I read a post today where someone had found a baby bird on the ground. I don't think they knew what to do with the bird.
What many people perceive as young animals left alone by adults to fend for themselves may in reality not be a case of orphaned wildlife. Many animals and birds do not stay with their young and return only to feed them. Before picking up or removing an animal to another location, first determine if the animal is actually orphaned. If a young bird has fallen from a nest, it can be gently replaced. Remove any threat to the animal by relocating pets and children indoors. Move to a location which will allow you to observe the animal while not posing a threat to it or to adults returning to feed or relocate their young. If after observing the animal for an appropriate period and determining that an animal or bird is actually orphaned, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in your area can be contacted to possibly take the animal. Licensed wildlife rehabilitators provide care for an animal to a point in which it can be released back into its natural environment. Bats, foxes, raccoons and skunks cannot be rehabilitated due to the possibility of rabies and should be left to survive on their own. Even orphaned suckling animals of these species have been known to transmit rabies.
INJURED WILDLIFE
Animals will often be more aggressive if they are injured or diseased. Be extremely cautious when approaching any injured animal or animal which appears to be sick or is acting in an abnormal manner. Relocate children and pets indoors. Bats, foxes, raccoons and skunks cannot be rehabilitated due to the possibility of rabies and should not be handled.
Locate a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator in your area if you find an injured animal. Licensed wildlife rehabilitators provide care for an animal to a point in which it can be released back into its natural environment. You may also contact your local veterinarian for the name of a rehabilitator in the area, or to ask if they would be willing to help. You can also call the Nongame Wildlife Office at (919) 707-0060 or Wildlife Enforcement Communications at (919) 707-0040 to obtain the name and telephone number of a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in your area. The Wildlife Enforcement Division should be called in the case of injured deer or black bear at 1-800-662-7137, or (919) 707-0040 for Wake County. If the injured animal can be identified as an endangered or threatened species, contact the Wildlife Enforcement Division or the US Fish and Wildlife Service at (919) 856-4786.
Click here to find a local rehabilitator.
If you take a bird to a wildlife rehabilitator, you can help by taking a donation of food, money, or volunteer your time and talents. Keep in mind that most organizations rely solely on donations from caring people like you. Your thoughtfulness will be greatly appreciated.
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Comments: 28
I know it was my article that you read earlier today. I actually posted that article before I meant to and I have not had the chance to update it or post an update-- going out of town in the morning.
I just thought I would let you know that we have a very dedicated wildlife rehab group here where I live and I actually did a service project with them as a girl scout so I knew exactly what to do and who to call for the help I needed. Bird is warm and last I heard responsive.
It was a great lesson for the girls as well.
Jan that isn't true! The baby birds will survive if given to a wildlife rehabilitator. They feed them just like their parents would.
Many have survived. My mother used to nurse injured animals and she had a better success rate than the professionals.
We know that we can save them if they get help, so get them some help.
Agreed, many times birds will fledge when it appears to the untrained as a case of accidentally falling out of the nest. Parents are usually very close by and observing any threats to the fledgling. Other times, a nestling may actually be pushed out of the nest intentionally, sometimes due to illness, the parent bird needing to expend energy on the nestlings with the better chances of survival, otherwise it will endanger the entire clutch. Or a parasitic bird, such as a cowbird, may have laid an egg in the nest. The parasitic nestling typically is much bigger and grows faster than the nestlings of the adopted family and will actually push the original nestlings out of the nest in order to dominate the food and attention.
I took care of 3 baby rabbits, the mother was killed by a lawnmower at vaccant houses that were built. We nursed them back to health because they havent been winged yet. Then we released them back into the wild.
I know that taking care of sick or injured animals is a risk, but I couldn't in good conscious not do anything. Great article. Thanks for posting.
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