How to Restrain and Rescue an Injured Bird or Animal
We at Volunteers cannot always go out to rescue/transport injured wildlife. As a volunteer organization our resources are limited. We often have to rely on the public to bring these animals to our hospital and appreciate your caring and help in this area.
Have an appropriately sized cardboard box with a top that can be securely closed, and punch small holes in the box for air. Have a pair of gloves, and a towel.
Baby Birds
Most baby birds can be picked up pretty easily by picking them up and placing them in a box. Close the box and call our hotline for further assistance.
Baby Mammals
Since even baby mammals can have tiny teeth and can bite, it is wise to use a pair of gloves to pick up a baby mammal. As above, place in a box, close the box and call our hotline for assistance.
Adult Birds
Please note that we do not recommend that the public attempt to restrain certain birds, such as herons, hawks or owls. These birds can be dangerous if not handled by a trained individual.
Adult songbirds, even without teeth, can pinch when they bite. Using a light pair of gloves, pick up the bird, put it in the box and call our hotline for assistance.
Certain birds can be tricky to catch. It is important to remember that birds fly. Even birds with severely injured legs can fly and can be difficult to catch. Any type of gull has the ability to hurt by using their beak. Using a light pair of gloves, throw a towel over the bird, place the bird and towel in a box, and extract the towel from the top through a small opening in the top. It is important to not leave the bird wrapped in the towel, as depending on the weather the bird can overheat).
Ducks, geese and swans
Ducks and geese are deceptively easy to catch if they cannot fly. They do not have teeth, and while they can pinch, it is rare that they can really hurt you. (Did you know that a full grown duck only weighs 2.5lbs, and a full grown Canada Goose weighs about 8 lbs?)
To capture injured waterfowl, you need more than one person. If there is a pond nearby, somebody needs to stand by the water or the bird will go in the water and there is nothing you can do—that is their advantage. Both people should stand with their arms open (see photo) and herd the duck to an area, if possible, where they are cornered. If the area is an open space, one person should capture the attention of the bird while the other one approaches with a towel.
Hint! Bring a dark pillowcase with you: If you are able to get a towel over the bird to restrain him, put the pillowcase over the bird’s head and it will sit down and not fight any longer. If it is injured and needs medical assistance, put the bird in a box, close the box and call our hotline for assistance.
Swans are bigger and more difficult. While they cannot really hurt you by biting you, swans use their wings to strike out, and can inflict damage by doing this—they can even break bones! Proceed with care if attempting to secure a swan, using the same instructions above.
Waterbirds (such as herons, egrets, loons)
Birds with long, pointy beaks use those beaks to stab at fish. They will also use them to defend themselves by stabbing you, particularly the eyes. Before attempting to capture an injured bird of this sort, call our hotline to discuss.
If you are able to place a box over the bird so that the bird is contained but you do not have to handle it, that is acceptable. If you decide to pursue capturing a bird such as this, do so carefully and at your own risk. Wearing goggles if possible, but at least glasses, throw a towel over the bird and quickly grab the beak of the bird. The bird will twist and flap its wings to free itself. Be careful to not let the beak go—place the bird in a football hold, put it in the box, letting go of the beak last and when the top is closed.
It is important to remember that you should not attempt this until you are clear on how to safely do this, and have the confidence to carry it out without injury to yourself or the bird.
Waterfowl or Herons Stuck in Fishing Line
This is a situation that comes up a lot in our hospital. Unfortunately, these birds often can still fly and will be difficult to catch. We often have to wait until the bird gets weak enough to catch.
Fishing line that is caught around a bird’s leg is very dangerous for the bird. As the bird fights to get it off, the line can get tighter around the leg. It can cut through the skin and muscles down to the bone. It is important to get the line off of the leg as soon as possible, so if you encounter this situation, please try and contain the bird if possible and contact us for further help.
Close encounters of the Wild Kind
Opossum (or raccoon) trapped in garbage can
Opossums have no home base; they are nomadic and will travel to where the food is. Sometimes, they get trapped or fall asleep in a garbage can not properly covered. You can wait until the evening and see if the opossum left on its own. If not, tip the can and walk away. Once the opossum leaves the can, cover it properly or take it into the garage where wildlife will not be attracted to it.
Raccoons are more intelligent; they know where the available food is and will stick around until it is no longer available. As above, keep your yard clean and the garbage covered. If there is nothing around to eat, the raccoon will move on.
Try and be patient enough not to force the opossum or raccoon out of the garbage can during the daytime. Both are nocturnal, and if they are forced awake and are seen wandering around, it is possible that they will be perceived to be sick when they are not.
Raccoons
Pursuant to the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Health, at this point all wildlife rehabilitators are barred from any work with raccoons due to the positive rabies cases in Nassau or Suffolk County. You can call the Department of Health as they request at the following numbers.
Nassau: Daytime: (516) 571-2290, Nighttime: (516) 742-6154
Suffolk: Daytime: (631) 852-5841
Please be advised that you will be instructed to hire a licensed wildlife trapper at your own expense, and that the raccoon cannot be relocated; it must be euthanized.
Ducks in Yard
If you have a gate, open the gate and herd the duck (with ducklings, if applicable) out of the gate.
Divebombing Birds
In the spring, we often receive calls of people being “attacked by birds” when leaving the house. This is a very typical behavior in the spring. There is probably a nest nearby that the bird is trying to protect, or the bird is acting territorial. Very rarely do the birds actually hit a person, it is a scare tactic that works very well!
To break this behavior, go outside with an umbrella and open it when the bird approaches, or wave your arms. Without harming the bird, chase the bird away. Please note that the bird will only do this until its babies are old enough to leave the nest.
Birds Colliding Into Windows
For many reasons (migration, fledglings learning how to fly, seeing landscape reflection in glass) birds sometimes do not see windows and fly into them. One way to help these birds out are to purchase window clings for your window. We have some for sale in our gift shop, or you can check out Whispering Pines to purchase some online.
Bird Hitting Window Intentionally
Is it sick? Doubtful. Most likely it is seeing its reflection in the window and is trying to drive the “intruder” away and defend its territory, not realizing it is itself. You can try drawing the blinds, or hanging a sheet outside to block the reflection. Once the bird does not see its reflection, the behavior will stop.
Numerous Dead Birds in Neighborhood
It is possible that someone in your neighborhood put some type of chemical treatment (lawn treatment) or pesticide down. This can affect songbirds in various ways. You can call the NYS Hotline for Dead or Dying Birds at 866-537-2473, or contact the Department of Health for information on how to proceed.
None of the Above
If you have encountered a situation that is not outlined here, please call our Wildlife Advisory Hotline and leave your information; your call will be returned.