First Aid for Injured Birds

  If you are to be of any help to an injured  bird, minimizing stress must be the first priority. Birds are often killed by shock rather than their injuries. Swift action on your part is a necessity as any delay increases stress.
 If the Bird actually allows you to approach it to pick it up, then it is likely to be in a very serious state and may be more traumatized by being handled.
 Don't try to examine the injured bird yourself. This causes more stress for it, and should be left to a trained rehabilitator or Veterinarian.

   The following is a step by step guide to what to do if you come across an Injured bird.

1. Gently throw a sweater or light blanket over the injured bird to keep it warm and still, also preventing further damage.
2. Put the bird into a well ventilated, cardboard box -It should be large enough so it can move around and get comfortable,  but not so large that it can jump around inside. The box should preferably be lined on the bottom with a towel or, if not available, newspaper. Never use straw or sawdust.
3. Do not try to feed the bird or give it water

Another Important thing is to take note of exactly where you found the bird, so that it may be returned to the wild in its own territory.

Care of Patient

  Unfortunately, most "orphaned" owls and birds are mistakenly deemed orphaned - oftentimes they're actually just in the process of testing their wings.
Many young birds disperse from their nests long before they can fly - this prevents overcrowding in the nest as the chicks grow. This is nature's way of helping to minimize any threat to the entire clutch from predators. Many young birds lose their footing during these first explorations and fall to the ground.
A grounded chick may look lost and vulnerable, but the chances are its parents know exactly where it is and will continue to feed it. Or, if given a few minutes to shake off the fall, it may gather itself and take flight.  Also, many young birds are quite capable of climbing back into their tree using beaks and talons.

Before doing anything with deserted chick you need to check the following things:

Is the chick obviously injured?

Is the chick in immediate danger from vehicles, people or predators? If yes, put the chick in the branches of the nearest tree and leave the area. The parents will NOT abandon it because you have touched it.

If the answer to both questions is 'No', then just walk away quietly and let nature take its course.

Do not remove the bird from the area unless you are positive it has been abandoned or if it is clearly injured. Seek expert advice immediately and do not attempt to treat or feed the bird yourself. It is all too easy to imprint a young creature on humans, thus rendering it incapable of being returned to the wild.

If it is absolutely necessary to pick up the bird, mark the exact spot you found it.  It is possible that it can be returned to its nest.

                                                                                              See the Nestlings and Fledglings