Help! I’ve Found an Injured Animal!
Please note, touching a baby bird to put back into a nest will NOT cause the parent to reject it. In most instances, both parents care for their young. So if you find a dead parent that you think is caring for that nest, it is likely that the remaining parent will continue the role in caring for its young.
Baby Birds
There are two types of baby birds: altricial and precocial. Select one of the following for more information by clicking on the photo...
Altricial
These birds are born without feathers, their eyes are closed, and they rely on their parents for warmth and food. Baby songbirds such as robins, bluebirds, bluejays, orioles, sparrows, wrens, and cardinals are altricial. Click Here if you have found an altricial baby bird.
Precocial
These birds are born with fuzzy down and can walk upon hatching. Birds such as ducklings, goslings, piping plovers and killdeer fall into this category. Click Here if you have found a precocial baby bird.
Please be aware that is is illegal to keep a native wild bird in captivity, or destroy the nest or eggs of a native wild bird. All native species of birds are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Legally, you are required to seek help from a federally permitted rehabilitator if you find a native bird orphaned or in distress.
Links for Identification
Messinger Woods has several links that can help you identify what you have found:Birds attacked by Cats
Sometimes, accidents do occur. 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. Cats carry a bacteria in their saliva (Pasteurella) that can travel into the birds bloodstream, causing septicemia and death if left untreated.
Things To Avoid
- Never place an animal or bird in a cage: The best thing to do is place them in a cardboard box. Just having the animal’s visual removed will calm the animal best. Putting a bird in a birdcage will not only stress the bird out, it will ruin their feathers, which are crucial to its release.
- First Aid: Please do not attempt first aid on your own. It is often difficult to backtrack and remove tape that have been applied to feathers and skin.
- Food/water: It is not necessary to offer food or water, as a shocked or injured animal will probably not eat, and eating can do more harm than good. Contact a local rehabilitator for assistance.
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.