I FOUND A BIRD, NOW WHAT?

STEP3: HOW TO RESCUE A SICK OR INJURED BIRD

WARNING: Do not attempt to hold, handle or capture an animal if your health and safety or the health and safety of others is at risk. Wild animals of any kind, especially those that are afraid or in pain, do not understand that you are trying to help. These animals will attempt to protect themselves and they should not be considered mean, or deserving of any kind of abuse or rough handling. If you are not capable of capturing a bird in a way that is humane for the animal and safe for you then please contact Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center immediately.

Never handle a large bird of prey or any large bird that appears alert and responsive. These animals have particularly powerful talons, teeth, legs, and claws.
Keep a safe distance from the animal, and do what you can to protect it from harassment by pets or other people until safe containment and transport can be arranged.

Steps for rescuing the sick or injured bird:

1. Prepare a container- Obtain a cardboard box and line it with a piece of paper towel or a soft t-shirt. Make sure that the box is the appropriate size so that the bird cannot injure itself further during transport. Generally, the smaller the bird the smaller the enclosure should be and vice versa.
2. Punch holes in the side and on the top of the cardboard box so that there will be airflow.
3. Protect yourself-Wear gloves. Some birds will stab at you with their beaks or slice with their talons and slap with their wings to protect themselves. Birds commonly have parasites and diseases that can affect the health of humans.
4. Cover the bird with a light sheet or towel.
5. Gently pick up the bird and the towel and put the bird in the prepared container.
6. After getting the bird into the box close the box immediately so that the bird feels safe and secure. Place the box in a dark, quiet place away from pets and human traffic until transport can be arranged.
7. Place a heating pad set on the lowest temperature underneath HALF of the box. This allows the bird some room to move away from the heat if it gets too warm. Do not use a heating pad if it is a hot day.
8. Do not offer the bird food or water, and do not leave food or water in the box with the animal. Because the bird has not been medically examined, it is impossible to know the exact extent of its injuries. Feeding it or forcing it to drink water at this point could cause death. As with humans, hospitalized animals need to be very gradually re-hydrated and fed using special formulas and techniques. Greenwood begins this process as soon as the bird enters our Intensive Care Unit.
9. Do not attempt to treat the bird's injuries. Additional handling causes stress, and improper treatment can cause further injury.

If you have an injured bird of prey please call The Birds of Prey Foundation at (303) 460-0674 or visit http://www.birds-of-prey.org/.

Continue to: Step 4

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