I Found a Wild Bird

I found an injured wild bird but Le Nichoir is located too far. What can I do?

 

Unfortunately, there are not many wild bird rehabilitation centres located in Quebec and even Canada.  Le Nichoir runs primarily on public donations and does not receive significant financial support from the government.  We do not have the financial means to offer pickup services. It is not uncommon for people to drive a few hours to bring Le Nichoir birds.

If Le Nichoir is located too far the best thing is to call at  1-800-463-2191. This Quebec government hotline can guide you in the right direction.

 

I found a wild bird, can Le Nichoir come and catch it?

 

Le Nichoir is happy to admit wild  birds that  are brought directly to the centre at 637 Main, Hudson. We do not have the resources to go offsite to rescue or capture birds. With almost 3,000 bird admissions every year and our bird care program heavily run by volunteers it is impossible for our team to go offsite. Just like a veterinarian stays at its clinic, our team focuses on caring for our current patients.

That being said, Le Nichoir does work with different partners that may be able to help. It is best to call Le Nichoir directly at 450-458-2809 for more information.

 

I found a wild bird that keeps rolling and somersaulting. Is it okay?

 

Wild birds will often roll or somersault when they have neurological or head trauma (impact injury). This happens when wild birds collide with windows, or are hit by cars.

Any wild bird that is rolling or somersaulting requires care. These wild birds should be brought to Le Nichoir. Le Nichoir will provide the wild bird with antiinflammatories, painkillers and oxygen therapy. The sooner the wild bird is brought to Le Nichoir the higher chance of recovery it will have.

 

I found a bird open-mouth breathing

 

Wild birds will open-mouth breath when they are stressed, have infection, trauma or injury, have heat stress, are in shock or their trachea is blocked. Most of these symptoms are justified enough to bring the wild bird to Le Nichoir. For more information call Le Nichoir at 450-458-2809.

Open mouth breathing should not be confused by begging done by young birds.

 

I saw a killdeer dragging its wing when I approached it. Is it injured?

 

In most cases, Killdeer drag their wings as a deceptive tactic to protect their eggs and young from predators. This “broken wing” act lures predators away from the nest by making the bird appear injured and unable to fly, thus distracting the predator and allowing the killdeer to escape and safeguard its brood. 

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

If you observe other species of birds with its wing dragging on the ground it is likely that it will require help. Only a handful of species (ducks and geese) use “broken wing” for luring.

 

I found a wild bird that was hit by a car. What should I do?

 

A bird that is hit by a car is likely injured and requires medical care. There is the misconception that birds hit by cars don’t always get hurt. The impact of the collision relative to the body size of birds is significant. Please capture the bird and bring it to Le Nichoir (637 Main, Hudson).

If you are unsure if the 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.

 

Is it safe to take an injured bird in the house?

Yes, it is safe to take an injured bird into your house. You may have to house a wild bird temporarily prior to transport to a rehabilitation centre.  We recommend that you place the box  in a garage or a garden shed, protected from predators, especially if you have pets. Once the bird has left, it is important to clean the the areas the bird came in contact with using disinfectant.

 

I found a bird with a broken limb or wing.  How can I fix it ?

 

You should never try to treat a fracture on a wild bird yourself as you would never try the same procedure on your own pet.

Such procedures should be done by trained staff and under proper medication to control pain.