A baby bird needs help if: 

• They are cold, collapsed, wet, or unresponsive
• They have areas of visible skin
• There are signs of injury, blood, wing/leg out of place, falling over
• They been in contact with an animal
• They have insects or other objects (string, sap) on their body
• An event was witnessed (eg a window collision)

A baby bird does NOT need help if all of the following are true:

• They are fully feathered, eyes open and are alert
• Can stand on both feet, walk, and grip onto a perch
• They are, or can be placed in a safe location such as low bush for the parents to continue to care 

If you are ever unsure, please call us! A photo of the bird can be very helpful if you can take one before calling. 

Most species of birds leave the nest BEFORE they can fly well. These birds are called fledglings. They are fully feathered and able to perch, walk, and take short flights. They will have short stubby tails (there is no room for long tails in a nest!) and gradually increase their flight strength each day outside of the nest. 

Parents will continue to care during this important phase of their young lives. Parents will continue to bring them food, and teach them how to forage and avoid predators. During the first few days fledglings are naive, can often be approached, and can find themselves in dangerous situations. 

If you have spotted a healthy fledgling in a dangerous situation (middle of the road, in a window well) you can relocate the bird to a nearby low bush. Parents WILL NOT abandon their young if they have been touched by a human. We do recommend covering the bird with a small towel to ensure safe transportation to the new location. 

Try and observe or listen from a distance for parental care. Parents should be providing a feeding at least every 2 hours. Feedings are very fast to observe but parents and young will call back and forth to find each other.

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If you have rescued a baby bird:

• Use a rolled-up towel to create a nest shape and line with facial tissue/paper towel
• Place the nest inside a box with air holes and the young bird inside the nest. Close the box.  
• If the bird does not have feathers, a heat source (eg. hot water bottle) can be used to warm the air around the bird. A heat source should NEVER be placed in direct contact with the bird. Lightbulbs as a heat source are not recommended as the light will encourage the bird to stay awake and can cause dehydration/burns to their delicate skin. 
• DO NOT give ANY food or water, even if the bird is begging. Baby birds do not drink water and an improper diet can negatively affect their delicate digestive system. 
• Baby birds require a lot of sleep. Keep the box closed, away from pets, and in a quiet location. The more uninterrupted rest, the more energy the young bird will have to recover from injury/illness.
• If you are unable to transport the bird to a rehabilitation facility in 24 hours, please contact us for temporary care instructions.

As they are often found low to the ground, flightless and alone, fledglings are often unnecessarily removed from their environment by well-meaning individuals.

If a young bird is fully feathered, alert, able to walk or hop, and can perch on low branches, PLEASE LEAVE IT ALONE.

It is normal for parents to leave their young alone for periods of time as they search for food and care for other fledglings.

Fledglings often leave the nest at different times than their siblings and remain separate from them while grounded. This allows the family to avoid predators as a whole.

If you are unsure if a fledgling is being cared for by its parents, watch from a distance for at least two hours and see if an adult bird comes down to it. If you are too close the parents will not return. Watch from inside a house or car if able.

If a fledgling has had no parent come down to it for more than two hours or if you are confident that it has been truly orphaned, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator (us, if in the Ottawa Valley Region)  for further instructions.

Please keep cats and dogs indoors if fledglings are present.

The fledgling stage is certainly one of the most dangerous times in a bird’s life but is completely natural and necessary. Cats in the neighborhood is not a sufficient reason to interfere and take fledglings away from their parents. The best chance any wild bird has for ultimate survival is to be raised by its parents.

• If found out of the nest
• If bleeding or bruised
• If cold to the touch
• If covered in parasites or other insects
• If in contact with a cat or dog
• If trapped or entangled
• If otherwise obviously injured or in distress
• If a nestling is found injured or in obvious distress, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for further instructions.
• If a nestling is found out of the nest but warm to the touch and uninjured it can be placed back in the nest. Birds WILL NOT abandon their eggs or young if touched by humans.

• In some circumstances, it may be ideal to place the bird back into a nest, repair a damaged nest, or even provide a new nest for parents to continue care. 
• The original nest location must be known and the young bird must be warm, uninjured, and alert to consider this option. 
• As each situation is different and there are many factors to consider (species of bird, cause of nest disturbance, weather etc) we encourage you to contact the centre to discuss re-nesting steps in more detail. If you can take photos of the bird and nest situation that would be very helpful. 

