Broken wings can traumatize birds, especially wild birds that rely heavily on their ability to fly to survive. If you find a bird with a wing injury, whether it's a wild bird or a pet, you should be able to quickly observe the situation. Try to estimate whether the bird will recover. If you think the bird will recover, gently wrap it in a clean towel and put it in the shoebox. Make sure the bird is kept warm and out of reach of other animals or children in the house. After that, contact your vet and/or local animal rescue organization to find out where you should take your bird next.
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Part 1 of 3: Taking Appropriate Security Measures
Step 1. Put on gloves before handling the bird
Birds may carry many dangerous diseases. So you have to protect yourself before trying to help him. Never handle wild birds with bare hands. Wear protective gloves and wash your hands as soon as you handle the bird. It's also a good idea to wear gloves even if you're only handling an injured pet bird. A weak and in pain bird may struggle and attack you.
- It's a good idea to use canvas gloves or thick cloth, such as those usually used for gardening. These gloves are the most effective at protecting your hands from scratches and bird bites, as well as from dangerous diseases that may be carried by them.
- If you don't have gloves at home, try using a towel to lift the bird.
- If the injured bird is a large bird of prey, you should not handle it yourself. Instead, contact your local animal health service or animal rescue organization.
Step 2. Avoid placing the bird too close to the face
Even small birds have sharp beaks and nails. So whenever you handle an injured bird, make sure to keep it away from your face for your own safety. Even pet birds may attack you if they are in pain or fear.
Birds with broken wings are likely to feel weaker and may attack you with their beaks and claws
Step 3. Do not give food or drink to birds
Injured birds may be too afraid to eat and drink. While you must act quickly to help it, it's best not to give your bird any food or drink while you're taking care of it temporarily.
Injured birds easily choke when swallowing water if forced. So don't do it
Part 2 of 3: Protecting Injured Birds
Step 1. Wrap the body in a towel
Injured birds, whether wild or domesticated, will feel better if they are wrapped in a protective cloth such as a towel. This will help soothe the bird while preventing it from moving around too much and making the injury worse.
Try to protect the injured wing when wrapping the bird in a towel. Place the injured wing following the body (don't bend it into an odd shape) then gently wrap the towel
Step 2. Place the bird in the shoebox
Place a towel at the bottom of the shoebox to make the bird feel more comfortable. After that, place the bird on it. Be sure to use a shoe box that can be closed to prevent the bird from escaping and aggravating the injury.
- For larger birds, you may need a larger box. Try using a cat box or larger cardboard.
- Make sure there are ventilation holes in the box you are using so the bird can still breathe in it.
Step 3. Don't move the bird too much
Birds, including pet birds, with broken wings (or other injuries) should not be moved unless absolutely necessary to prevent the injury from getting worse.
Pick up the bird with a towel, wrap it in a towel, then put it in the shoebox. Don't move it again unless absolutely necessary
Step 4. Provide heating
During a weak condition, the bird will most likely need help to warm up. Try placing a warm water bottle in the shoebox to keep the bird warm.
- Make sure there is still room for the bird to get away from the warm water bottle if it gets too hot. Since the bird can't move much during the injury and is wrapped in a towel, it's a good idea to place the water bottle on the side of the box opposite the bird. Watch the bird so you can tell when it's overheated.
- If the bird begins to gasp for air, remove the warm water bottle immediately. You will also need to open the shoebox cover periodically to check and see if the bird is breathing heavily.
Step 5. Place the bird in a warm and safe place while figuring out the next step
While you are deciding what to do next, place the bird in a warm place away from danger. To make him feel more calm, try placing the bird in a quiet, dim area.
Keep birds out of reach of toddlers or other animals that might attack or exacerbate the injury
Part 3 of 3: Seeking Professional Help
Step 1. Observe the injury to the bird
Try to examine the bird and determine the severity of the injury. If the bird appears confused or unconscious, this may indicate that it is in shock and has an injury other than a broken wing. If the bird is still awake and may even try to get away from you, this is a good sign. Look for cuts or blood spots that can help you determine the severity of the bird's injury.
- If you suspect the injury to the bird's wing is too severe, or if the bird has other injuries, the bird may need to be euthanized.
- If a bird needs to be euthanized, seek help from your veterinarian or local animal health service.
Step 2. Contact your local veterinarian or poultry specialist veterinarian
To treat an injury to a pet bird, contact your veterinarian. If you don't know what to do to help an injured wild bird, you can also contact your regular veterinarian for advice. Some veterinarians may provide free assistance (such as administering antibiotics or surgery) on injured animals in the wild.
The vet may not be able to accommodate the bird during its recovery period (unless you're willing to pay for it). However, your veterinarian may be able to provide assistance or other forms of assistance
Step 3. Contact several bird rescue organizations nearby
If you find an injured bird in the wild, it's a good idea to contact a bird rescue organization for help. Search the internet for a bird rescue organization located near you. Organizations like these may be able to provide medical assistance to injured birds, but have nowhere to house them. Ask what help they can provide specifically, whether it is emergency medical assistance, shelter, rehabilitation, or continuous medical assistance including rehabilitation. You may need to contact several bird rescue organizations to find one that can accommodate the bird you find.
You may have to contact several organizations until you find one that is willing to help. Organizations like this usually rely on donations from the community. So, they may lack funds, equipment, and shelter space
Step 4. Take the bird to a non-euthanizing rescue organization
If you think the injury to the bird is not fatal, try asking all rescue organizations for euthanasia policies. Be sure to ask each organization's specific policies when dealing with broken bird wings. Some organizations believe that a bird with a broken wing will not be able to live happily again if it cannot fly, thus deciding on euthanasia. Meanwhile, other organizations think birds can still live happily after recovering from injuries to their wings.
Don't let all your efforts to help the bird go to waste by taking it to an animal rescue organization which then takes euthanasia
Step 5. Slowly bring the bird to another location
Whether it's a vet or an animal rescue organization, make sure to get the bird safely to its next location. Make sure the shoebox is tightly closed and birds cannot escape during the trip. Also, try not to move the shoebox as much as possible.
