilitators are best equipped for the specialized care injured birds require. The MDC, humane societies, animal control agencies, veterinarians and other organizations can also often assist.
By reaching out for professional guidance and properly containing the bird, you can ensure an injured feathered friend gets the best opportunity for recovery.