What to do with dead or injured birds

BIRD COLLISION REPORTING

How to report a building collision

Human-made infrastructure—homes, buildings, industrial facilities, radio and cell towers—creates some of the biggest threats to birds due to the artificial light at night these structures emit and the reflective glass in many windows.

dBird—an NYC Bird Alliance and Birds Connect Seattle project—offers anyone a way to report the dead or injured birds you find in less than two minutes. The data that this citizen-science project collects helps guide conservation and advocacy efforts—such as Lights Out Louisville—that aim to reduce human-made hazards to birds.

REPORT AN INCIDENT

How to help an injured bird

When a bird survives a building collision, it needs a quiet, dark, safe place to rest and recover. If you find a bird on the ground near a building or home:

Handle the bird as little as possible, and wear disposable gloves when you do.
Roll clean tissues or paper towels into a doughnut shape to allow the bird to sit upright if it can.
Place the tissues or paper towels inside a paper bag or small cardboard box with a few air holes poked into it.
Gently place the bird inside the paper bag or box. Keep the container closed.
Never try to feed the bird or give it water.

Click here to find a wildlife rehab facility near you.

Note: Most rehabbers in KY will not take injured songbirds (passerines). If you find an injured songbird and you’re able to transport it to a rehabber, please call Rose at 812-949-8618. Rose is a songbird rehabber listed on the above website and she can direct you on how to proceed.

Important: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been reported in Kentucky. Do not attempt to contain or handle birds with HPAI symptoms: swimming in circles; lethargic; unable or unwilling to fly; exhibiting head tremors; and/or moving in an uncoordinated fashion.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife asks for reports of wild birds that exhibit HPAI symptoms. Learn how to report suspected avian flu.