Bird Emergency

If you find a bird that appears to be injured, sick, or orphaned take a few moments to observe the bird from a distance so not to disturb the bird.  This will help to determine your next action step. Young birds in particular may just be waiting for their next meal to arrive with the return of one of their parents.

What type of bird needs help?
Click on the images below to learn more about what you can do to help:

Baby Songbird

Baby Songbird

Songbirds like robins, finches, sparrow, swallows, and woodpeckers are all altricial birds.  This means they hatch completely naked and with their eyes closed.  In our area they are most often tree cavity or nest dwellers.  They depend completely on their parents for protection, food, and warmth.  As they develop they learn to fly and feed themselves.

Baby Waterfowl, Shorebird, or Gamebird

Baby Waterfowl, Shorebird, or Gamebird

Waterfowl, shorebirds, and gamebirds like duck, geese, rails, pheasants, and quail are precocial birds.  This means that they hatch with a covering of downy feathers and their eyes open.  Almost as soon as they hatch they are ready to swim or walk.  Many of them are also able to feed themselves shortly after hatching.

Adult Bird

Adult Bird

Injured or sick adult birds can display a variety of symptoms that can include, but are not limited to: The inability to fly, lack of balance, drooping wings, bleeding, fluffed out feathers or feathers covered in oil or unnatural sticky substances, slow response time to predators, or lying on the ground.

Raptor

Raptor

Raptors are birds such as owls, hawks, falcons, vultures, and eagles.