If you find a feathered baby bird hopping around on the ground, or maneuvering in branches, It is probably not injured, even if it cannot fly well. Birds that have just left the nest (fledglings) need time to develop their skills and their parents continue to watch over, teach, and feed them for up to several months, depending on the species. It is important to leave these young birds with their parents, and keep all people and pets away! These birds do not need your help. If a baby has wandered out to an exposed area for a long period of time and there is threat of predators (humans/pets) place the bird back into a hidden, bushy or covered area, well away from trails or human / pet interference in a location where you know the parents are nearby. Parents will not reject their baby just because it was briefly handled by humans.
If a cat or dog brings you a bird, or you suspect the bird has come into contact with a cat or a dog
Please keep the bird warm and bring it in to Silverado Veterinary Hospital as soon as possible, EVEN IF THE BIRD IS UNINJURED. Any bird who has had contact with a cat or dog MUST receive antibiotics for bacteria present in dog/cat saliva. The bird will be released back to it’s home area after the course of antibiotics.
If you find an unfeathered or partially feathered bird fallen from the nest
The best thing to do is try to put the bird back. If you can’t return the baby to the nest, make an artificial nest out of a small margarine tub or small shallow box (poke drainage holes in the bottom). line container with natural materials such as pine needles and small twigs. Do not use grass as it contains moisture that will chill the babies. Watch from a distance to see if the parent returns. If the parents do not return after 1-2 hours, bring the bird in. If the nest has fallen, or been knocked down, the nest and babies can be put back in the tree. If you cannot replace the babies be cause it is too high, place the babies in their nest and place in a plastic container such a, a margarine tub. Wire the new nest as close to the original location as possible You may have to put it on a nearby branch or another tree or bush. Make sure it is out of direct sunlight or weather. leave the area and watch for parents to return Refer to Signs to determine whether an animal needs your help to determine if the bird needs rescuing.Follow the instructions on How to Rescue a baby bird.
How to Rescue a baby Bird
(Only adults, should rescue baby birds)
- Prepare a container. Place a clean, soft cloth with no strings such as a baby blanket or dark coloredT·shirt on the bottom of a cardboard box or cat / dog carrier with a lid. If you don’t have a baby blanket or dark colored T-shirt, use a towel. If the container doesn’t have air holes, make some. For smaller birds, you can use a paper sack with air holes.
- Protect yourself. Wear gloves, if possible. Some birds may stab with their beaks, slice with their talons (claws) and slap with their wings, to protect themselves, even if sick; birds commonly have parasite, (fleas, lice, licks) and carry diseases.
- Cover the bird with a light sheet or towel. Gently pick up the bird and pul it in the prepared container.
- Warm the animal. Pul one end of the container on a heating pad set on low. If you do not have a healing pad, fill a zip-lop plastic bag, plastic soft drink container with a screw lid with hot water; wrap warm container with cloth, and put it next to the animal. Make sure the container doesn’t leak, or the animal will get wet and chilled. Also make sure the animal can gel away from the heat if desired.
- Tape the box or bag shut. Make sure there are breathing holes
- Note exactly where and when you found the bird. This will be very important for release .
- Keep the bird in a warm, dark, quiet place . Don’t give it food or water. Leave the bird alone; don’t handle or bother it. Keep children and pets away.
- Contact WRCNC or bring to Silverado Veterinary Hospital immediately. Don’t keep the bird at your home longer than necessary. Keep the bird in a container; don’t let it loose in your house or car. When transporting the bird, keep voice and noise levels low. Do not play the radio/music and refrain from talking.
- Wash your hands after contact with the bird. Wash anything the bird was in contact with – towel, jacket, blanket, pet carrier to prevent the spread of diseases and/or parasites to you or your pets.
