BIRDS

Common Problems

• ​Cat or dog attack
• Collision (windows & motor vehicles)
• Disease
• Entanglement (netting, fishing line)
• Fallen from nest
• Poisoning (e.g. snail & rat bait)

Information on

• Swooping birds here
• Don't feed the birds here
• Fencing and netting here
• Owls here
• Raptors (birds of prey) here​​

  
   

What you can do to help an injured bird
A common cause of injuries to birds are collisions with windows or motor vehicles and cat attacks. If you find a bird on the ground and it doesn't fly away when approached, there is something wrong with it.  If possible, approach the bird slowly, then, if confident carefully cover it with a towel and pick up. Handle birds gently as you do not want to cause it pain or further injury. Birds do not realise you are trying to help and may bite. 

Willie wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) © WRSC Gavin Swan

Keep its head covered as this reduces stress, and helps prevent biting. If you do not feel confident handling a bird, you can cover it with a laundry basket or box until help arrives. Removing visual stimulus can help keep the bird calm.  If the bird is in a box, placing a thick towel on the bottom will help keep feathers clean and stop the bird sliding around. The box should be just large enough for the bird to fit in comfortably, stand upright and turn around. Make sure the lid is securely fastened.  Do not give the bird food or water, and place the box in a warm, dark and quiet location awat from pets and noisy children, and call a wildlife carer. Rescue South Coast.

If you find a chick on the ground, it may be injured, sick, or exhausted. Some birds such as magpies and tawny frogmouths commonly leave the nest and naturally spend days on the ground before flying. If you do find a chick on the ground, please place it in a box as described above and call Wildlife Rescue South Coast for assessment advice. In many cases, it can be reunited with its parents - the best outcome for everyone!

Try to record the exact location where the bird was found as many are territorial and need to be released close to where they were found.
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Kookaburra © WRSC Shannon Thompson

Other Information

The following information provides some general advice and guidance about what to do if you should find an injured, sick or orphaned bird  that appears to be in need of help:

• It is an offence to trap, harm, keep, kill or trade most native birds and animals without a permit
• Most native birds have specific food requirements, and in NSW, you may NOT keep most native birds or other wildlife (even if it is sick).
• If using snail bait or rodent bait you may poison native lizards and birds such as Kookaburras, Tawny Frogmouths, Raptors and Owls. Use wildlife friendly alternatives.
• Many birds are territorial, and could be killed or injured if not released back into the area they are found 
• If you find a chick or injured bird, you should always contact a local wildlife group such as Wildlife Rescue South Coast or a vet, so the bird can get the best care. We have trained experts and specialist food to give them the best opportunity for release.
• Do not handle wild birds unless it is absolutely necessary to do so. 
• Raptors (birds of prey) must be rescued by a trained raptor handler, as even relatively small damage resulting from incorrect handling can be a set-back to its recovery.
• Birds don't know you are trying to help it. Birds can scratch and bite quite hard (especially parrots).