Birdwatching · Injured birds Birdwatching
What to Do If You Find an Injured Bird
In short
If you find an injured or sick wild bird, the safest and most helpful response is to keep your distance, keep pets and children away, and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or local wildlife authority for guidance. Do not try to treat, splint, medicate, feed, water, raise, or release the bird yourself. Wild birds need specialist care, and many are protected by law.
What to do
- Keep your distance and stay calm; do not chase or corner the bird.
- Keep pets, children, and onlookers well away to reduce stress and danger.
- Note the location, what you see, and the time, to share with experts.
- Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or local wildlife authority and follow their instructions.
- Only handle or move the bird if a qualified authority specifically tells you how and to do so.
Why not to treat the bird yourself
Well-meant home care often harms wild birds and can be illegal.
- Feeding or watering an injured bird can cause serious harm, including choking or aspiration.
- Splinting, medicating, or wound care requires training; home attempts can worsen injuries.
- Raising or "rehabilitating" a wild bird without a licence is harmful and often unlawful.
- Birds of prey and large birds can injure you; never handle them without expert guidance.
If you find an injured bird
- Kept a calm distance and did not chase the bird.
- Kept pets, children, and crowds away.
- Noted the location, time, and what I observed.
- Contacted a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or local authority.
- Did not feed, water, treat, medicate, raise, or release the bird.
- Followed the authority's instructions exactly.
What not to assume
- Do not assume you should pick the bird up — many situations are made worse by handling.
- Do not assume feeding or giving water helps; it can be dangerous.
- Do not assume home treatment, splinting, or medication is safe — it is not.
- Do not assume it is legal to keep or raise a wild bird; many are protected.
Contact a licensed rehabilitator or authority
This is the key step. Specialists can advise or take the bird into proper care.
- Any injured, sick, or trapped wild bird — contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or local authority.
- A bird of prey or large bird — do not handle it; wait for expert guidance.
- A bird in immediate danger (e.g. on a road) — describe the situation to the authority and follow their advice.
- Suspected poisoning or disease affecting birds — report it to the relevant authority.
- Any uncertainty — keep your distance and ask a qualified authority before acting.
What to Do If You Find an Injured Bird — Frequently Asked Questions
Should I pick up an injured wild bird?
Can I give an injured bird food or water?
Who do I contact about an injured wild bird?
Sources and further reading
Authoritative references used for general educational context. External links open in a new tab and these organisations do not endorse FaunaHub. Bird needs, behaviour, and local wildlife rules vary by species and region — confirm specifics with a qualified avian veterinarian, licensed wildlife rehabilitator, or local wildlife authority. This page does not give diagnosis, treatment, medication, or wildlife-handling instructions.
- Wildlife referenceRSPB — Birds and Wildlife — UK bird charity guidance on watching, feeding, and helping birds
- GovernmentU.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — Migratory Birds — U.S. government program for migratory bird protection
- Wildlife referenceNational Audubon Society — Bird identification, conservation, and observation guidance