Found an injured bird? Here's how to help.
Take a breath. Most birds you find on the ground don't need rescuing, and the ones that do have the best chance when you act calmly and get them to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator quickly.
If a bird is hurt, call a wildlife rescue first
Audubon Everglades isn't a wildlife rescue, so please contact one of these licensed centers right away. If you get voicemail, leave your name, number, and where you found the bird.
Farther away? Find a licensed wildlife rehabilitator near you on FWC's list.
First, does it really need help?
Lots of "lost" birds are just young birds doing exactly what they're supposed to do. Here's how to tell.
Fledgling
Has feathers, hops or flutters, and grips your finger or a branch. Fledglings spend a few days on the ground learning to fly while their parents keep feeding them nearby.
Keep pets and kids away. If it's in danger, move it to a nearby shrub.
Nestling
Has few or no feathers and can't hop or perch. It's too young to be out of the nest.
If you can see the nest, gently put it back. Touching it won't make the parents reject it. If you can't find the nest, or the bird is cold or hurt, call a rehabilitator.
Injured bird
Can't fly, has a drooping wing, is bleeding, or has been caught by a cat or dog.
A bird caught by a cat needs care right away, even if it looks fine. Follow the steps below and call a rescue.
How to help an injured bird
Contain it gently
Wear gloves or use a towel. Gently cover the bird and place it in a box with air holes, lined with a soft cloth. Close the lid.
Keep it dark and quiet
Put the box somewhere warm, dark, and quiet, away from pets, kids, and noise. Try not to peek. Stress can be as dangerous as the injury.
No food or water
Don't try to feed it or give it water. The wrong food can hurt it, and water can get into its lungs.
Call for help
Call a wildlife rescue right away and follow their instructions. Note exactly where you found the bird.
Keep yourself safe. Herons, egrets, pelicans, and birds of prey can seriously hurt you with their beaks or talons. Don't try to handle them yourself. Keep an eye on the bird from a distance and call for help. Under Florida law, you can only keep a wild bird long enough to get it to a licensed rehabilitator.
Special situations
Hit a window
A stunned bird may just need time. Place it in a box somewhere dark and quiet and check after about an hour. If it's alert, take the box outside near cover and let it fly off. If it can't fly or seems hurt, call a rescue.
Caught on a hook or line
Don't cut the line. FWC's rule is Reel. Remove. Release. Reel the bird in slowly, hold it gently with its head covered, remove the hook and any line, and let it go if it's healthy. If it swallowed the hook or is badly hurt, call a rescue.
A fallen nest
If a whole nest has fallen, you can sometimes put it back in the same tree or a nearby spot. Watch from a distance for an hour to see if the parents return. If they don't, call a rehabilitator.
Help prevent the next one
- Keep cats indoors. They're one of the biggest threats to birds.
- Mark windows with dots or tape spaced no more than 2 inches apart.
- Pick up fishing line and hooks, and use the recycling bins at piers and ramps.
- In spring, give fledglings space. Most are fine right where they are.