I found an injured or sick wild bird. Should I provide it with medical care?

Providing medical care to an injured wild bird can actually hurt the bird more. Some medications are toxic to birds and can cause irreparable damage. You should never do a physical examination,  apply bandages, splints, ointments, or offer any other form of medical treatment to a wild bird. 

The best care that you can provide to an injured bird is to place it in a small cardboard box with holes, lined with a towel. Large boxes are not recommended as the birds can roll around inside and further injure themselves. Store the box in a warm and quiet place until you can bring it to Le Nichoir. 

 

Can I wait a few days to bring a wild bird to Le Nichoir?

 

After discussing your situation with Le Nichoir and it is agreed that the bird should be brought to the centre for care it should be admitted immediately. Fractures calcify very quickly in birds, and broken bones can not be properly stabilized once calcification occurs. Internal injuries can progress really quickly without showing symptoms and bacteria can quickly grow in wounds.  The sooner the bird is brought to Le Nichoir the higher chance of recovery it will have. 

 

Can I bring a wild bird to a veterinarian?

Caring for wild birds requires different licensing, knowledge and skill set. Some veterinarians have experience with wildlife and accept wild patients into their clinics but some do not.  Injured, sick or orphaned wildlife should be brought to wildlife rehabilitation centres, as most have veterinarians that  work with them to ensure that wildlife are provided with professional medical care that is  appropriate. Providing care to wildlife requires different considerations than when treating domestic animals, and some domestic animal treatments/medications are not safe or appropriate to use on wildlife.

 

What are the signs that a wild bird is injured ?

 

It is never normal for a wild bird to have blood or open wounds anywhere on its body. This wild bird needs help. 

We are predators to wild birds so they should be scared of people and paying attention when we’re nearby. A bird that keeps its eyes closed when approached by a predator is not feeling well and probably needs help. 

Birds look “fluffy” when they’re trying to keep warm, or having trouble thermoregulating. While it can be normal in the wintertime, although they should still fly away when approached,  a bird that is fluffed up on a warm day isn’t feeling well and probably needs help. 

It is never normal for a wild bird to lose its balance, even a baby bird. Balance issues can indicate head injuries, often from collisions with windows or cars,  or even problems with the legs or wings.

While it can often be hard to gauge whether a wing or a leg is broken or injured, obvious fractures or severe torticollis (head twisting) can sometimes be  easily seen and identified. A bird with something obviously “out of place” most probably  needs help.  Never do a physical examination.

Some species of wild birds, notably killdeer but also mallard ducks and mourning doves, may fake an injured wing or leg to lure predators away from the nest. However, these brave parents will not put themselves in personal danger to protect their young.  When approached by a predator intent on catching them, they can and should fly away. If you can catch an adult killdeer, it is not faking that wing injury. It really needs help.

If you are unsure if the wild bird needs rescuing, please email Le Nichoir at info@lenichoir.org with a photo of the bird, your name and phone number for more information.