Finding an injured bird can be distressing, but knowing what to do can help give the bird its best chance of survival. There are several steps you should take if you find an injured bird on Long Island. First, assess the situation and determine if the bird is in immediate danger. If it is, carefully move it to a quiet, sheltered spot. Avoid excessive handling of the bird. Then, identify the type of injury or condition of the bird. Look for signs of trauma such as bleeding, broken bones or wings at odd angles. Check to see if the bird is emaciated or infested with parasites. Also observe behavior clues like if the bird is unable to fly, limping, or unbalanced. This information will assist wildlife rehabilitators in providing proper treatment.
Contact a wildlife rehabilitation center as soon as possible. There are several to choose from on Long Island. When you call, describe the condition of the bird and its species if you know it. Follow instructions from the center on capturing and transporting the bird. Many times, they will have you bring the bird into their facility but they may also give instructions on how to safely contain the bird until they can send someone to pick it up. Avoid offering food or water before the bird receives proper medical treatment.
While waiting for help to arrive, make the bird as comfortable as possible by placing it in a ventilated box lined with a soft cloth or towel. Keep the bird in a warm, quiet, and dark place away from people and other animals. This will help reduce stress as the bird awaits professional care. Monitor the bird from outside the box until help arrives.
How to Tell if a Bird is Injured and Needs Help
Some signs that a bird needs help include:
– Inability to fly or difficulty flying
– Limping, dragging wings
– Bleeding or scabbing around wings
– Broken bones or protruding bones
– Sitting still and unmoving, unwilling to fly away when approached
– Heavy or labored breathing
– Closed or swollen eyes
– Lack of balance or coordination
– Head tilting or twitching
– Feathersmissing or damaged
– Emaciation or thinness
– Infestation of flies or maggots
– Confusion, disorientation
– Inability to stand or hold head up
If you observe any of these signs, it is important to contact a wildlife rehabilitator right away. Birds are very susceptible to shock so quick action is key to saving their lives. Do not attempt to treat the bird yourself. Leave that to the experts. Your role is to safely contain the bird until it receives professional care.
How to Capture an Injured Bird
When dealing with an injured wild bird, safety should always come first. Small songbirds can usually be easily picked up with your hands by approaching slowly and gently scooping up the bird with both hands. For larger birds, or if the bird is able to hop away, you may need to catch it with a towel or lightweight blanket. This protects both you and the bird from sharp beaks and talons. Follow these tips:
– Make sure pets are secured before attempting to capture the bird.
– Cover the bird with a light towel or blanket.
– Gently gather the bird in your hands or lift wrapped in the blanket. Avoid excessive pressure on the body.
– Fold the edges of the blanket over the bird to loosely wrap it creating a padded enclosure.
– Hold the bird close to your chest for warmth and to prevent escape.
– Carefully place the wrapped bird in a cardboard box or pet carrier with air holes for transport.
– If you need to contain the bird for any length of time before transportation, line the bottom with soft rags or t-shirts and place in a quiet, warm space away from people and pets.
– Check on the bird without disturbing it until help arrives.
– When transporting, drive carefully using minimal braking and acceleration to avoid jostling the bird.
Birds have fragile bones so use extreme care when handling injured birds. Your first priority is limiting stress and further injury until the bird can be examined and treated by wildlife experts.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers on Long Island
There are a number of facilities on Long Island dedicated to rehabilitating sick, injured, and orphaned wild birds. Here are some to contact if you find a bird in need of help:
The Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center – Founded in 1985, this rescue center in Hampton Bays treats over 4,000 animals per year. They accept all species of wild birds and have rehabilitation pools onsite for waterfowl treatment.
631-728-WILD (9453)
STAR Foundation – Located in Middle Island, STAR takes in all native wild bird species from Long Island and NYC. They provide emergency care as well as long term rehabilitation.
631-736-8207
The Long Island Orchestrating for Nature (LION) Wildlife Rescue Center – A certified wildlife rehabilitator in Holtsville treats a high volume of patients in their hospital and outdoor flight cages.
631-231-3665
Wild Bird Fund – This Manhattan based center opened a recovery facility in East Hampton in 2018 specifically for the treatment of wild birds on Long Island.
631-903-0490
Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center – Located in Smithtown, this all-volunteer organization provides rehabilitative care and release for birds and small mammals.
631-979-6344
Bittersweet Hollow Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center – This charity based in Melville accepts wild animal patients and has a wildlife hospital.
