How to Nurse an Injured Bird

Birds are fragile creatures and easily injured, so it's not uncommon to find an injured bird in your yard, on the road or even inside your home. Birds can suffer from falls, broken wings, collisions, parasites and other ailments --- most of which can be easily treated by a trained veterinarian. Injured birds should not be treated by the common person for a variety of reasons. Birds can carry parasites that could be passed to humans, and in some cases, laws prohibit treating injured birds found in the wild. However, some treatment could be necessary to keep the bird alive until a trained rehabilitator or veterinarian arrives.

Things You'll Need

  • Box (appropriate for the size of the bird)
  • Towels
  • Warm environment
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Instructions

    • 1

      Search the area for the bird's nest. If the bird is young or seems to have fallen from a nest, the safest place for it is back in its nest. Be careful never to touch the bird with bare hands. Use a towel to gently scoop up the bird and carry it back to its nest.

    • 2

      Place the bird in a box if the bird's nest cannot be found, or if its injuries seem too extensive. Line the box with soft tissue or a towel. Poke holes in the side of the box so the bird can breathe. Use another towel or gloves to scoop up the bird and place it gently into the box. Place a lid over the box, and set the box in a quiet, but warm and well lit area. Check on the bird after an hour to see if it has recovered on its own or needs further treatment. Release the bird into the wild if it appears to have recovered.

    • 3

      Contact a local wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian. Visit the Wildlife Rehabilitation Information Directory online to view a list of contacts in your area. Call your pet's veterinarian or find one in the phone book. Inform him that you found an injured bird and are willing to pay for treatment or wish to locate someone who can. You might be required to bring the bird to the veterinarian's office immediately or you might be advised on whether the bird should be freed.