Birds RESCUE AND TRANSPORTATION Birds are very difficult to catch with bare hands. An old coat, blanket or towel will help if thrown over the casualty. Although birds are easiest caught with a net. But, remember you will probably not catch a bird that can fly. Contact your local wildlife rescue centre for assistance. Once you have rescued a bird, most should be held around the shoulders to prevent their wings from flapping, and never allow birds near your face. DOVES AND SMALL GARDEN BIRDS All these birds are very susceptible to stress. It is best to transport them in a covered box, and leave opening of the box until you get to the wildlife rescue centre. SWANS Swans are easily stressed and exhausted, contact your local wildlife rescue centre for assistance. Swans can be scary, and everyone has heard about swans being able to break a mans arm with their wings. If confronted with a swan, give it room, an escape route, and wave your arms, let it get away to a place of safety, near water for example. GEESE Geese may bite but will not cause any injury, contact your local wildlife rescue centre for assistance. HERONS, BITTERNS, GREBES ETC. These may all try to stab a handler, especially around the face. If possible, wear protective goggles when handling these birds, and always hold the head away from you. BIRDS OF PREY AND OWLS All will attack you with their feet, but very seldom bite. Always wear thick gloves to handle these birds and keep control of the feet. It is best to transport them in a box that is covered, and keep as quiet as possible. CROWS AND GULLS All have very painful bites. Wear thick gloves for handling. Once again they should be transported in a covered box. WHEN TO ASSIST Bird cannot stand: Can mean one or more injured leg, or possible spine or head injury, the bird needs medical attention. One leg hangs useless: Fractured legs can be easily treated in birds, take to your nearest wildlife hospital. Needs medical attention One or more wing appears damaged: Birds need both wings to be in perfect working order. Any fractures need to be treated as soon as possible, take the bird to your local wildlife rescue centre immediately . Bird is a grounded Swift, Grebe, or Diver: Swifts feed on the wing and cannot take off from the ground, Grebes and Divers can only take off from water. Therefore, if blown down by the wind, these birds all need assistance to take off again. Bird is an ocean-going species stranded inland: Possibly blown of course by the wind. Need to be taken back to sea for release immediately, provided they are not injured. The beak is damaged: Birds cannot feed or drink with a damaged beak, need medical attention. Bird has oil on its feathers: Oil causes a number of problems, including loss of water proofing on the feathers. If birds preen they will ingest the oil. Contact your local wildlife rescue centre immediately. Do not attempt to wash the bird unless fully trained to do so. Featherless orphan: Not able to fend for itself. (See our orphan nestlings fact sheet) Bird standing in the road: Needs to be taken out of danger. Bird fallen in water (NOT water birds): Will become water-logged and drown. Definitely frozen in ice: Try to tempt the bird to move by offering it food. Once you have established that it is definitely frozen, do not put yourself in danger: never walk across frozen ponds, rivers etc. Contact your local wildlife rescue centre for assistance. Caught by cat: Any bird that is caught by a cat needs an antibiotic injection, even if there are no visible signs of injury. WHEN TO LEAVE ALONE Bird standing on one leg: Always watch the bird to see if it has another leg. Apparently orphaned: Parent birds can rear baby birds far more successfully than humans can. Always watch from a safe distance. Apparently frozen in ice: Water birds will sit on the ice for long periods of time. Always try to encourage birds to move, by offering food. Swan grazing in field: Swans can take off from land, and will often land in fields to eat the grass. Any bird with only one eye (except hawks or swans): N.B. Eye injuries or infections will need to be treated at your local wildlife rescue centre. When you would endanger yourself or others: Never put yourself or others in danger. Contact your local wildlife rescue centre for advice.