Helping Injured and Orphaned Birds
Every year hundreds of people find “orphaned’ baby birds – often in their own back yard. Many of these foundlings end up being hand-raised, usually without success, by well-meaning individuals and yet, few of these birds are truly orphans.
Is It An Orphan?
If you find a baby bird, the following information should help you determine its status.
Contrary to popular belief, it does not matter if the baby has been touched by humans! The parents will not reject it due to scent because birds have a very weak sense of smell.
First, determine if it is a nestling or a fledgling.
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A nestling bird may be pink and naked, fuzzy, downy, or covered with development “pin” feathers. Such a bird needs to be in the nest with constant parental care. Look for the nest – remember nests can be in unusual places such as in hanging baskets (doves, cardinals), on rooftops (nighthawks), or on the ground (ducks, killdeer). If the original nest cannot be reached or has been destroyed, an artificial nest can be made from a hanging basket or similar container lined with a paper towel. Secure this “nest” close to the original nest, and place the baby in it. The parents will come to care for the baby when they hear it call for food.
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A fledgling bird has feathers, a short stubby tail, and a not-quite-grown look. It is normal for such a bird to be out of the nest, and it will not stay if you put it back in. The fledgling is being taught to find food, water, and shelter by its parents and it is learning to fly. The best way to help a fledgling is to put it in a nearby bush or shrub. The parents will coax it to follow them. You may help by keeping dogs and cats inside, and returning the fledgling to a bush should he hop down from it. Other than that, it is best to rely on Mother Nature to work out the problems.
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So, It Really Is an Orphan
If you have tried these suggestions and, still after a few hours, still see no sign of adult birds in the area. Contact a licensed rehabilitator for further advice. If you must provide temporary care to an orphaned bird, here is what you must do:
Place the baby in a “nest” (margarine tub or bowl lined with a paper towel) and place the nest in a cardboard box. Keep the box in a warm, quiet place. Do not handle the bird unnecessarily.
The best temporary diet for most baby birds is dry cat or dog food soaked in warm water. Do not feed it milk because birds cannot digest it. If the baby bird is hungry, it will open its mouth and beg when the nest is jostled. The baby will need to be fed every 15-30 minutes from dawn to dusk.
Baby birds will grow to be abnormal adults if raised alone, so bring the bird to a licensed rehabilitator as soon as possible where it can be raised with others and released into the wild to live a normal life.
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If You Find an Orphaned Raptor
Infant raptors have a soft, cottony or downy appearance and well-developed legs and feet with talons (claws).
If you find a baby hawk or owl out of its nest, try to locate the nest and look for signs of adults in attendance. This information will be helpful when trying to place the bird in its own or foster nest.
Raptor babies require immediate, specialized care and should be brought to a licensed rehabilitator as soon as possible to insure the survival of the bird. Keep the baby in a warm, quiet place. You can temporarily feed such an infant tiny pieces of lean meat, but this diet will result in severe, life-threatening, nutritional deficiencies if continued for more than a day.
Remember, these are wild animals and they do not make good pets even though they are quite endearing when young. In addition, state and federal law makes it illegal for anyone to possess or injure native birds – and especially birds of prey.
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What to Do if You Find an Injured Bird
Be Aware:
An injured bird requires immediate and specialized care. Any delay significantly reduces the bird’s chance for recovery and release. Many veterinarians have neither the special facilities nor the funds to properly handle or treat an injured bird. Under state and federal law, it is ILLEGAL for any person to injure or possess a native bird other than transporting the bird to a properly licensed facility.
If you find an injured bird, approach the bird from behind covering it completely with a towel, jacket, blanket, or sheet. It may struggle when first covered, so quickly restrain the bird and as it calms down, gather the covering together. Be sure the wings are folded against the body, the feet are restrained, and the head is completely covered.
BEWARE! A raptor’s (hawk or owl) feet and talons are its means of defense. They are powerful weapons. Be sure to restrain the legs under the covering.
BEWARE! An egret or heron’s beak is its means of defense. Be sure to cover the head completely and restrain the beak and head.
Transfer the bird to a ventilated cardboard box lined with newspaper as soon as possible.
Do not attempt to transfer a wild bird in a wire cage as it can injure itself further and damage its plumage in a remarkably short period of time.
Do not attempt to force-feed or treat the bird yourself. Many well-meaning attempts result in the further injury or death of the bird.
Bring the bird as quickly as possible to a licensed rehabilitator in your area.
REMEMBER, TIME
IS CRUCIAL!
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Licensed Rehabilitation Organizations:
Clearwater Wildlife Sanctuary
Pre-recorded message
(985) 892-2500
For additional organizations:
Call or Write
The Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries
P.O. Box 98000
Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000
(225) 765-3557
Baby may not be a bird but she was in need
of rehabilitation. She arrived at the LA/SPCA
as a stray. Baby was placed in the care of a
rehabilitator, where she learned the survival
skills needed to thrive in the wild. She has since
be released in an isolated area of Louisiana. Top
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