Found A Bird?
Thank you for caring — that instinct matters. Before taking action, the most important thing you can do is observe first. Many birds on the ground don’t need rescuing at all.
Wildlife Rescue Coalition does not currently accommodate birds, but we’ve got you pointed in the right direction.
The best help often starts with patience and understanding
Please note: Wildlife Rescue Coalition does not currently accommodate birds.
We want to make sure every bird gets the right care — so we’ve listed the best local contacts below. If you’re unsure what type of bird you’ve found, read through the tips below first, then reach out to the appropriate organization.
Found a Bird?
The Most Important Thing Is to Observe First
Birds are one of the most common wildlife calls we receive — and one of the most common cases where intervention isn’t actually needed. Before you do anything, give yourself a few minutes to watch. What you see will tell you almost everything you need to know.
Quick Steps to Help
Birds are one of the most common wildlife calls — and one of the most common cases where intervention isn't needed. The key question is whether you're looking at a fledgling or a nestling. Find your situation below.
Feathered and hopping? It's exactly where it should be.
A fledgling is fully or mostly feathered, hops on the ground, and can grip a branch. This is a completely normal stage of development — not an emergency. Its parents are nearby, watching and feeding it. Intervening does more harm than good.
- Step back and observe from a distance. Parent birds will not return to feed their young while people are nearby. Give them space — they're doing their job.
- Keep pets away from the area. Dogs and cats are the biggest threat to fledglings on the ground. Keep them inside or on a leash for 2–3 days while the bird builds its flight strength.
- Do not offer food or water. Parent birds know exactly what to feed their young. Human interference, even well-intentioned, can cause serious harm.
- If it's in immediate danger — on a busy road, directly in a pet's path — you can move it a short distance to a nearby shrub or low branch. The parents will find it.
- Human scent won't cause abandonment. This is a myth. What keeps parents away is our presence, not our scent. Once you step back, they'll return.
Who to call if help is needed
Featherless, fallen from nest, or visibly injured? Act now.
A nestling has few or no feathers, cannot stand or perch, and cannot survive outside the nest. An injured bird — grounded, unable to fly, or visibly wounded — also needs professional care right away. Contact a rehabilitator immediately.
- Try to return a nestling to its nest first. Human scent does not cause parent birds to abandon their young — this is a myth. If the nest is intact and reachable, gently place the bird back in it.
- If the nest is destroyed or unreachable, make a substitute: a small plastic container or berry basket lined with pine straw, secured to the shaded side of the nearest tree or shrub. Place the nestling inside and watch from a distance.
- For injured birds, place in a small box lined with a soft cloth. Keep it in a warm, quiet area away from pets and noise. Do not attempt to splint wings or treat injuries yourself.
- Do not offer food or water. Different bird species require completely different diets — songbirds need insects, raptors need meat, doves need seeds. Leave feeding to the professionals.
- Contact a rehabilitator right away. WRC does not currently accommodate birds — use the contacts below.
Did You Know
Quick Bird Facts
🌱 Fledglings Spend Time on the Ground
🪺 Human Scent Doesn't Cause Abandonment
🐥 Baby Birds Recognize Parent Calls
🦅 Different Species Need Different Care
Your compassion makes healing possible
Every rescue and second chance begins with caring people like you. Your support helps provide medical care, safe rehabilitation, and the time wildlife needs to heal and return to the wild where they belong.
Together, we can protect and care for the wildlife that shares our community.