The blue sky would less-attractive, empty if there are no beautiful wing creatures roam it. The wildlife would keep silence if there are no wings creatures whose sing for them while they were rest on those branches. These flying wild animals conquered the sky with their sharp, glittering eyes, and those spectacular flutter of wings. Folks, do you understand whom I talked about? Yes, a hundred percent correct – the birds! Time to time thousand hundred of birds species keep embellish our planet.
From the ancient extinct animal species of bird such dodo in 1598, to the species which claimed and classified (by the official nature organizations) these presence days as endangered birds species such as vultures (could you believe that?), also to the adorable pet cockatiel; we could say that this species had lived side by side since the history of human existence. Every single morning you would welcome by the beautiful voice of birds, and those little song would bright up your day completely.
But, just like another living things, this animal could be be harm and in danger state, they could sick and need help. However, what would you do if you see one among other need your help, lying hopeless in front of you? That our theme today, wounded bird on the road? Here’s how to help. Don’t ignore the poor animal; if you could do something, why not just do it? So, in case you’re confuse and don’t know what to do, we would give you the proper treat to help the wounded bird step by step.
Observe the Bird’s Needs
When you saw injured bird on the road, make sure you remove him into the safe place (from the road), and observe the injured. Every injury need different treatment. So, it’s better if you start observing the bird’s needs first, make sure that you would not give him false help.
Make Sure the Age of Bird
Do not ever mistake the injured bird with the bird which start to learn how to fly. That is why make sure the age of bird is very important. Look closer to the bird from the distance because you would know the size of the bird. A little bird would indicate the young ages, also observe from a distance would give you time to establish is he an injured bird or a baby bird who learn how to fly, or it’s been falling nor abandoned by his mother.
Commonly, baby bird who start learning how to fly has feathers, and of he featherless you could bring him back to his nest because likely, he just fell down from the nest. You could warm your hand to give him (featherless baby bird) some warms before put him back into the nest. If you afraid that your scent would bother the mother later, it’s okay, she would not bother at all with your scent cover all her child body. Furthermore, if you search around and found no nest around, you could just put the baby in hidden places which could protect him from the eyes of predators.
Observe the Wound
If you found an adult bird, you could observe the injured. When the injured was gaped that was indication of bad injury and needs some helps immediately. However, you should rescue the bird quickly.
The Blood
The blood could easily notice even from some distance. If you notice blood in particular part of bird’s body, it means the bird was injured and needed help. It could be dangerous when the blood continue to running down, so give him the treatment as fast as you could.
The Movement
Another indication that a bird was injured is the movement. It doesn’t need blood all over the body, you should monitor the movement, do they struggle to fly or standing? If yes, there must be something out of place, neither the bones or the nerves, or other problems, you should help him immediately.
Make Some Considerations
You should consider another options before take care of the bird yourself. Example: you could just wait the professional to come and rescue the bird especially if the bird is large species such eagle, hawk, or falcon. Not only for his safety (the bird), it also for your own safety when you recklessly touch the bird.
Bring the Bird Home
Prepare the Box
First thing you should prepare if you decided to bring the bird home is a box as the bed. You could use cardboard box and put a towel or another fabric which soft enough. and make some holes surround the box as the ventilation. If the bird is large, you could use another material such cat carrier or other pet carrier. Cover the box or cage with towel or other fabric to give him peaceful environment. Do not ever use wire carrier, there’s possibility it could harm the bird.
Heating Tools
Keep the bird warm is important, you might also consider adding a heating source such as heating pad or zip-to-bag of hot water. You could place the heating pad at one end outside the box, but if use the hot water, place it inside the box and cover it with cloth.
Gloves
Don’t ever forget, even though the bird look harmless, he still a wild animal. There’s always possibility that the bird carry unhealthy substances with him. To protect yourself, make sure you wear the gloves everytime you touch him.
Cover the Bird
Cover the bird with towel, cloth, or other soft materials to make him more calm, also protect him from any harm object. Put him inside the box and let him rest.
Treat the Bird
Don’t Feed the Bird
My friends, I know that your attention is good, but it would be a good thing if you’re not trying to feed the bird. You don’t know the bird diet and it could trigger stomach problem, so probably the best option is the water. You could provide the bird with fresh and clean water. Let him drink by himself and don’t try to drip-feed the bird.
Find Professional Advise
The last from wounded bird on the road? Here’s how to help; is find professional advise. The one you could call is a vet or wildlife rehabilitator, because these people would immediately know what you must do and don’t, and how to handle your situation. Ask them every step to treat the wound on the bird and how to care him properly. Furthermore, if you still don’t know how to do it, or choose the safe way to help the bird, you could deliver the bird into the rehabilitation or vet. Don’t blame yourself though if you couldn’t help him, it’s really normal – you’re not a professional. You could take a license and learn animals medication if you want it!