Understanding and Assisting Injured Birds

Birds, like any other beings, can end up in unfortunate situations that may cause them harm. Encountering an injured bird can be quite distressing. One may feel a sense of urgency to help but might not know what to do or how to do it. It’s important to understand the basics of bird injuries and their handling to ensure you offer real assistance and avoid inadvertently causing more harm.

The range of injuries a bird could suffer is broad. They can experience broken wings, broken legs, concussions, or internally produced problems like parasites and malnutrition. The cause of these injuries can also vary. They could be natural, such as bird fights, falls, or predator attacks. They may also be man-made, resulting from pollution, car impacts, window collisions, among others.

Helping an Injured Bird

If you find an injured bird, the first step is to ensure you are safe. Some birds may carry diseases that can transmit to humans, while others may resort to pecking or scratching as a defense mechanism. Here’s what you need to do next:

• Firstly, put on gloves and softly cover the bird with a cloth or towel. This will help to calm the bird and make it easier to handle.
• Secondly, prepare a suitable temporary housing. The container should be well-ventilated, secure enough the bird can’t escape, and without water and food unless advised by a professional.
• Lastly, keep the bird in a quiet, safe place while you look for professional help.

Once safe, your next step should be contacting local animal rescue. They will give further instructions and may send someone to collect the bird or provide a location to bring it. It is crucial to avoid trying to treat the bird yourself. Not only does this often do more harm than good, but in many countries, it’s also illegal to possess wild birds without a license.

Rehabilitation & Recovery

Depending on the bird’s injuries, the animal rescue might enlist the help of wildlife veterinarians who specialize in ornithology. These experts understand the unique anatomies of different bird species and know the best treatments for specific injuries.

Recovery time varies based on the bird and the severity of its injuries. In this period, the bird might receive physical rehabilitation, medication, surgeries, or it might just need some time for its body to heal. While in care, every effort is made to minimize human contact to keep the bird wild.

When ready to return to the wild, most rescue centers use a soft release program. This process gradually reintroduces the bird back into its natural environment, ensuring it can cope with the demands of the wild.

Conclusion

Encountering an injured bird can elicit a strong desire to help. However, handling and treating injured birds should ideally be left to the professionals.

If you come across an injured bird, remember that your role should be to safely contain the bird and promptly contact an animal rescue. This way, the bird has a higher chance of making a full recovery and returning to its natural environment.