A wild bird is prey. Being handled by a human feels like being caught by a predator, and the stress alone can kill it even with no visible injury.
Two causes come up constantly: window collisions and cat attacks. In the second case the emergency is real even if the bird looks intact: cat saliva carries bacteria that kill a bird within forty-eight hours without treatment.
What to do
- Prepare a cardboard box with air holes, lined with a cloth that has no loops or loose threads.
- Approach calmly, drape a towel over the bird to block its view, and pick it up gently with the wings held against the body.
- Put the box in a dark, quiet, room-temperature space, away from pets and children.
- Let it rest without opening the box every five minutes.
- If the bird hit a window and is only stunned, it may fly off on its own after one or two quiet hours.
What to avoid
- Giving it water or food: a weakened bird inhales liquid into its lungs and drowns.
- Putting it in a barred cage: it will damage its feathers and wings.
- Keeping it for days to tame it: this is illegal and reduces its chances of returning to the wild.
- Handling a bird of prey bare-handed: the talons, not the beak, are the weapon.
- Releasing it right after a cat attack, even if it seems fine.
A fledgling on the ground is not always in trouble
In June, many fledglings leave the nest before they can fly. They spend several days on the ground, hopping through grass, while their parents keep feeding them. A feathered, alert fledgling that moves around should be left alone: keep cats away and move it into a nearby bush if it is on a sidewalk.
A naked or downy nestling that fell from a visible nest can be put back. Contrary to popular belief, birds do not abandon their young because of human scent.
What should I do with a bird caught by a cat that looks unhurt?
It needs care immediately. Cat saliva carries bacteria that cause a fatal infection within forty-eight hours, even with no visible wound. Put the bird in a cardboard box somewhere quiet and contact a rescue service or a wildlife rehabilitation centre.
