What to do if you find an injured bird

Visit our advice page on baby birds for more information.

If it has no feathers it’s a nestling and should be (gently!) put back in the nest if you can see it. Contact an animal welfare organisation if you can’t see the nest, or if the parents do not return to the nest within an hour (links at the bottom of this page).

If it has feathers, it is a fledgling, and it is normal for them to spend a few days on the ground. Fledglings should be left alone unless they are in immediate danger and can be moved to a sheltered spot nearby e.g. under a hedge. It should fly away in a couple of days when its wings are fully developed!

Parents will not abandon baby birds because they have been touched by humans. While rushing in to save every lone baby bird you come across isn't recommended, and survival rates are low, sometimes intervention can save a life. 

Consider the risks and benefits of capture and treatment carefully before attempting to catch the bird. Birds suffer from shock easily, and the stress of being handled can result in death. Only help if it’s unlikely the bird will survive on its own in the wild.

Make a note of exactly where you found the injured bird. The end goal of catching and rehabilitating an animal should always be to return it to the wild, so it's important to make sure that it can be released in the right location. 

If you strike a bird with your car: Make sure it’s safe before getting out of your vehicle. The casualty may have serious injuries and will need urgent expert attention. Pick it up carefully.

If the bird has flown into a window: Let it rest in a dark space for a few hours. It is possible that it has internal injuries or is concussed, so during this time the bird will either recover or will die from its injuries. 

If your cat brought a bird home: You need to act quickly. Birds bitten by cats are at risk of septicaemia (blood poisoning), and without antibiotic treatment are likely to die. Even if the bird seems unscathed, it only takes a small scratch, and it is important to act fast, getting treatment for the casualty within 4 hours if possible. 

Approach the bird. Birds with minor or leg injuries will usually fly away. If it does, don't try to catch it, but if it doesn’t try to or can’t fly away then you may try to help it.

There is a myth that swifts cannot take off from the ground, but this isn’t true! A healthy adult swift can use its wings to launch into the air, as long as it has enough open space around it. Any swift found on the floor is likely to be exhausted, dehydrated or injured. As swifts are hard to care for, the best thing to do is consult a specialist swift carer. Never try to throw a swift into the air, as it may fall again and cause further injury. 

If you decide to catch the bird, take care. They have hollow, delicate bones, so improper handling can cause injury easily. Be firm, but gentle and be aware that even the tiniest tit may bite! Below are some things to consider before attempting to catch the bird.