Bird Rehabilitation
Found Young or Injured Birds?
Although it is difficult and often not successful, it is sometimes necessary to try to rehabilitate injured birds or raise young ones . There is good advice on the links below. However, it is VERY difficult for the inexperienced to rehabilitate or raise birds. Raising babies should be left to the parents whenever possible. Note also that it is against U.S. Federal Law to possess eggs, birds, nests, or feathers without a permit or license.
The best thing to do in almost every case is to return the youngster back to where you found them. Do not place them back in the nest as they most likely left on their own accord and will just jump out again.
If you discover an injured bird, it is best to contact a wildlife rehabilitation center or a wildlife rehabilitator near you (see links below) or call your local wildlife official for advice. For obvious reasons, wildlife rehabilitation organizations are all local or at least restricted in the geographical area they serve. You can look them up in the Wildlife Rehabilitation Information Directory.
Just a Few Rehabilitation Centers in the U.S.
Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research
Raptor Center
National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association
Wild Bird Rehabilitation
Wild Bird Rescue
Locating a Wildlife Rehabilitator
If you wish to become seriously involved in wildlife rehabilitation, especially that of migratory birds that are protected by federal law, you need to have a federal permit. Click here for more information and an application form.
You can also get information and subscribe to the Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation
How to find a wildlife rehabilitator
Other Rehabilitation Programs
Avian Haven
Chesapeake Wildlife Sanctuary
Cobequid Wildlife Rehab Centre
International Bird Rescue Research Center
International Wildlife Rehab. Council
Outreach for Earth Stewardship
Owl Rehabilitation
Raptor Rehabilitation
Raptor Rehabilitation and Research
Wild Bird Fund
Abandoned Bird
Baby Songbird Rescue
Baby Songbird Rescue 2
What to Do When You Find a Baby Bird
What to do with an Injured or Abandoned Bird
Adult Birds
Wild birds will absolutely return to a fallen nest, especially if called by their hungry babies. If a bird’s nest is knocked to the ground, return it near it’s original location. If the nest is damaged, the remaining material can be put inside a container with drainage holes (e.g. strawberry container) and wired into place near the original location. Set the babies back into the nest and watch from a distance to make sure the parents find the nest.