• Babies need to be kept warm while re-nesting preparations are made or while they are waiting for transport to a licensed rehabilitator. For nestlings, make a temporary nest out of a rolled-up towel or line a margarine tub with paper towel or tissue. For fledglings, line an appropriate-sized box with a towel.
• Use an external heat source (e.g., heating pad on low, warm water bottle) to warm the air and area around the babies. Never place a bird directly on top of or directly under a heat source, including light bulbs. This can cause dehydration, burns and other trauma. Babies should feel warm to the touch but never hot. If the babies are breathing open-mouthed or lying with their necks stretched outside the makeshift nest, they are too hot. Ensure that active fledglings can move away from the heat source if they are uncomfortable.
• Keep all nestlings and fledglings away from drafts, pets, children, loud noises and other stresses and dangers at all times.
• Do not give fluids (i.e., do not give water with an eye dropper!). Baby birds do not drink water and the entrance to a bird’s airway is located in the mouth at the base of the tongue, making it very easy for fluids to enter the lungs. This can lead to pneumonia and death.
• Do not give any food. Improper diet and feeding techniques can have negative consequences. For example, milk and bread can cause diarrhea and lead to severe dehydration and malnourishment. Introducing food to a bird in poor condition with a low body temperature can shock its digestive system, leading to severe consequences, including death. If you cannot transport the bird(s) to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately, contact them by phone for further instructions.
• Do not excessively handle. Handling can lead to injuries, stress, shock and death. No matter how friendly a nestling or fledgling appears, it is NEVER in a wild animal’s best interest to be handled by humans. Please limit all contact to that which is strictly necessary.
• Baby birds require a full sleep cycle or they can succumb from exhaustion. If you are unable to bring them to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator until the morning, let them sleep throughout the night without interruption.

If you have witnessed a potential cause of injury such as a window or vehicle collision, or an animal attack, assume the bird needs help even if you do not see injury. Many injuries take time to become apparent and the few moments when the bird is in shock after an event are often the best chance to capture the bird before they escape to a hidden location. 

An adult needs help if: 

• They are wet, slow to respond, fluffed up, or eyes closed.
• They are collapsed, unable to stand, tripping or falling over
• They have a wing, leg, or many feathers out of place
• There is blood, insects, or have any other substance on its feathers or body
• They have been in contact with another animal 

IMPORTANT: Avian Influenza Notice

Avian influenza is currently a risk for Ontario birds. The Centre continues to operate under increased biohazard safety protocols including screening at-risk birds before they enter the building. We are currently unable to accept adult or young Mallard Ducks, Swans, Cormorants and Geese/goslings. We can accept young Wood Ducks and Mergansers. If you are unsure of the species that you have rescued please take a photo and contact us. 

If you have found an injured adult duck or goose, please call the Centre for further advice. 

If you have found a raptor (hawk, eagle), water bird (gull, heron, loon), or corvid (crow, raven) that has poor balance, head tremors, or discharge from the mouth/eyes, please call the Centre for further advice.

• Take immediate action to rescue the bird
• Approach the bird with a towel/sweater/blanket to cover its body completely
• Pick up the bird wrapped in the towel and place them in a box with air holes
• Remove the towel from the bird and place at the bottom of the box for the bird to stand on
• Allow the bird to rest in a dark quiet location
• Do not provide any food or water.
• Do not release the bird
• Even if the bird appears fine, internal injuries can take hours to days to appear and cause survival difficulties for the bird
• Call the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre to arrange a drop-off as soon as possible
• Opening hours are 8am - 5pm every day of the year

• Any bird that has been in contact with a cat, dog or other animal should be brought to a licensed rehabilitator for care, even if there are no visible injuries.
• Bacteria in animal saliva leads to infections
• Safely contain the bird and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator to arrange for care as soon as possible.

• If you have experienced or witnessed a vehicle impact, AND IT IS SAFE FOR YOU TO DO SO, check that the bird is not alive before driving away. Often birds that have experienced impact injuries succumb from secondary issues: predators, infections, starvation, etc.
• Safely contain the bird and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator to arrange for care as soon as possible.