516-692-6606
When you call, describe the bird’s condition in as much detail as possible so the facility knows what to expect upon intake and can prepare any necessary medical treatment in advance.
How to Transport an Injured Bird to the Wildlife Center
Proper transportation of an injured bird improves its chances for survival and minimizes stress. Here are some tips for safely moving a bird to a wildlife rehabilitation facility:
– Place the bird in a cardboard box or pet carrier lined with a soft cloth or rag. Avoid oversized boxes that may allow the bird to thrash about and further injure itself.
– Ensure there are air holes for ventilation but no gaps large enough for the bird to escape through. Tape over most of the air holes if transporting very small birds.
– Keep the box or carrier covered with a towel or blanket to minimize disturbances and keep the bird calm and warm. Avoid exposing it to loud noises or excessive movement.
– Maintain the temperature inside the transport carrier between 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a heating pad or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel underneath half of the box to allow the bird to adjust temperature as needed.
– Handle the transport box gently and avoid tilting or excessive motion that could cause more harm. Carefully secure the box to prevent it shifting during transport.
– Do not offer any food or water. Injured birds require proper veterinary assessment and treatment before being fed.
– Drive mindfully to the rescue facility by avoiding sudden braking or acceleration, potholes, and not taking turns too quickly.
– Keep the radio off and voices down to prevent added stress to the already vulnerable bird.
– Do not delay seeking help. Transport the bird as soon as containment is assured. Immediate vet care gives the bird the best chance of recovery and release.
Following these tips will limit health declines associated with delayed treatment and ensure the bird’s stress is minimized while in your temporary care. The wildlife rehabilitators will take over providing medical assessment, treatment, appropriate housing, food, and 24 hour monitoring from the time of intake onwards.
Common Injuries in Wild Birds
There are many types of injuries that can afflict wild birds. Being able to identify the injury can help you to better assist the bird until professional care is provided. Here are some of the more common injuries seen in wild birds:
Broken bones – Fractures are common in birds due to their lightweight, hollow bones. Signs include protruding bones, limping, wings drooping unevenly, inability to fly or standing.
Concussions – Birds often suffer head trauma from flying into windows or being attacked by predators. Symptoms include disorientation, inability to stand or fly, lethargy.
Lacerations – Cuts and tears in the skin most often caused by contact with barbed wire fences, cars, glass windows, or tree branches. Bleeding and bruising may be visible.
Dislocated joints – Legs, wings, and ankles can pop out of socket due to struggles to free themselves from fences, nets, etc. The limb may appear limp, swollen or at an odd angle.
Eye injuries – Birds can develop scratches, punctures, swelling or complete loss of an eye due to predator attacks, accidents, or infections.
Gunshot wounds – Sadly, some birds are shot intentionally causing broken bones, internal organ damage, bleeding, and eventual death without treatment.
Oil contamination – Birds encounter oil spills in oceans, roadways, parking lots resulting in matted, burned plumage and possible ingestion.
Knowing what type of injuries to look for can aid in assessing the urgency of care needed and describing the bird’s condition to rehabilitators over the phone. Prompt identification helps ensure appropriate veterinary treatment is ready when you arrive with the injured bird.
Common Illnesses in Wild Birds
In addition to physical injury, there are some common illnesses that impact wild birds which you may encounter. Being able to identify signs of sickness aids rehabilitators in determining a treatment plan. Some examples include:
Aspergillosis – Fungal respiratory infection often caused by contaminated bird feeders. Symptoms are difficulty breathing, sneezing, wheezing, lethargy.
Avian Pox – Viral disease causing wart-like lesions on the skin and internal mucous membranes. Eyes often swollen shut and neck may look damp from oozing lesions.
Salmonella – Bacterial infection spread through contaminated food and water bowls. Birds appear fluffed up and lethargic. Can be fatal without antibiotics.
Trichomoniasis – Parasitic infection of the upper digestive tract spread at bird feeders. Causes difficulty swallowing, wasting away.
Aspergillosis – Bacterial intestinal infection causing diarrhea, dehydration, starvation due to inability to digest food and absorb nutrients.
West Nile Virus – Mosquito borne illness that attacks the central nervous system. Causes disorientation, tremors, seizures.
Early intervention increases chances of recovery. Look for telltale signs like discharge, swelling, weakness and report them to your wildlife rehabilitator promptly. With supportive care many birds can overcome common illnesses.
