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Take a hands-off approach: An animal that seems in distress may be better off without your help.
RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—Well-intending, good-hearted people can actually be a baby bird or bunny's worst nightmare. And perhaps no one knows this better than licensed wildlife rehabilitator Peggy Hentz, founder and director of Red Creek Wildlife Center in eastern Pennsylvania. Hentz says the days following Memorial Day are typically among the busiest of the year for her and her colleagues because people are outside picnicking during the holiday weekend, sometimes capturing baby birds and other animals they think are in distress, and storing them over the long holiday weekend, when they think a rehabilitation center will reopen. (In fact, rehabilitators are typically available every day, even on holidays.)
And the truth is, often the animals we think are in distress are just fine, and human interference is unnecessary. Or, in worst-case scenarios, is even deadly for the baby animal. "Right now, many baby birds are going through a natural fledgling process," explains Hentz, author of Rescuing Wildlife: A Guide to Helping Injured and Orphaned Animals
"Many baby birds leave the nest unable to fly. They will be on the ground or on a branch for a period of time, and you'll rarely see mother," says Hentz, also president of the Pennsylvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators. "People think they've fallen out of the nest and they bring them in."
Here's what to do if you find a baby animal:
• Look for signs of distress. A baby bird that seems lost doesn't warrant you scooping it up and keeping it in a cardboard box in your house. The mother is likely nearby, and unless you spot a serious problem signaling the baby bird is not well, leave it alone. Or, if it's in harm's way, like in the middle of the road or in a yard with a cat or dog, move it to a safer area nearby.
If there are flies or maggots congregating around the animal, however, that signals a problem, because body temperature changes—either too hot or too cold—invite these pests. Or if the baby animal is seriously lethargic or hot to the touch because it's been out in the sun, or you can see blood or broken bones, it definitely needs help, too.
• Call for qualified help immediately. Catching the animal and try to nurse it back to health yourself could be a death sentence for the animal. As soon as you find an injured baby bird or other animal, find a wildlife rehabilitator in your area and describe the situation. The rehabilitator will give you further instructions, and may ask you to safely box up the animal and bring it in. If you cannot get in touch with a live person, assess your situation on Red Creek Wildlife Center's 24-Hour Virtual Expert, which will ask you assessment questions and give the best advice for your situation.
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Micheal
Rescue
There are special instructions when it is really necessary to pick up a baby squirrel as usually the mothers pick up their youngsters, just as birds do. I recommend checking the Rehabbers websites first.
We recently had a case where squirrels fell from the tree and the mother was found her dead later. We rescued the babies, but from picking them up I got flea bites. Unless you took care of parasites, I would seriously recommend handling them outside your living area. Don't DIY, don't feed milk, check with your rehabber and drop them off. They are not toys, pets or puppies.
Baby Birds
We just found a baby bird in our yard. We sat it back in the tree, but it cannot fly, and kept falling to the ground. By the end of the day it was getting weak. We placed the bird into an open cage in a tree and secured the cage with a zip tie (we have high winds)Both parents have been tending the to bird for a week now, and he/she has grown. I have three cats that are quite the hunters so I couldnt leave the baby on the ground. Hopefully it will be able to fly soon as we have had to keep the cats inside.
Migratory Birds
Good post. But I'd like to add that it is actually illegal to handle migratory birds (including their feathers, nests, eggs, etc.) Most all birds fall under this "migratory" category, with the exception pigeons, starlings, and house sparrows. Most birds will be fine and should not be touched; but if you feel it's absolutely necessary to intervene, call a rehabilitator -- they've got the appropriate licenses to handle birds.