When you see a bird on the ground, your first instinct is to help it. However, despite good intentions, it is often very easy to do more harm than good when trying to save the birds. You need to be sure you are doing the best thing for the little thing in front of you and take the time to assess the situation. You can follow the simple instructions outlined in this article to make sure you do everything possible to reunite him with his family before removing him from his natural habitat.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Helping an Injured or Sick Bird
Step 1. Determine if the pet needs help
If you feel he is sick or injured, then he needs immediate assistance. There are many signs that he is in trouble; check if it can't move, flap its wings, if there are open wounds or blood, if it has tremors or if its wings fall unnaturally.
If the bird shows all or some of these signs, it needs help
Step 2. Know which birds you shouldn't touch
If the animal that needs to be rescued has a long and sharp beak or you can recognize its species and understand that it is an owl, eagle, hawk, heron or another bird of prey, then don't touch it. This type of animal could hurt you. Take note of what animal it is, where it is and call for help.
In these situations, you should call the forest ranger, a wildlife recovery center or, if necessary, the relevant veterinary ASL. Search online to find contact details and contact organizations in your area
Step 3. Prepare a container
If the injured bird is not a bird of prey and does not belong to other predator species, you need to transport it safely. Find a shoe box or other similar small container and drill holes to ensure that air circulates inside. Line the base with a clean cloth or kitchen paper. Wash your hands and wear gloves if they are available. Gently lift the injured bird and place it in the box.
Once safely in the box, you should take it to a facility that can take care of it, such as a wildlife recovery center
Step 4. Keep the bird warm
If you feel his body cold to the touch, then you can help him warm up by putting a warmer set at minimum in the box as well. Make sure the appliance does not take up all the space in the box, as the pet needs to be able to move to a cooler area if it starts to overheat.
- If you don't own a warmer, but want to keep your pet warm while you carry it, then you can fill a small bottle or sealable plastic bag with hot water and then wrap this handcrafted "water bottle" in a cloth or towel. Place it close to the animal, but check for fluid leaks.
- A leaking hot water bottle could do a lot of damage, as a wet bird cools much faster.
Step 5. Try not to handle the animal too much
Once you have stored it in a safe and warm place, leave it alone. While taking care of him, it is very important that you do not feed him or take him excessively in hand without the need for it. When a bird is in shock, especially if it is cold and dehydrated, it is unable to digest food properly. Don't try to rehydrate or feed your cat unless directed by your vet or wildlife expert.
For wild birds, humans are predators, so your attentions, even if driven by the best of intentions, actually terrify the animal; Furthermore, it is very easy to injure a sick bird when trying to feed or rehydrate it
Part 2 of 3: Helping a Healthy Bird
Step 1. Assess the age of the animal
If the bird doesn't look hurt, then you can try to help it without taking it away from its habitat. To do this, you must first determine the approximate age of the animal and then decide how to act. The very young specimens, called chicks, should not remain outside the nest. These little birds have very few feathers and the little ones may still have their eyes closed. Slightly older specimens have feathers and you can often run into them while hopping on the ground.
Bigger birds are learning to fly, so it's quite common to find them outside the nest
Step 2. Approach the animal
If you think it is a chick or are in doubt, then it may need help. If it looks like a small canary or type of sparrow, then approach with caution. Lift it with one hand, reach out to touch its paws and see if the animal reacts by clinging and perching to the finger, but be careful that it does not fall. If it doesn't, it could be a chick that needs to stay in the nest.
If it is a bird of prey, call the forester or wildlife rescue center and do not touch the animal
Step 3. Return the bird to the nest
If you've come to the conclusion that it's a healthy grounded chick, look for the nest nearby. If you can find it and can reach it, then you will have to return the bird to "his house". Put on a pair of gloves and, gently, place the animal back in the nest.
If his parents are around, they'll go back to the chick. It is not at all true that birds reject a chick touched by humans. In fact, birds have a rather poor sense of smell, but a strong parental instinct, so they will continue to care for their pup even after it has been touched by a man
Step 4. Make a replacement for the nest
If you can't find the original one or this is inaccessible, then you need to build an alternate nest to protect the chick until the parents find it. You can get a box of margarine, a basket of berries, or a similar container. Make holes in the bottom to ensure good drainage of liquids and line the inside with dry kitchen paper. With the help of a string or wire, hang the makeshift nest on a tree or bush, as close as possible to the old nest or where you think it is.
Make sure the shelter is not within easy reach of predators, including cats and dogs
Step 5. Look at the nest with the bird
You have to be sure that the parents find it. Once you have returned the animal to its home or makeshift nest, observe it from a distance. Parents should be back shortly.
- If they return, then the chick will be safe and your job done.
- If, after an hour or two, one or both parents have not returned, then you should contact the Wildlife Rescue Center and get instructions.
Step 6. Take care of an already grown bird
If you have found an animal that is larger than a chick, with formed feathers hopping around and perching on your finger, then you have found an "almost adolescent" specimen. It is quite normal for these birds to spend some time on the ground when they start learning to fly. If the area he is in is relatively safe, leave him alone. However, if it is in imminent danger, move it close to a bush or branch and observe it from a distance.
- The danger can present itself in different forms: there are predators (including cats and dogs) or the bird could be in the middle of the road or in another unsafe spot.
- If the parents are back within an hour or two, then the little one will be safe. If one or both parents do not return to the nursery then you will need to call a wildlife recovery center.
Part 3 of 3: Finding a Wildlife Recovery Center
Step 1. Know when to see a professional
If you are unable to bring the bird back to its family, you need a wildlife rehabilitation expert to come and take care of the bird. You should call this representative even if the bird is a raptor. It is much better for an expert to take care of this, not only for the bird, but for you as well, as it is illegal to grow or own protected species birds without having a specific license.
If you've managed to get the bird family together, then there's no need to call the expert
Step 2. Do some research online to find the nearest specialized recovery center
There are many ways to find one. If you have decided to use the internet, you can browse the LIPU recovery center website and find the telephone number of the center closest to your home.
There are many other websites that can help you. You can also simply type the words "wildlife recovery center" into your favorite search engine, followed by the name of your city or province to get more suggestions
Step 3. Call for help
If you do not have the possibility to consult an online page or you prefer to speak directly with a person, then you can call the competent veterinary ASL or call 1515, the national number of the Forestry Guard. If you are unable to contact these specific organizations, then you can also call the emergency number of the police (113) or the carabinieri (112).
Advice
- If in doubt, leave the bird alone and wait. A wild bird has a much better chance of becoming a healthy adult if it stays with its parents.
- Do not give him bird food or water unless specifically directed by your vet or wildlife expert. You could do more harm than good if you feed the bird the wrong food; the right diet varies by species.
- After touching the bird, wash your hands with great care, it could carry viruses that are dangerous for humans.