• Never put yourself or others in danger when attempting to rescue a wild bird.
• If a bird is trapped or entangled in a dangerous area (e.g., telephone wires, electrical box) find out who is responsible for the property and contact them regarding rescue. Never put yourself in danger.
• When approaching, use slow but determined movements. Place yourself between the bird and any potential hazards (like traffic) or escape routes (like water). It may often help to have more than one person when dealing with large or active birds.
• Use a towel or other appropriately sized cloth to cover the bird completely. A bird is much calmer when its head is covered.
• Be aware of danger points: talons, beaks and wings. If you are unsure of what type of bird you are dealing with, assume that all three danger points need to be avoided.
• Wear thick leather gloves and protective eyewear when dealing with birds of prey or other aggressive birds such as herons and loons.
• Place the covered bird in a secure, ventilated, towel-lined box or pet carrier. An appropriate-sized shallow water dish can be offered  IF SAFE FOR YOU TO DO SO. Never force water or fluids into a bird’s mouth. Allow it to drink on its own only. Make sure water dishes are not large enough for the bird to drown in or soak itself. A rolled towel wrapped around the dish can help it from tipping. Remove the water dish during transport.
• Do not offer the bird food. Often introducing food to an injured or ill bird can cause more harm than good and can even lead to death.
• Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator to arrange for care as soon as possible.
• Always practice common sense precautions and hygiene when dealing with any wild bird.

• After hatching is completed, Mallard duck females lead their ducklings away from the nest site to a pre-chosen location. This “brooding ground” is usually near water.
• As Mallards are more and more becoming urban birds, this journey can often take them across yards, roads and other manmade obstacles.
• PLEASE NEVER PUT YOURSELF OR ANYONE ELSE IN DANGER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RESCUE ANY WILD BIRD.

• If it is safe to do so, duck families can be calmly and quietly accompanied on their way to safety.
• Slow but determined movements are required. Avoid crowds, loud noises and other stressful situations. Too often, well-meaning people cause the adult duck to flee in panic and the ducklings to scatter. If this occurs near traffic it can create a dangerous situation not only for the birds, but also for you, drivers and other pedestrians. A duck family trying to cross a busy road may have to be left alone to wait for a safe opportunity on its own.
• If the adult duck flees, herd the ducklings to a safe spot, if it is safe to do so, then retreat a fair distance and allow her to return. She should be able to hear them peeping.
• If you feel that ducks or any other wild bird or animal is creating a traffic situation that is dangerous to drivers and pedestrians, contact your municipality or local police - DO NOT call 911. Please do not put yourself in danger by attempting to direct traffic yourself.

• If ducklings fall into sewer grates or catch basins, contact your city or municipality to come and remove them. Do not attempt to remove them yourself.
• If ducklings are unable to make it off, out of or over an obstacle (e.g., roof, wall, window well), they can be placed in a large open-topped box. Be careful that they are not able to get out as they can jump rather high. Place the box on the ground near the obstacle and let the adult duck return if she has fled. The ducklings can be carried a fair distance within the box to the nearest safe spot and the adult should follow. If she flees at any time, put the box down, step back and allow her time to return.

• Please do not take it upon yourselves to transport duck families over great distances to spots that you think are best to raise a family. The female duck knew where she was going and may just pick up and try to continue her journey from wherever you have brought her. It is best to let ducks proceed with their journey the moment it is safe to do so.

If ducklings are found in a pool, create a ramp that they can use to walk out. A towel thrown over a sturdy floating device in the water and then secured to the deck works well. Herd them towards the ramp. Leave a gate open in the yard to allow the adult and ducklings to leave.

What do I do if I find ducklings or goslings without a parent?

If the adult does not return after fleeing or any duckling or gosling is found without a parent, prepare to bring them to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for care. Geese will take care of Goslings that are not their own babies. Orphaned but healthy goslings can be introduced to a family of Geese with babies of similar age. Monitor from a distance to see if the Gosling was accepted by the family.

Do not overly handle ducklings or goslings. This can lead to injury, stress and even death.

It is important to get ducklings and goslings (especially lone ones) to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator within hours of finding them. They can become easily imprinted on humans and other animals. An imprinted bird has little chance of survival. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator if you are unable to transport them immediately.

While waiting for transport, place ducklings or goslings in a towel-lined, appropriately sized box or animal carrier. Provide a heat source that they can easily move away from if uncomfortable (e.g., warm water bottle wrapped in a towel). A small, shallow dish of water can be provided but do not allow ducklings or goslings to become soaked, as they are not waterproofed and can become chilled very easily.

Under no circumstances place ducklings or goslings in deep water (i.e., do not let them swim in the bathtub or transport them in a container of water). They easily become waterlogged and drown.