What to do when you find an injured bird

Yesterday I found a small injured bird in our backyard. Not being sure what to do I called my veterinarian and they referred me to Rogers Wildlife Sanctuary, just 10 minutes south of downtown Dallas. I also found some helpful information about what to do with the bird before you can take him to the vet or wildlife rescue. 

We found out our little bird is a Fledgling White Wing Dove and he will be okay. Big thank you to the staff at Rogers Wildlife Sanctuary. They are wonderful people and please go see them if you have the chance!

Information from the National Audubon Society:

If you find an injured bird, carefully put it in a cardboard box with a lid or a towel over the top, and place in a cool, safe place. Birds go into shock very easily when injured, and often die from the shock. If a bird has hit a window and is still alive, it may just need a little time to regain its senses, then may be able to fly away. Do not try to force feed or give water to the bird. If it is still alive after a few hours, you can try to find a local wildlife rehabilitator. Many belong to your state association for wildlife rehabilitators, and can be found with an on-line search.

The Wildlife Rehabber website has a listing by state of many rehabbers that might be useful:http://wildliferehabber.com/modules/xoopsmembers/

The Wildlife International website also has a directory of rehabilitators worldwide that may have other facilities listed for your region:www.wildlifeinternational.org/EN/public/emergency/emergencyrehab.html

If you have found an orphaned bird, the first step is to determine if it is really orphaned. When many young birds first fledge and leave the nest, they may still have a little down with short tail and wing feathers. Fledglings often also have weak flight muscles and may be fed for a few days by their parents outside of the nest. This is a very vulnerable time for young birds, as they are easy prey for roaming cats and other predators. It is important to keep fledglings safe and to allow the parents to continue feeding them.

If the bird has fallen out of the nest prematurely, or if a tree was cut down and a nest of young is found, a rehabber may be needed. The following chart from the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association can help you determine the proper course of action:http://www.nwrawildlife.org/sites/default/files/FoundBird.pdf .

DALLAS resource: Rogers Wildlife Sanctuary

10 minutes south of Downtown Dallas

972.225.4000

1430 E Cleveland St, Hutchins, Texas

http://www.rogerswildlife.org/