Encyclopaedia of Birdcare

Sick And Injured Birds

Some birds which appear to be in trouble are not actually in need of help, notably newly fledged youngsters which seem to have become lost. These should be left alone and will be found and fed by their parents, although if they are in a position which might cause them to be vulnerable to cats they could be carefully moved to a safer spot nearby. Sick birds are likely to be discovered by a predator before a human finds them, but injured ones found soon after the accident can be helped. Perhaps the commonest mishap in gardens is collision with glass in windows, or with vehicles on the road. Stunned birds should be placed a cardboard box in a warm spot for a couple of hours, and then if they seem to have recovered they should be set free out of doors. More serious injuries require specialised treatment, for example from a veterinary surgeon or perhaps the rspca, while in some places bird hospitals exist.

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