Birds that are in shock appear weak, unresponsive, fluffed up and breathe in slowly and out quickly. Place the bird in a quiet, semi-dark, warm, humid environment. Warmth is essential in getting birds through a state of shock – temperature should be between 25 and 30 degrees.
The muscles in the legs and feet of dead birds will be stiff while birds that are just stunned will still have relaxed muscles in their feet and legs. Check the eyes. If you can see no blinking or movement in the bird's eyes, then it is probably dead. Dead birds will also have their eyes closed.
A dead bird looks like it has poor muscle tone will appear stiff and is cold to touch. A stunned bird looks like it is limp and weak from the physical trauma. Cover the bird with a cloth to keep it warm and check on the bird every 20 minutes. Recovery time may take a few minutes and some may take up to 2-3 hours.
Depending on the severity of the impact, it may take just a few minutes or up to 2-3 hours for a bird to recover, and during that time it should be stimulated as little as possible.
Birds go into shock very easily when injured, and often die from the shock. If a bird has hit a window and is still alive, it may just need a little time to regain its senses, then may be able to fly away. Do not try to force feed or give water to the bird.
At first glance, a stunned bird might look like a dead bird.
Aside from checking for breath and heartbeat, there are some clues you can detect simply by looking at the bird's body and posture. Dead birds are generally stiffer, while a stunned bird's form often looks limp, almost as if it was drugged.
According to psychologist and ecologist Gay Bradshaw, PhD—who established the field of trans-species psychology—captive birds experience Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from prolonged, repeated suffering.
Signs include seizures, ataxia, tremors, head tilt and blindness. Head trauma is common if the bird is free flying.
Try to restrain the bird immediately. Place it inside a small container (e.g., unwaxed paper bag or cardboard box) and move the container to a dark, quiet, warm space. B. Contact your local wildlife rescue (see list below) as soon as possible and arrange for the bird to be transported to their facility.
The following are indications that a bird may be sick or injured: The bird is quiet, dull, the eyes may be closed, and it has fluffed feathers (the bird looks “puffed up”). It may have an obvious wound, breathing problems, a drooping wing, or show lameness or an inability to stand. It does not fly away when approached.
Birds are often killed by shock rather than their injuries. Swift but careful action is a necessity as any delay can increase stress. Cover the bird with a towel or blanket and pick it up gently but firmly. For medium sized birds you will need two hands – one over each wing.
Biting, hissing, lunging, and excessive screaming are all signs to watch out for. Fear – While not all birds are outwardly friendly, if your bird suddenly becomes timid and avoids being handled, this could be a sign that your feathered friend is stressed.
The muscle becomes rigid and the bird becomes stiff, which is rigor mortis. Rigor mortis development in poultry is rapid (one to 3 h in chickens and turkeys) compared to other species (12 to 24 h in beef) [11].
The signs of shock include pale or white gums, a rapid faint heartbeat, rapid breathing, or below-normal body temperature (feels cold).
Birds can die with their eyes open or closed. A dead bird found with its eyes open didn't necessarily die that way, however. Whether a bird's eyes are open or closed at the time of death probably has a lot to do with the cause of its death, but little research has been done on the matter.
The bird will generally take 4 to 6 hours to recover from shock if there are no other major medical issues or injuries sustained – if it doesn't – seek advice. While the bird is in shock, don't force it to eat or drink.
As a Veterinary technician as well as a wildlife rehabilitator, I have worked with many birds with head and spinal injuries. Birds have an amazing ability to recover from these injuries.
More than 70% of birds die of head trauma instantly or within minutes. Of those that survive, the majority suffer a concussion. Many suffer internal bleeding, severe bruising and/or shock. Some are left with a fractured wing, clavicle (collarbone), sternum (breastbone) or other incapacitating injury.
Most birds with minor concussions recover within an hour or two if they're going to recover at all. If blood or black spinal fluid is coming from the mouth, the bird is most likely fatally injured.
Symptoms may include swaying, lightheadedness, or feeling as though you're moving when you aren't—and they can occur when a person is standing up, lying down, or shifting positions. Balance problems and dizziness occur as the result of damage to the brain's central or peripheral vestibular system.
When a bird is afraid, they pull their feathers close to their bodies. Showy birds like cockatiels may put their crests up or spread out their wings close to the ground. Some birds stand in a corner and rock from side to side.
These signs may include feather picking, depression, behavior changes, seizures, shallow breathing, lack of muscle control (ataxia), difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), increased thirst and urination, and green or bloody diarrhea.
An angry bird may stretch up tall or crouch into an attack position, or it may sharply flick its tail or spread its wings to make itself appear larger and more threatening. Sound: Many birds have alarm calls and other sounds such as bill clacks or hisses that can indicate agitation and anger.