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Assess the Situation
Assess the Situation
If you see a bird on the ground, your first instinct may be to help it. But before you act, take a moment to assess whether the bird truly needs help.
Not all wild animals who appear orphaned or injured are actually orphaned or injured. And in most cases, the best thing to do is to leave it alone, as intervening may do more harm than good.
Social media is full of viral videos showing people “rescuing” injured or baby wildlife. While these videos are often well-intentioned and emotionally compelling, they distort how wildlife is perceived and normalize inappropriate and harmful human interactions.
Before stepping in, pause and observe the surroundings. Try to determine what may have happened. Is there a fallen nest nearby? Was there recently strong wind or a storm? Does the animal truly need help?
If you found a baby bird, ask: Is it a nestling or a fledgling?
If you found a baby bird, ask: Is it a nestling or a fledgling?
Nestling
Nestlings are very young birds that have little or no feathers and may have closed eyes. These birds are usually too young to be out of the nest.
What to do if they are found outside a nest:
Locate the correct nest nearby (usually with similar baby birds) and gently place the bird back in its nest.
If you cannot find or safely reach the nest, leave the bird where it is or place it in a small makeshift nest (such as an open box lined with paper towels) in a nearby shaded spot.
Watch from a distance for 1-2 hours to see if the parents return.
Parent birds will not reject babies because of human scent (it's a total myth) and will continue to care for the fallen chicks.
Fledgling
Fledglings are older baby birds that are mostly feathered, have short tails and fluffy feathers and can hop, flutter, perch or fly clumsily. They often spend time on the ground while learning to fly.
This stage is completely normal. Parents are usually nearby and still feeding and supervising them even when you can't see the parents.
What to do:
Leave the fledgling alone if it appears alert and uninjured
Keep your distance to avoid spooking the parents.
Keep pets and people away from the area.
If the bird is in immediate danger (i.e. roadside), gently move it a short distance to nearby shrubs or cover.
In most cases, the best thing you can do is give them space while their parents continue caring for them.
A hummingbird nestling next to its mom inside the nest.
A house finch fledgling. It was learning how to fly and kept clumsily hitting a wall (it was fine!) while its parents were watching nearby.
Determine if a bird truly needs help
Determine if a bird truly needs help
A bird may need professional wildlife rehabilitation if it:
has visible injuries or bleeding
has a drooping wing or leg
cannot stand or balance
is weak or unresponsive
was caught by a cat
is trapped or entangled (fence, fishing line, sticky trap, netting, etc.)
is clearly orphaned because the parent birds are confirmed dead
is a featherless nestling on the ground with no accessible nest nearby and no parents returning
What to do:
Most native wild birds are protected by state and federal laws, and rehabilitation requires specialized permits and training. For the safety of both people and wildlife, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before intervening whenever possible.
Always call ahead before transporting an animal to confirm that the rehabilitator can accept the species you found.
For your safety, never approach wildlife behaving abnormally (circling, staggering, discharge from eyes or nose, etc.). Always wear gloves when handling wildlife and wash your hands afterward.
What NOT to do:
Do not force feed birds food or water unless instructed by a rehabilitator
Do not keep wild birds as pets
Do not handle injured birds unnecessarily until instructed by a a rehabilitator
Do not assume a bird is abandoned simply because it is alone temporarily
Birds require specialized diets and care, and improper handling can worsen injuries or stress.
Contact a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator
Contact a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator
If you believe an animal is truly injured or orphaned, use the Animal Help Now Rehabilitator Directory to find an expert that handle the species you found and contact them for guidance.
Some local resources:
Vida Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center
Phone: (928) 264-7804
Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Monday through Sunday
Arizona Game and Fish Department (Yuma Office)
Phone: (928) 342-0091
Thank you for caring about local wildlife and wanting to help responsibly when animals are in need. 💚
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