Help! I’ve Found an Injured Animal!
Adult Birds
If you see a bird with a visible injury, it usually needs assistance. Some injuries/symptoms that you may see are described below.
Guide to Bird Identification
Not sure what you've found? Click here for a list of commonly-encountered birds on Long Island, complete with photos & descriptions.
Please note: Our charter only allows us to accept local indigenous wildlife. Swans, starlings, house sparrows, and pigeons are among the species considered invasive on Long Island. Although VW does not typically treat non-native species, we can assist you in finding help. Click here for more information on non-native, domestic, and exotic animals.
Drooping or Unsymmetrical Wings
A broken wing is ususally very easily identified; the injured wing may appear to hang down or drag on the ground, or it may be held up at an unnatural angle. This type of injury will not heal in its own, the bird will require medical attention from a vet or wildlife rehabilitator. Depending on the type of fracture and severity of the injury, it may or may not be possible to repair. Follow the steps in How to Restrain Injured Wildlife and contact us for further assistance.
Birds Attacked by Cats
If a baby or adult bird is attacked by a cat—even if no visible wounds are seen—it is imperative that the bird get to a wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian experienced in wildlife. There is bacteria in cats' saliva (Pasteurella) that can travel into the bird's bloodstream, causing septicemia and death if left untreated. Follow the steps in How to Restrain Injured Wildlife and contact us for further assistance.
Collisions
On occasion (and dependent upon migration season), birds sometimes collide into windows or buildings, causing head injuries or broken bones. Sometimes, the collision results in shock that can last minutes to hours. Other times, a serious injury occurs.
When a bird collides with an object or window, they can become dazed and will just sit there, not flying away when approached. Sometime, placing the bird into a cardboard box with holes, and allowing them to regroup is all the bird needs. If you see an obvious injury (blood on head or beak, or another obvious injury), call us for further advice or assistance.
Click here to learn more about window collision injuries and how to prevent them.
Angelwing
Although many parks have signs not to feed the waterfowl, it happens on a regular basis. Many people bring their children to the park to feed the ducks, and bread is usually the food of choice.
When young waterfowl are fed an improper diet while growing, it causes nutritional problems, and once they are grown it often manifests itself by something commonly known as “angelwing”.
Angelwing is a condition of ducks and geese where the last joint of the wing is twisted and the wing feathers point out, and do not lay smooth against the body. Every fall, we get numerous calls about geese and ducks with “broken wings” sadly, the wings are not broken but are deformed. The condition is irreversible and the bird will never fly, which also means it has no way to escape from predators. To learn more about how feeding ducks and geese can be harmful, click here.
If the bird you have found is a pigeon, starling, sparrow, escaped pet, farm-type bird, or otherwise non-native species, see our Exotics page for more information.
A Note About Keeping Wild Birds as Pets
Volunteers for Wildlife sometimes receives inquiries regarding people who would like to care for a wild bird themselves at home, and/or keep it as a pet. Please be advised that it is not in the best interests of the bird (or yourself) to do this. Wild birds have specific nutritional needs, and it is frequently difficult or impossible to replicate a complete diet for them in captivity. Furthermore, adult wild birds are highly stressed by being in captivity, and may bite. For more information, please see our full series of articles on keeping wild animals as pets.
If you are interested in caring for sick & injured wild birds, you might like to pursue a wildlife rehabilitator's license. Here are links to information on becoming licensed in New York State and beyond.
NYS DEC Wildlife Rehabilitation Licensing
Becoming a Wildlife Rehabilitator