Injured Wild Bird ❗️❗️

[Teza2plays]

My friends and I saw this bird flapping around in the backyard so we got it (with gloves). We think it’s possibly a young dove? It can’t fly and there’s definitely something wrong with its face. I have a dog and parrots at home so I just want to know if I should bring it home or leave it outside. I’ve set up a temporary cage for it in the farthest part of the house from my parrots. Was wondering what kind of bird this was and what was wrong with it? Also what we could possibly do to care for it?

Spoiler: Photos: graphic

 

[onamom]

Oh no! Thank you for trying to help the poor thing. I’d cover the cage with a sheet to help reduce stress. Are there any wildlife rehab centers in your area?

I have edited your post to place the photos within a spoiler because the injuries are a bit graphic.

 

[ravvlet]

That’s some kind of infection for sure - not clear if it is from an injury or disease. Please keep it away from your other pets, and make sure to follow quarantine protocol.

As far as care, your best bet is to reach out to the nearest wildlife rehabilitation facility. If you’re in the US, it’s illegal in most states to keep wildlife without a permit.

In the US, you can try and find one here:

https://www.nwrawildlife.org/

If you’re international, there’s a resource directory here:

Emergency - International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council

Emergency Wildlife Rescue: What You Need to Know Do you have a wild animal in need of assistance? We are here to help. Wild animals require specialized treatment and diets...

theiwrc.org

I hope the little guy pulls through.

 

[Free as a bird]

Even though there was a spoiler alert that is still tough to see. Not sure if it's from a disease or injury/wound but it's nasty.

It's sitting up on a perch which is a good sign, a sick bird sometimes won't have the balance to stay on a perch and will stay on the bottom of the cage Instead.

If you have nowhere to send it like an animal rehab then keep it isolated from your pets, give it access to water and food and monitor its progress.
Hopefully that facial growth resolves itself and you can let it back into the wild.

I've rescued some wild birds before. One was a juvenile crimson rosella (i think). It must of got hit by a car, I found it in the gutter and lifeless, I thought it was dead. But a birds powers of recovery is far more superior than that of humans and that little Rosella ended up surviving

So please don't give up.
Keep us posted on its progress

 

[Jcas]

It was very kind of you to try to help this little bird! If you cannot get it to a rehab facility and if the bird will let you, I would suggest trying to clean up that nasty spot on its face using a soft rag soaked in warm water. Doves eat grains so it can have chicken feed or crushed bird pellets and of course clean water. As other posters have stated, keep this bird quarantined from your other animals and wash your hands VERY thoroughly after doing anything with it. Besides disease/infection wild birds can also carry parasites so it’s best to take every precaution. Good luck with this little bird and please do let us know how it is doing!

 

[HannahandSunny]

Thank you for helping this poor bird.
Please take it to a wildlife carer or a vet.

 

[Free as a bird]

It's easy to say "take it to a vet" but you have to acknowledge that they cost $400 an hour even more.
I simply can't afford to pay a vet that much money every time i find an injured bird. I do find injured and stray birds regularly.
I just have to nurse them myself.

 

[onamom]

It's easy to say "take it to a vet" but you have to acknowledge that they cost $400 an hour even more.
I simply can't afford to pay a vet that much money every time i find an injured bird. I do find injured and stray birds regularly.
I just have to nurse them myself.

Many vets rehab wildlife for free! My local one does. Worth a check to find out.

 

[clark_conure]

Is the lower beak intack? Hard to see from the pictures. If so the bird will scab up, heal up, and probably be ok. If not it might be so ....opportunistic.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

It's easy to say "take it to a vet" but you have to acknowledge that they cost $400 an hour even more.
I simply can't afford to pay a vet that much money every time i find an injured bird. I do find injured and stray birds regularly.
I just have to nurse them myself.

A vet that sees pets generally will not see wildlife. You need to take injured wildlife to rehabbers. It's good for everyone (who cares) to know in advance who to call when the need arises rather than wait until you have a wounded critter on your hands.

 

[Free as a bird]

A vet that sees pets generally will not see wildlife. You need to take injured wildlife to rehabbers. It's good for everyone (who cares) to know in advance who to call when the need arises rather than wait until you have a wounded critter on your hands.

Good point. I went to google maps and searched "injured wildlife rehab" and sure enough there is at least one on my side of town