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I've found an injured bird. What shall I do?

We can advise in most situations and will do our best to help. Please remember that we are staffed by volunteers.

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Firstly, observe the circumstances and what has happened. Has the bird been involved in an accident or flown into a window? Are other animals attacking it? Does it appear ill and needy? Is it gasping? Can you see blood, mange or mites? Can it walk or fly?

 

Call Wildlife in Need on 07734 047357 or use our contact form here. One of our volunteers will respond as soon as possible. Calls and emails are not monitored overnight.

What to expect

After making contact we usually propose one of these next steps, depending on circumstances

1. Having listened to your description, we may ask you to take it directly to a local vet. PLEASE CALL THE VET IN ADVANCE TO LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU ARE COMING.  The vet will do their own diagnosis and decide whether the bird can be treated or should be put to sleep. The Emergency Vet is at 101 North Rd, Poole BH14 0LT. Telephone 01202 383843 https://www.medivet.co.uk/24-hour-emergency-vet/24-hour-poole

2. If the bird is not damaged beyond repair, please bring it to us in a box. We will provide a contact number and a delivery address. PLEASE CALL FIRST, DO NOT ARRIVE UNANNOUNCED, WE ARE NOT OPEN 24/7.

3. We might ask you to hold the bird yourself for a few hours or overnight until we can get to your case.

4. In some cases, one of our designated drivers will collect the bird from you or arrange to meet you somewhere convenient, like a car park.

Looking after an injured bird

  • Birds are very fragile. Please take care.

  • Find a cardboard box that is large enough for the bird, but not so large that the bird might be able fly about and hurt itself. A shoe box (with air holes) works well for smaller birds. A cat cage is good for larger birds and small animals.

  • Take a towel, sheet or t shirt and place it quickly on top of the bird. Make sure the head is covered, this will help to calm the bird down

  • Scoop the bird up and place it in the box. Loosen the towel to uncover the bird

  • Close the box securely and leave it in a dark, warm and quiet place. Do not handle or look at it to minimize stress

  • Keep it warm. Small birds and nestlings will need packing with a towel or kitchen paper and a hot water bottle (not to hot) or a handwarmer.

  • Do NOT feed or give water unless specifically instructed by Wildlife in Need

  • TIME CRITICAL NOTE If a bird has been attacked by a cat, it needs to go to a vet or a wildlife professional quickly so that it can be given antibiotics.

 

Contact us for advice on how to proceed with bigger birds which may well have a sharp beak or talons. Each situation is different and many larger wild birds, especially geese and swans, can be dangerous.

Nestlings and fledglings

If you find a bird out of a nest, look at this video for advice.

Transport

If you are bringing the bird or animal to us, please secure the box or cage very securely, since injured birds can be hurt easily by movement inside a car. We have different drop off places depending on the type of bird, our volunteer will advise where to go. 

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Overnight and holidays (6pm-9am)

Contain the bird and keep it overnight in a dark, warm and quiet space, away from children and animals. Please don't feed it since birds can choke easily. 

Call Wildlife in Need in the morning (7 days a week).

If the bird is in critical distress, please call Poole Emergency Vet on 01202 382843 or the RSPCA wildlife emergency number on 0300 1234 999 (national) or East Dorset branch 01202 890415 (not 24 hours).

We know it's a stressful situation but ... be polite!

We know that caring for a sick or hurt animal can be upsetting. However, there have been a few occasions recently when callers have been rude to our volunteers who work long hours, often face difficult descisions and are not renumerated. At times, we are deluged with calls and it might take a few hours to sort out your particular case. 

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