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Injured Birds

During the late spring and summer many baby birds, who have left the nest prematurely and are unable to fly, are mistaken for injured birds. Therefore it is important to determine whether or not the bird is in need of human intervention before taking any steps.

IS THE BIRD REALLY INJURED?

• A bird on the ground during the spring and summer nesting season is often presumed to be sick or injured when, in fact, it is a nestling that left the nest before it could fly. Observe the bird for a couple hours, if it can walk, hop, and flap its wings, or if adult birds are nearby, the bird should be left alone. The parents will continue to care for it.
• During the fall, winter, and early spring (September to mid-May), a bird that is on the ground and unable to fly is probably injured. Slowly approach the bird, if it doesn't fly away when a human is within ten feet or so, there is something wrong.
• When birds fly into windows, they are temporarily incapacitated due to swelling of the brain. After several hours, the bird will usually recover on its own and does not need to be transported to a wildlife rehabilitator. If there is a concern about predators, the bird can be placed in a quiet location in an enclosed box. As the swelling subsides and the bird becomes more active, it should be released.
• Hawks sometimes perch on a tree branch for hours, watching for prey, or possibly digesting prey it has eaten. This is normal behavior and they are not injured - in time, they will fly off.

If it is determined that the bird is injured, it can be transported to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or allowed to die naturally, without human intervention.

A list of rehabilitators is available on Mass Wildlife's (formerly the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife) website at: www.masswildlife.org.

DEATH OF WILD ANIMALS
Often, well-intentioned human attempts to help an injured or sick animal result in prolonged suffering and distress. Even though people have the animal's best interest in mind, the more humane approach would be to allow the bird to die a natural death.

The natural world is very different from our world - predation is the only way most wild creatures survive. Many of our small birds eat insects, and larger birds at the top of the food chain prey on small birds or mammals. A sick or injured bird will become prey for another animal, helping to assure the predator's survival for another day or two.

Mortality in wildlife populations is normally very high. For instance, research shows that in many species, fewer than 50 percent of baby birds survive to adulthood. This seems harsh to humans, but it is nature's way of maintaining numbers that the environment can support.

SITUATIONS AND SOLUTIONS

LICENSED WILDLIFE REHABILITATORS
These individuals, from all walks of life, are trained to care for sick, injured or, in some cases, orphaned wildlife. Before a wildlife rehabilitation permit is issued, the applicant's facilities must be inspected to ensure that state standards are met, and applicants must pass a test administered by the state. There is no compensation by the state for participants in this program. The permit office of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife has the responsibility for this program.

If it is determined that an animal brought to the rehabilitator cannot be released back into the wild, in most cases, it will be euthanized. The exception would be raptors or unusual mammals that may be housed by institutions, permitted by the state to possess non-releasable wildlife for educational purposes.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICE
The Environmental Police (1-800-632-8075), will sometimes pick up an injured hawk, falcon, or owl and transport it to a rehabilitator.

ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF BOSTON
The Animal Rescue League of Boston will help if the animal has been caught or is brought to its facilities. The League also has the capabilities to rescue both domestic and wild animals in a wide variety of situations, usually within the Route 495 belt. They will attempt to rescue most any wild animal including pigeons, starlings, and House Sparrows, and then release or transport them to a rehabilitation center when appropriate, otherwise they will humanely euthanize seriously ill or injured animals.
All four care centers offer rescue service and can be contacted by calling:

Boston 617-426-9170
Dedham 781-326-0729
Salem 978-744-7910
E. Brewster 508-255-1030
Pembroke 781-862-6140

TEMPORARY CARE
To avoid further injury, keep the bird calm until it can be transported to a rehabilitator. Place it in a small box that is ventilated at the top and put the box in a dark, quiet location away from drafts and noise.

Shallow dish containing water may be set in the box, but do not force feed the bird. Be sure to remove the water before transporting the bird to a rehabilitator.

BIRDS AND THE LAW
All birds are protected by federal laws under the "Migratory Bird Act of 1918," as well as by Massachusetts state laws. It is illegal to destroy, relocate or possess birds, their nests or their eggs. The only exceptions are non-native species: House Sparrow, European Starling, and Pigeon. Trained and licensed wildlife rehabilitators, who have passed a federal and/or state-administered test, are permitted to care for injured or orphaned wildlife.

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