Sick or Injured Birds
How to recognise when a wild bird needs help
Finding a sick, injured or distressed bird can be worrying. Birds often hide signs of illness or injury, so changes in their behaviour or appearance may be the first indication that something is wrong.
At CapesWildlifeRescue, we provide advice and assistance for wild birds in need. Knowing when to intervene — and when to leave a bird undisturbed — can make a significant difference to its welfare.
If you are concerned about a bird, contact us for advice before attempting unnecessary handling or bringing it to our site.
1. Signs That a Bird May Need Help
A bird does not need to have an obvious wound to be unwell. Look for changes in its posture, movement, breathing and behaviour.
Potential warning signs include:
Inability to fly: The bird cannot take off, repeatedly falls or appears unable to use one or both wings.
Difficulty standing or walking: It is unable to support its own weight, repeatedly falls over or has obvious difficulty moving.
Visible injuries: Bleeding, open wounds, swelling, a drooping wing or an abnormal leg position.
Fluffed-up feathers and lethargy: The bird remains unusually still, appears weak or seems unresponsive to its surroundings.
Abnormal breathing: Open-mouth breathing when not associated with normal exertion, pronounced tail bobbing with each breath or obvious respiratory effort.
Neurological signs: Circling, loss of balance, head tilt, tremors, seizures or an inability to coordinate movement.
Discharge or abnormal growths: Unusual material around the eyes, nostrils or mouth, or visible lesions inside the mouth.
Difficulty eating or swallowing: The bird repeatedly attempts to eat but cannot manage food, or appears to have an obstruction.
Unusual behaviour: A normally wary wild bird allows close approach, remains grounded in an exposed location or does not react appropriately to its surroundings.
These signs do not establish a diagnosis, but they can indicate that a bird needs professional assessment.
2. A Bird on the Ground Does Not Always Need Rescuing
Not every bird found on the ground is injured or abandoned.
Young birds, particularly fledglings, often leave the nest before they can fly confidently. Their parents may continue feeding them while they develop their flight and survival skills.
Before intervening, consider the bird's appearance, behaviour and surroundings.
A bird may need help if it:
Has an obvious injury or is bleeding.
Is unable to stand or move normally.
Is struggling to breathe.
Is cold, weak, unresponsive or severely lethargic.
Has been caught by a cat or bitten by a dog.
Is trapped or in immediate danger.
If the bird appears alert, mobile and otherwise healthy, observe it from a safe distance and seek advice if you are unsure.
Avoid chasing or repeatedly approaching the bird. Excessive disturbance can cause stress and may separate young birds from their parents.
3. What Should You Do If You Find a Sick or Injured Bird?
If you believe a bird needs help, follow these steps.
Step 1: Assess the Situation Safely
Observe the bird without approaching unnecessarily. Look for obvious injuries, difficulty breathing, abnormal movement or signs of immediate danger.
Do not put yourself at risk, particularly around roads, water, electrical hazards or potentially dangerous birds.
Step 2: Contact a Wildlife Rescue
Contact CapesWildlifeRescue and explain what you have found.
Where possible, tell us:
What species the bird appears to be.
Where it was found.
Whether it can stand, walk or fly.
Whether you can see any injuries.
Whether it has been attacked by a cat or dog.
How long it has been in this condition.
Photographs or videos can be helpful if they can be taken safely without disturbing the bird.
Our team will triage the situation and advise you on the appropriate next steps.
Step 3: Follow the Advice Provided
Some birds may need to be left undisturbed, while others require safe containment and urgent assessment.
If we advise you to contain the bird, follow the species-specific instructions provided. Do not attempt to catch a bird of prey, heron, swan or other potentially dangerous bird without appropriate guidance.
Step 4: Arrange Admission if Required
If the bird needs admission to CapesWildlifeRescue, we will agree an arrival time and provide the necessary site details.
Please do not arrive without prior authorisation. All admissions must be agreed with our team in advance.
4. Safely Containing a Bird
If you have been advised to contain a bird and it is safe for you to do so, the correct container and handling method can help reduce stress.
For a small bird, a suitable ventilated cardboard box may be appropriate.
Use a secure container with adequate ventilation.
Keep the environment quiet, dim and away from children and pets.
Use suitable, non-looped absorbent material where appropriate.
Keep the bird away from direct sunlight, radiators and other sources of excessive heat.
Avoid repeated handling to check whether the bird has improved.
Keep the container secure during transport.
Different species require different approaches. Larger birds, waterbirds and birds of prey may need specialist handling and containment.
Never attempt to handle a bird if doing so could put you at risk or cause further injury. Seek advice before intervening.