Nestling and Fledgling Birds – Care Tips
It can be difficult to discern when young birds need help. Here are some guidelines:
Nestlings – Newly hatched birds with no feathers and eyes closed. These birds should be returned to the nest if you can locate it or taken to a wildlife center. Parent birds will continue to feed and care for them outside the nest. Handle as little as possible.
Fledglings – Mostly feathered juveniles just learning to fly. Parents are still feeding and monitoring them so it’s best not to intervene. You can put them up high on a tree limb or shrub to protect from danger. Monitor from a distance.
Injured/ill young – Seek help immediately if you notice swelling, bleeding, wounds, weakness, shivering, lack of weight gain over a couple days, no parents nearby, or other signs of distress. Make sure babies and parents are kept together at the rehab facility.
The key considerations with young birds are age, ability to self-feed, injury/illness, and location of the parents. Healthy fledglings are best left alone. But nestlings and sick/injured young need specialized care from wildlife experts right away as their needs are complex. Don’t attempt home rehabilitation with unweaned baby birds.
Creating a Transport Box for Birds
You can create a temporary transport carrier for an injured or orphaned bird using a simple cardboard box:
1. Select a box. A good size for transporting is usually around 12 inches in length and 8 inches in height and width. Avoid overly large boxes where the bird may thrash around and cause more harm. For larger birds, adjust the box dimensions accordingly.
2. Use a utility knife to cut air holes near the top of each side of the box. Space 3-4 holes about 2 inches apart on each side. Avoid making the holes too low or large where the bird may escape through them.
3. Line the bottom of the box with soft, absorbent material – cloth, soft rag, paper towels, etc. DO NOT use materials like loose cotton or string that could entangle the bird.
4. Gently place the bird inside and loosely cover the top with a light towel or cloth to block out stressful stimuli. Avoid heavy lids or tight coverings that restrict air flow.
5. Monitor the boxed bird from outside periodically until transportation, maintaining calm and warmth. Keep the box in a quiet, temperature stable area during temporary containment.
6. Carefully carry the boxed bird when transporting to a wildlife center. Drive steadily avoiding sudden stops, starts, and turns that may toss the bird about.
7. Keep verbal noise to a minimum and avoid playing radio during transport. The dark, quiet box helps reduce stress.
8. Bring the containing box indoors upon reaching the wildlife center for protection from the elements during the admission process. The bird’s long term housing will be determined by rehabilitators.
Following these tips helps minimize injury and trauma during the rescue process while keeping the bird safely contained. The boxed bird should be transported for intake as soon as it is stabilized and secured.
How to Find a Nest for a Fallen Nestling
When nestling birds fall or are knocked from the nest, their best chance of survival is being returned to their parents. Here are some tips for finding a nest:
– First look in nearby trees and shrubs for a nest consistent with the size of the bird. Young wrens may fall from cavity nests high in trees.
– Search the ground below trees carefully. Look for remnants of the nest which may have fallen. This helps identify possible tree sources.
– Observe adult birds scolding or behaving frantically nearby then follow their movement. Distraught parents often draw attention to the nest site.
– Follow any sound of chirping nest mates which may guide you to the vicinity of the nesting area.
– Monitor potential trees for adult birds entering with food which may indicate you’ve located the nest. Watch patiently.
– Use binoculars to scan high branches and cavities in trees where you suspect the nest may be.
– If a nest is found, use gloves and a scoop or spoon to try to return the fallen nestling if a safe climb is possible. Otherwise, contact wildlife rehabilitators to assess if professional nest access is needed.
– Leave the area after returning the baby to avoid disturbing the nest further. Monitor only from a distance.
Locating a nest is not always straightforward but these tactics can aid in pinpointing the source. If a nest absolutely cannot be found or accessed, get the fallen nestling to a wildlife rehabilitator immediately for care.
Conclusion
Discovering an injured or ill wild bird can be disconcerting and elicit an instinct to intervene. While the intention to help is admirable, it is imperative to involve licensed wildlife rehabilitation experts to give the bird the greatest chance of recovery. As a concerned passerby, your role is to stabilize the scene, safely contain the bird, and swiftly transport it to a rehab facility after making an intake arrangement. Avoid attempting to treat or rehabilitate the bird yourself as this requires very specialized training and facilities. Do your best to minimize stress to the compromised bird by keeping it in a quiet, warm, secure space while awaiting professional assistance. Handling injured wildlife requires specific practices and permits so leave any direct care, treatment and release to the experts. Focus on getting the bird safely from the scene of distress to specialized facilities where its rehabilitation needs can be properly addressed by trained wildlife veterinarians and rehabilitators. With your help and the their expert care,