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WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A BIRD ON THE GROUND Often in the spring and summer people will find birds on the ground, either one that is injured or one that has fallen out of a nest. Here's how to help these birds. If you should find an injured or orphaned bird, contact your local "Wildlife Rescue" organization for specific instructions. If you can't take it to a shelter or rehabilitator right away, follow the instructions given in their telephone message. You can also try a veterinarian. Birds that are injured may have hit a window or were attacked by a predator. They are stunned and in shock. If there is visible sign of injury there may not be much you can do. Do not try to bandage an injury. Try to get the bird to a shelter as soon as possible. Chicks can be dumped from their nests during very high winds or fall out when they are just learning to use their wings. If you know where the nest is, you can try to replace the bird. If you see that a parent is still feeding the bird where it is, you should not try to move it unless it is in danger from predators. Again, follow the instructions from the rescue group. From our own experience, they tell you that the bird will most likely be in shock. Put it in a box large enough to let air flow (but do not punch holes in it) and line it with a soft cloth like a towel. Close the top lightly or cover with a cloth to let air in but keep light out. The box should be placed in a warm, quiet, dark room. We keep a couple boxes in two sizes set up just for such an occurrence. If the bird is a hummingbird and you are not able to get it to a shelter right away then follow this plan. If it is still daylight the bird will probably need nourishment every so often. You should mix up a small amount of nectar and try to feed it. Do not try to feed with an eye-dropper. Do not try to pick up the bird. Just prop up its head with the cloth. I find that the bird's long tongue will be able to reach into a spoon or small measuring cup to get nectar. Just let it get a few licks at a time, do not overfeed. I check back every 15-20 minutes. At sunset, leave the bird alone so it can sleep at its normal time. In the morning, carefully check to see if the bird has survived. If so, you should take it to a shelter/rehabilitator as soon as possible. Unfortunately, none of the hummingbirds I've found has survived. They are really very delicate creatures. For more information about what to do for injured or orphaned birds check this web site: http://www.projectwildlife.org/find-hummingbirds.htm To locate a wildlife rehabilitator in your area, try this site: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm Top Ù |
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Getting Help for Birds |