5. What Not to Do
Well-intentioned actions can sometimes make a bird's condition worse.
Please avoid the following:
Do not force-feed the bird. A weak or injured bird may aspirate food or fluids into its airway. Feeding methods and nutritional requirements vary between species.
Do not pour water into its beak. This can cause aspiration and potentially serious complications.
Do not give bread, milk or unsuitable foods. These are not appropriate emergency treatments and may cause additional problems.
Do not administer medication. Human medicines, leftover veterinary medicines and unprescribed treatments can be harmful.
Do not attempt to straighten broken wings or legs. Manipulating an injury can cause further damage and pain.
Do not attempt to clean serious wounds or remove embedded objects without guidance. Appropriate treatment depends on the injury and the bird's condition.
Do not repeatedly release a bird to see whether it can fly. This can cause further injury, stress and exhaustion.
If the bird appears seriously unwell, prioritise obtaining appropriate assistance rather than attempting home treatment.
6. Birds Attacked by Cats or Dogs
Birds that have been caught by cats or bitten by dogs should receive prompt professional advice, even when no obvious wound is visible.
Small puncture wounds can be difficult to identify beneath feathers, and injuries may be more serious than they initially appear. Cat-associated wounds also carry a risk of serious infection.
If you find a bird following an attack:
Contact a wildlife rescue or veterinary practice promptly.
Explain that an attack has occurred, even if the bird looks relatively well.
Avoid unnecessary handling.
Follow advice on safe containment and transport.
Do not assume that a bird is unharmed simply because it can still stand or move.
7. Special Considerations for Different Birds
Garden birds and pigeons
Small birds and pigeons may suffer injuries from collisions, cat attacks, entanglement or illness. Look for abnormal posture, difficulty flying, wounds, weakness or problems eating.
Pigeons and doves with unusual growths or material inside the mouth, difficulty swallowing or an inability to eat should be assessed promptly.
Waterbirds
Ducks, geese, swans and other waterbirds can sustain injuries from fishing line, hooks, discarded netting and road traffic.
Do not attempt to catch or restrain a large waterbird without appropriate assistance. Injured swans and geese can cause significant injuries when frightened.
Owls and birds of prey
Birds of prey have powerful feet and sharp talons, and their beaks can also cause injuries.
Do not attempt to pick up an owl, hawk, falcon or other raptor without appropriate advice and handling arrangements.
A grounded raptor, a bird with a drooping wing, or one that appears weak, wet or unable to move normally should be assessed by an appropriate wildlife professional.
Young birds
A fully feathered fledgling on the ground may be a normal part of its development. A poorly feathered nestling, however, may need assistance if it has fallen from its nest.
For further guidance, visit our Nestlings, Fledglings & Baby Birds page.
8. When Is It an Emergency?
Seek urgent assistance if a bird:
Is struggling to breathe.
Has uncontrolled bleeding or a severe open wound.
Is unable to stand or remain upright.
Has seizures or severe loss of coordination.
Has been caught by a cat or bitten by a dog.
Has sustained an obvious fracture or major injury.
Is trapped in a dangerous location or exposed to an immediate threat.
If you cannot reach our team and the bird requires urgent attention, contact an appropriate veterinary practice or another wildlife rescue for advice.
Do not delay seeking help while attempting to treat the bird yourself.
9. What Happens When a Bird Is Admitted to Our Rescue?
If CapesWildlifeRescue accepts the bird, it will be brought into our care for assessment and appropriate support.
Our team considers the bird's species, condition, injuries and individual requirements when deciding on the next steps.
Our on-site veterinary team includes a veterinary surgeon and a Registered Veterinary Nurse, who provide veterinary and nursing expertise to support patient care as appropriate.
Depending on the bird's needs, care may involve clinical assessment, appropriate accommodation, supportive care, medication, diagnostic investigations, rehabilitation and ongoing monitoring.
Where possible and appropriate, the aim is to rehabilitate the bird so it can return to the wild. Sadly, not every bird will recover sufficiently for release, and welfare must guide decisions about its future.
For more information, visit our What Happens After Admission? page.
Helping Wildlife Responsibly
Finding a bird in need can be distressing, but taking the right steps can make a real difference.
Observe safely, avoid unnecessary handling, do not attempt to feed or medicate the bird without appropriate advice, and seek professional assistance when warning signs are present.
At CapesWildlifeRescue, we are committed to providing responsible, welfare-led care for the birds we admit.
Concerned about a sick or injured bird? Contact CapesWildlifeRescue for advice before bringing it to our site. All admissions must be authorised in advance.
