If you find an injured bird...

Now that it is spring, determining whether or not a bird is injured or just a normal fledgling is difficult. If you find a bird that is clearly young on or near the ground and not apparently injured, it is best to let them be. The parents will care for their young themselves. However, if the bird is injured or in immediate danger, intervention is required. Here are some tips for making this decision and for what to do next using owls as an example along with pictures of our rehab team treating a barred owl with a broken wing. Getting this owl to the World Bird Sanctuary saved its life.

Owlet found on Ground:
In the case of an owlet found on the ground in March, April or May, it is almost certain that this will be a recently fledged owl. If the owlet is within a safe area, away from traffic, passers-by, dogs and cats and is not being harassed by crows, the bird should be left alone. The parents will be close by and tending to its needs once darkness falls.

Owl hit by a car/injured:
Keep the bird quiet, warm and in darkness. No attempt should be made to feed or give it water. Contact your local wildlife rescue organization or wildlife hospital. If you are close to the World Bird Sanctuary please call the office on 636-861-1392 and arrange to bring the owl in to our fully equipped wildlife hospital. It is essential to take the bird to an experienced vet for a prognosis and treatment.

In the case of severe weather, with the youngster being in danger of chilling, please contact the World Bird Sanctuary at 636-861-1392 between 9 am - 5pm.

Owls get used to humans very quickly and then cannot be returned to the wild. Please make sure that you have minimum contact with the bird while it is in your care.

treating an injured barred owl

splinting a broken wing

checking for other injuries

administering fluids and medication