Help! I need to know how to care for a sick bird I have found outside?

Question

I have found a little bird outside...I think she may have spent the night (at 28-30 degrees Fahrentheit) on my porch. When I found it in the morning she didn't make any atempt to fly or run fro me. She was cold and couldn't walk...I took her inside and try to warm her..she couldn't even stand (she'd fall on her back). She wasn't interested in water or bread crumbs...What should you do when you find a bird like this? What's First Aid for such a situation?

Answer 1

Call the Animal Shelter or SPAC, and they will walk you through the process over the phone.

Good luck to you both.

Answer 2

Based on your info I'm guessing the bird probably hit a window. Usually in this case you place the bird in a box, and keep it in in a sheltered area for roughly an hour, then open the box outside, if the bird flies out, all is good, if not close the box and contact the nearest liscenced rehab center as the bird will need to be treated. As stated in a previous post do not give birds milk, they are basically lactose-intolerant, do not try and give the bird water or other fluids as you will probably send some down the trachea and cause respiratory problems, don't peak in the box all the time to make sure the bird is all right, in its mind you are a predator and every time you look inside it's getting stressed.
If you aren't sure where's the nearest rehab center http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contactA.htm
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contactN.htm
Good luck

Answer 3

Oh stop with the avian flu! You're more likely to get run over by a bus. Make sure that you keep her warm and somewhere really quiet. Put her near a radiator or put a hot water bottle under the box. She may also appreciate some darkness as that will settle her. Make sure you put water in there with her, and depending on what type of bird she is you may like to put either some rice/bird food grains or some worms/meal worms in there. She'll know what she needs to do with them. She is probalby very exhausted and may well not survive but this will help to make her comfortable. Good luck xx

Answer 4

I just wanted to interject that while everyone is on the right track about three of the most important points (heating pad brooder, wildlife authority or avian vet/hospital, and fluids), you must not feed the wild bird milk. Birds aren't mammals and they're lactose intolerant -- even a pigeon's "crop milk" isn't really milk. A bird that's given dairy who has not been acclimated to it since early childhood might not just react by getting constipated. It may result in an intestinal blockage that leads to dehydration, starvation or infection. Your bird really needs pedialyte (lactated ringers) dispensed warm (100 F).

Also, don't you dare feed that bird uncooked rice or pasta, as it's been suggested. Rice will expand in her stomach and it can explode. Get her some moisture first, and offer her cooked stuffing when she gets strong enough for bread; then cooked rice, pasta, and veggie mix as she gets stronger, until you can get to the vet.

Answer 5

i found a bird kinda like that once.
1. lay a soft towl in a bowl & put a heating pad under the bowl.
2. put the baby in the bowl & kinda wrap it around her so she feels safe. but do not cover her up all the way.3. cover half the bowl with a towel so some of the heat stays in.
3. take a pair of tweazers & put some cat food in a cup & let it soak in warm water
4. when the food is soaked completely smash it up & pinch a little bite of with the tweazers
5. gently tap the front of the babys beak with the tweezers & she should open her mouth.
6. when she does drop the food in her mouth
7. she should eat it
8 if she does not open her mouth gently open her mouth & put the food in there
9. if she doesnt start to eat she is sick
10. after you make her comfortable call a wildlife animal control. they will take care of her & when she is grown they wikll set her free!

Answer 6

Wild birds are really hard to take care of. Look up a wildlife rescue near you and take it there. This is it's best bet for survival, if any. Good luck! In the meantime, keep it nice and warm!!

Answer 7

MARY!! LISTEN your question according to my time clock was posted 3 days ago. How is the bird doing? I save chicks that have fallen out of the nest during storms. Most I have to teach the process to go on, but unfortunately only a few can return to the wild. Fortunately or unfortunately there are 18 wild ones that I can not rehabilitate and are here with me. It is crazy that when I let one go because I think he is ready, he is on my windowsill in the morning shivering or at the aviary trying to get in. YA think some of them get spoiled!!!

Answer 8

they have stuff for baby birds a pet stores. i forget what it's called but it's like puppy formula or kitten formula only it's for birds. my friend use to have a pet cockatoo that was being hand-fed so i bet you could use that, only if it's not doesn't have feathers, injured, or not able to fly. but if it is able to fly and looks old enough to be on it's own then go outside and try to make it fly. that's what i did with a baby dove that i found. after i saved him he stayed around forever and is still here today. call a rehabilitater in the phone book and ask them if they will take the bird in today and if you have to wait awhile i would suggest getting the bird milk.

Answer 9

this is what i do to take care of a sick bird.
put her in a little box with a towel in the bottom put a light over the top to keep her warm. try giving her water with a medicine dropper or the tip of your finger try to put it into its beak from the side. for food take bread crumbs and soak them in a little water. gently put her beak into them to try and get her to peak it. usually this works and if she starts responding well then she should be ok to set free. hope it turns out.

Answer 10

Watch out Mary, make sure you use glove to touch the birds, there are still Avian Influenza out there.