When you find a bird that has bumped into a window you can be unsure what to do: do you take it to the vet or try to treat it yourself? This article explains what to do and when to take action.
Steps
Step 1. Identify the bird and its characteristics
Look at the beak, legs and body structure. In such a situation it is important to understand if the animal belongs to the passerine family (small or medium-sized step or song birds, with two toes pointing forward and one finger pointing backwards; this is the bird. more common than you may encounter) or if the bird is not a passerine (i.e. it has characteristics that do not match those of passerines; these birds are usually raptors or marine).
Step 2. Get ready
The three things to do before saving any bird in any situation are as follows:
- Find out which parts of a bird can be dangerous to humans and take necessary precautions (e.g. seabirds, which normally have wide beaks, can cause eye damage, so protect your eyes by using appropriate equipment, such as safety glasses).
- Prepare everything you need (usually a towel, a box suitable for the bird, possibly a net and some people to help you complete the task safely).
- The mental and physical ability to rescue with determination and speed, for your and the bird's safety.
Step 3. If you are not trained or feel confident and comfortable doing an action like this, wait and call an expert, who will help both you and the bird
Step 4. Assess the condition of the bird
Check if he limps or has problems with his limbs or wings or if he is bleeding profusely if so, take him to a vet or wildlife recovery center immediately. If, on the other hand, he just seems shocked or stunned (doesn't move much), as he often does, then it's time to assert yourself!
Step 5. For a passerine bird, a towel and a cardboard box are enough
If in doubt, use boxes of other materials (the important thing is that the box opens easily and quickly and that it has no edges).
Step 6. Open the box and prepare the rest of the material you need
Step 7. Approach the bird and place a blanket or towel over it to gain weight
This way you prevent it from flying away or going to pose somewhere else.
Step 8. Locate the head
By looking at the blanket or towel from the outside you are able to identify the shape of his body.
Step 9. Grab the nape of the neck (or neck) gently with your thumb and forefinger
The bird's back should be facing the towel / blanket to avoid suffocation. Don't squeeze too hard and don't let your fingers get close to your face, as you could hurt him - just let your fingers rest gently on the nape of your neck so you can comfortably control the bird's head. Maybe you will put some stress on him, but it won't hurt him. The fingers on the nape of the neck prevent the bird from biting you.
Step 10. Put the bird inside the box very carefully and close it with a lid
Make sure the box has holes for the animal to breathe through. If the towel is small, place it inside the box along with the bird. If it's too big, you can leave it out.
Step 11. Place the box in a warm, sheltered place (not exposed to direct sunlight) and observe the container for between twenty minutes and two hours
Make sure the bird doesn't open the lid by itself.
Step 12. Now you can set the bird free with quick and immediate action
Go to the same spot where you found it, put the box on the ground and open the lid. The bird must be able to fly away within seconds. If not, contact a veterinarian. If the spot where you found it is a dangerous place, drop the bird at the nearest safe place.
Step 13. Congratulations
You saved an injured bird. Now you should write a small report with the place, date, time, type of injury, cause of injury and a brief description of the bird.
Advice
- When handling or inspecting the bird, be sure to do it in a suitable environment (out of direct sunlight).
- Hold the bird by gently wrapping it around your body, then carefully slide it onto your hand.
- Note that this article mainly refers to passerine birds, because they are easier and safer to handle, even for those inexperienced.
- If you'd rather let a professional do the rescue, you can still help! Keep the bird in good condition while waiting for the expert to arrive (for example, keeping away any dogs or cats that might attack it).
Warnings
- Birds can become aggressive when injured. Because of the shock, they may only be in a "trance" state, but as soon as the shock passes, they become wild animals again.
- In some states it is illegal to release non-native animals into the wild. If you are unsure where the animal came from, take it to a veterinarian to identify it.
- If you realize that instead of helping him you are hurting him or causing him tremendous stress, stop and call a professional to get help.
- Remember these animals are wild.
- Make sure the injured animal is not a bat or owl, as these animals can cause life-threatening diseases and should not be touched.
