Bega: Birds

Common Problems

What to do

For birds that fall from the nest, try to get them back to the nest. If it is out of reach, try building an artificial nest and placing in the same tree. (Make sure the nest has drainage holes). If the parents do not return to feed the baby, ring NANA. While waiting, keep the bird in a warm, quiet place.
For broken wings or legs, treat as for shock (see below) but call NANA, or take the bird to a local vet.
If the bird has been attacked by other animals, apply gentle antiseptic such as Betadine, and treat for shock as below.
If the bird has no obvious damage, but cannot fly, or seems disoriented, it may be suffering from head trauma or poisoning. Treat for shock as below.
Treatment for shock is basically keeping the bird comfortable. Handle birds as little as possible, place them into an appropriately sized cardboard box. Line the floor with newspaper. Initially the dark environment helps reduce stress. Keep the bird warm, and away from noise and vibration. Do NOT give food or water for the first few hours. If the bird has not recovered within three hours, call NANA.

Catching injured Birds

Remember that the bird does not know you are trying to help it. Birds can scratch and bite quite hard (especially parrots) even when they are sick.
Try throwing a towel over the bird, and gently lifting into a box or container. The less you handle the bird, the better.
Birds can carry pests such as lice and mites, and diseases like psittacosis. Many of these can affect humans. Wash thoroughly after handling birds.

More Information

You may not keep birds from the wild as pets without permission from the National Parks & Wildlife Service.
It is an offense to trap, harm, kill or trade any bird from the wild.
Many birds are highly territorial, and could be killed or injured if not released back into the area they are found. If you find an injured bird, make a note of where it was found.

For information on Swooping Magpies, click here