Coming across an injured bird can be distressing, but there are steps you can take to help the bird and ensure its safety in Ottawa. As caring humans, we have a responsibility to help injured wildlife where we can. When approached correctly, assisting an injured bird can be done without causing additional stress or harm. This article will provide tips on how to safely help an injured bird you come across in Ottawa.
Assessing the Situation
The first step when you find an injured bird is to assess the situation. Take note of where the bird is located and the surrounding environment. Is the bird in a dangerous area like the middle of a road? Is it showing signs of labored breathing or bleeding? Does it appear to have a broken wing or other obvious injury?
Taking the time to carefully observe the bird and its environment will allow you to determine if there are any imminent threats to its safety. It will also help you decide the next best steps to assist the bird.
Prioritizing Safety
Once you’ve assessed the initial scene, the next priority is to get the bird to a safe location. If it is in an unsafe area exposed to traffic, predators, or other dangers, you’ll need to move it. Do this by gently encouraging or herding the bird into a box, crate or other secure carrier. Speak softly and move slowly to minimize stress. Wear thick gloves to protect yourself in case the bird tries to bite or scratch.
If the bird can move on its own, guide it gently towards a quiet, sheltered area away from any perceived threats. Continue observing it for signs of additional injuries or distress. Keep children and pets at a distance to avoid startling the bird.
Providing First Aid
After getting the bird to safety, you can provide some basic first aid while you wait for expert assistance. Here are some steps to help stabilize an injured bird:
– Check for wounds and stop any bleeding by applying light pressure with a clean towel or cloth.
– Prevent shock by keeping the bird warm and quiet. Place a blanket or towel loosely over the carrier. Avoid direct sunlight.
– Hydration is important so provide water by misting the beak every 20-30 minutes. Do not force the beak open or force the bird to drink.
– Do not attempt to splint broken wings or legs yourself. This requires training to be done properly.
– Never try to feed the bird. Injured birds have very specific nutritional needs.
Contacting a Wildlife Rehabilitator
The next vital step is to contact a professional wildlife rehabilitator or rescue organization. Trying to care for an injured wild bird yourself is illegal and often ends poorly for the bird.
There are a few options to find a wildlife rehabilitator near Ottawa:
– Contact the Ontario SPCA Wild Animal Emergency Hotline at 1-855-9WILDHELP. They can arrange transport of the bird to the closest wildlife rehabilitator.
– Search for local rehabilitators on the Ontario Wildlife Rescue directory.
– Call your local animal control, humane society or veterinarian for referrals.
When you reach the rehabilitator, be ready to describe the bird species, its injuries and condition. Follow their instructions for securing and transporting the bird to their facility. Be prepared to drop it off quickly, as prompt professional care greatly improves recovery outcomes.
Avoiding Missteps
When trying to rescue an injured bird, there are also a few mistakes to avoid:
– Don’t try to feed it or give it water other than misting its beak for hydration.
– Avoid handling the bird more than necessary, as this can worsen stress and injuries.
– Do not attempt to splint legs, wings or other body parts – leave this to the wildlife experts.
– Refrain from keeping the bird in your home longer than needed for transport to a rehabilitator.
– Never try to keep an injured wild bird as a pet. It’s illegal and cruel.
– Don’t assume fledgling birds are injured – monitor from a distance as parents may be nearby caring for them.
Following these guidelines can help ensure your good intentions don’t accidentally cause the bird more harm.
Ensuring Prompt Transport
Ideally, you should transfer the injured bird into professional care within an hour of rescue. The sooner rehabilitators can assess and treat its condition, the better its chances of survival.
As the rescuer, it’s important you arrange transportation quickly if unable to drop the bird off yourself. Options include:
– Asking a friend, neighbor or family member to drive the bird to the rehab facility.
– Utilizing a ride share service if the rehab is not too distant.
– Checking with the rehab center if they can send a volunteer transporter.
– Driving the bird yourself if needed – just secure the carrier properly and minimize stops.
Don’t delay once a rehabilitator confirms they can accept the bird – prolonged captivity adds stress for wild animals.
Providing Follow-Up Care Information
Your involvement doesn’t necessarily end after you transport the bird to rehabilitators. Provide your contact details in case they need clarification on where and how you found the animal. This context can assist the rehab team with treatment planning.
You can also politely follow up in a few days for a progress report on the bird’s recovery. Wildlife rehab takes patience, so be prepared that outcomes won’t be immediate. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about next steps for the bird once stabilized.
Showing a genuine interest and willingness to help can mean a lot to these wildlife rescue organizations. They are often run solely by volunteers and donations.
Supporting Wildlife Rehabilitation Efforts
The compassion you showed by rescuing an individual injured bird is also invaluable on a larger scale. Your actions supported the wildlife rehabilitation community and system available to care for vulnerable animals.
Beyond assisting in a specific incident, there are further ways you can support these crucial endeavors:
– Volunteer your time if possible at local rehab facilities. Extra hands are always needed!
– Make financial donations, even small amounts, to rehabilitators frequently operating on very limited budgets.
– Help “spread the word” about their work on social media or in conversations with friends and family.
– Contact local government representatives to advocate for improved wildlife protection policies and rehab funding in your municipality.
– Keep learning about wild birds native to your province and their conservation needs.
Preventing Injuries
While helping injured birds is important, we also want to avoid harm coming to birds whenever possible. There are small things you can do to help prevent injuries:
– Keep pet cats indoors, as free-roaming cats are a top killer of billions of birds annually in North America.
– Make windows visible to birds by installing decals or UV-reflective film to prevent collisions.
– Ensure any bird feeders or nest boxes in your yard are properly positioned and maintained to avoid harm.
– Drive carefully and keep an eye out for birds resting or feeding at roadsides.
– Dispose of litter and food waste securely to avoid unintentionally attracting birds to unsafe areas.
– Follow guidelines and bylaws on tree pruning and removal, especially during nesting season when eggs or young may be present.
Informing Children
If you rescued an injured bird with children present, this can be a valuable learning experience for them. Gently explain that while it’s natural to want to help, wild birds require expert care. Answer any questions they have and assure them the bird will get the help it needs.
Let them know they can still be involved by caring for the bird safely until the rehabilitator arrives. Supervise them if allowing them to participate in keeping the bird quiet and contained. Remind them not to shout or run around near the bird.
Use the experience to instill compassion, respect for nature, and responsible ways to handle wildlife encounters. Ensure they understand never to touch or approach wild birds without an adult present.
Conclusion
Discovering an injured bird can be an alarming but also privileged moment. While the primary focus is on safely transferring the bird to rehabilitators, the compassion behind wanting to help wildlife should not be discounted. Providing some initial first aid, securing prompt transport, and supporting rehabbers in their vital mission enables concerned citizens to positively contribute. Exercising caution, informing authorities, and gathering contextual clues works together to achieve the best outcome for the affected bird. By following the guidance in this article, you now have greater knowledge to humanely assist the next injured bird you come across in Ottawa. With extra care and concern for our avian neighbors, they will have a fighting chance at returning home – back to the open skies.