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.
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.
If you see a sick, injured or orphaned raptor or bird of prey e.g. eagle, owl or hawk, please keep your distance, do not touch it or try to contain it. Please contact immediately WIRES for rescue assistance. Australia is fortunate to have a large number of native bird species and all native birds are protected.
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.
Birds bones heal much faster than mammals, and the bones may be sufficiently healed after just 3-4 weeks of care. Once the fracture site is stable, we remove all of the pins. The bird is then ready for flight conditioning before it can be released.
The bird is either sick or injured and must be taken right away to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Important: For the bird to have the best chance of recovery and release, you must contact a rehabilitator right away and transport the songbird there immediately. Don't ever try to care for the bird yourself.
Can a bird's broken wing heal on its own? Just as we're designed to heal after a break, the average bird can recover from a minor wound without any intervention. Often it will be starvation or a predator, rather than the injury itself, that ends her life.
A stunned bird can die because it may be injured or is a prime target for predators. How long will a bird stay stunned? It can take around two to three hours for a stunned bird to fully recover and be able to fly off.
Many birds are able to fly off after window collisions, but if they are knocked out or stunned and on the ground they should be gently picked up and placed in a warm, dark, sheltered place for at least two hours.
How to help a bird who has flown into a window. Gently cover and catch the bird with a towel and place her in a paper bag or cardboard box (with air holes) that is securely closed. Keep the bird in a quiet, warm, dark place, away from activity. Check on the bird every 30 minutes, but don't touch the bird.
Put it back in the nest if it doesn't have feathers
If the bird is very small and still featherless, you should place it back in its nest. If you can't find the nest, put the bird on a branch safely out of reach of dogs and cats.
An injured bird should always be passed onto a local vet, RSPCA in England and Wales, SSPCA in Scotland, USPCA in Northern Ireland or an independent rescue centre, so it can receive appropriate treatment without undue delay.
The best way to do this is to loosely wrap the bird in a towel and gently place it in a secure and well-ventilated box. Place the box away from noise, pets, children or other disturbances. Do not attempt to feed the bird. Contact your local wildlife rescue organisation who will be able to provide further advice.
From transduction to transmission, modulation, projection, and perception, birds possess the neurologic components necessary to respond to painful stimuli and they likely perceive pain in a manner similar to mammals.
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.
Evaluation of pain and changes in behavior are described, and stress-induced analgesia and changes in attention that produce analgesia are also discussed. It is generally accepted that birds perceive pain similarly to mammals.
Keeping the bird in the dark helps reduce stress, and a source of heat can help with shock. You can wrap a hot water bottle in a towel and place it inside or next to the box, making sure the bird can get away from the heat if it wants to. If it begins to pant, remove the heat source immediately.
The best thing to do in this scenario is to place the bird gently in a dark, quiet area to calm down and recover. If you are able to, place the bird in a peaceful, relaxed environment so that they can come out of shock.
Indications that a bird may be effectively stunned (but not killed): No rhythmic breathing (examine the bird's abdomen).
For most injured birds, place them gently in a box and keep them quiet, dark and cool. It may be that the bird is in shock and will soon recover so you can let it go. If it is more seriously injured, this will reduce stress on the bird until you can get advice on how you can help it.
Foods to offer: seed, millet, pellets, some fresh fruit, or easily digestible human foods such as mashed ripe bananas, applesauce, strained or soft vegetables such as peas or vegetables, infant rice cereal or baby food, oatmeal, or ground up pellets mixed with fruit juice.
When a Bird Loses a Leg. Many times when a bird is horribly injured or disabled it will not survive. Other consequences of the injury, such as weakness or infection, may take a toll as well, but some birds adapt amazingly well to being one-legged.
Sick and injured birds should be housed in a cardboard box with holes punched in the sides for ventilation. Putting them in a wire cage can cause significant feather damage which may render them unreleasable. Line the bottom of the cardboard box with a towel.
In the instance that you've found a trapped bird please call our helpline on 0300 1234 999 during the hours of 8am-8pm.
Call our cruelty line only to report cruelty, neglect or an animal in distress on 0300 1234 999 between the hours of 8am to 7.30pm.The call will cost the same as any call to a UK landline number.