Emergency Care for Birds
The Copper Country Bird Club is not a wildlife rehabilitation organization and does not actively participate in bird rescues. We are happy to answer questions and provide guidance, but if you need immediate assistance, please contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator from the list below.
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If you’ve found a bird that you think needs immediate help and don’t know what to do, call:
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IMPORTANT:
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DO NOT try to force food, milk (they cannot tolerate it) or water into a bird’s beak, thinking that it will revive or strengthen them. You may cause more harm and possibly drown the bird because there is a direct route to the lungs at the back of its tongue.​
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DO NOT take selfies with the animal. The added handling can multiply the amount of stress affecting the animal.
When to Call a Wildlife Rehabilitator
Call a licensed rehabilitator if you find:
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An injured, bleeding, or weak bird
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A bird lying on its side or not responding
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Any bird caught by a cat or dog
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A nestling when no nest can be found or replaced
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A bird stunned by a window strike that doesn’t fly off
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A fledgling with no parents seen after one hour of observation
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Any situation you’re unsure about
Do not feed the bird or attempt care yourself. Professional care is critical.
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Your best option (in any of the cases above) is to contact a rehabilitator, who can then guide you through the response that is most appropriate.
What to do when you find an injured bird.
If you come across a young bird that is mostly naked or has only sparse downy feathers, it is a nestling and is too young to be out of the nest. (If the bird is fully feathered and hopping on the ground, scroll down to the Fledglings section—this is often normal behavior.)
If the young bird you’ve found is mostly or fully feathered, it is likely a fledgling. Fledglings have left the nest on purpose, even though they can’t yet fly well—or at all. However, the needs of fledglings often depends on the species in question.
Not every grounded or distressed bird needs help, but some situations do require quick action. Here’s how to tell the difference.
Nestling Rescue
Step 1: Try to Return the Bird to Its Nest
If you can safely reach the nest, gently place the baby back inside. Birds do not abandon their young because a human has touched them—this is a common myth.
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If the entire nest has fallen but is still intact, put it back as close as possible to its original location (within a couple of feet is fine). If needed, lightly secure it using string or rope, making sure no loose ends are left hanging where birds could become tangled.
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Once the nest is back in place, move at least 30 feet away and watch quietly for at least one hour. Parent birds often return briefly, feed the chick, and leave again - it can be easy to miss if you’re not watching closely. If no adults return after an hour, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
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Step 2: If the Nest Is Destroyed
If the original nest can’t be salvaged, you can create a temporary replacement. A small plastic berry container or similar item with drainage holes works well. Line it with material from the original nest if available, or plain facial tissue if not. Avoid cloth, cotton, shredded paper, or grass, as these can injure young birds.
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Position the baby in a slightly upright posture so its head and body are supported - nestlings are not strong enough to lie flat. Secure the container in a sheltered tree or dense shrub near where the nest was found, again ensuring no loose string remains.
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Watch from a distance for at least an hour to confirm the parents return. If they do not, reach out to a wildlife rehabilitator.
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Step 3: If No Nest Can Be Found
If you cannot locate a nest or safely create a replacement, the bird should be taken to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible. Do not attempt to raise the bird yourself. Baby birds require frequent feeding, specialized diets, and careful handling - improper care can quickly be fatal.
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While arranging transport, keep the bird warm. Young birds chill easily, especially in the Keweenaw’s cooler spring and early summer temperatures. A warm water bottle or heating pad set on low, wrapped in facial tissue, can provide gentle heat. The bird should feel slightly warmer than your hand, but never hot.
Fledgling Rescue
What Is a Fledgling?
The fledgling stage is a normal and important part of a bird’s development. At this point, young birds are learning to hop, flutter, and eventually fly. During this time, their parents are still actively caring for them, returning every 30–60 minutes to deliver food. Most fledglings become capable flyers within a few days and some are fully mobile. The proper response for fledglings is often to take a picture of the bird and discuss the options with a licensed rehabilitator, based on the species identification.
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When to Leave the Bird Alone
A healthy fledgling may look awkward or vulnerable, but that doesn’t mean it needs help. Signs of a normal, well-cared-for fledgling include:
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Bright, open eyes
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Hopping or moving around
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Loud calling or begging sounds
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If a fledgling begs when it sees you, that’s normal. Young birds instinctively beg when they notice movement - it does not mean they’ve been abandoned. In almost all cases, the parents are nearby and keeping watch. The best thing you can do is give the bird space.
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When to Be Concerned
A fledgling may need assistance if it appears weak or unresponsive. If the bird is lying on its side, unable to stand, or unusually still, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
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If you’re unsure, observe from a distance of at least 30 feet for about an hour. Parent birds typically arrive quickly, feed the fledgling for a few seconds, and then leave again to find more food. If no adult birds appear during that time, reach out to a rehabilitator for guidance.
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How You Can Help Fledglings in the Keweenaw
Some fledglings are especially vulnerable during this stage in their life - not because they are abandoned, but because they are learning in an exposed environment. One of the most helpful things you can do is keep pets indoors, especially cats. If there is any doubt about the animal's safety, take a picture or video of the bird and discuss options for care with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator based on the species identification.
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Free-roaming cats pose a serious risk to young birds. If you see a cat approaching a fledgling, gently scaring it away - such as with a spray bottle of water - can help protect the bird without harming the cat.
Adult Bird Rescue
Birds That Can’t Fly
If you find a bird that isn’t flying, it may simply be a fledgling - young birds often look like smaller, scruffier versions of adults, with mottled or uneven coloring. Refer to the fledgling section above for guidance. If you’re uncertain about the bird’s age or condition, it’s best to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for advice.
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Window Strikes
Birds frequently collide with windows, especially during migration. If you find a bird stunned or lying near a window, it may just need time to recover. If the area isn’t safe, gently move the bird to a sheltered spot, such as beneath a shrub, and leave it undisturbed.
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Watch from a distance for up to three hours. Many birds recover and fly off on their own. If the bird has not regained flight after that time, contact a licensed rehabilitator.
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Birds Caught by Pets
Any bird that has been caught by a cat or dog should be taken to a wildlife rehabilitator immediately - even if it appears uninjured. Bacteria in pet saliva can cause serious, often fatal infections in birds if not treated promptly.
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Birds Trapped Indoors
If a bird gets inside a house or building, calmly help it find its way out. Turn off interior lights, televisions, computers, and also cover or block windows so they don’t reflect light. Open a single door or window to the outside and make that the only light source. In most cases, the bird will fly toward the light and escape on its own.
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Injured Birds
If you see a bird with visible injuries, bleeding, a drooping wing, or difficulty standing, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible. Do not attempt to treat the bird yourself.
Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators
For a complete list of all the licensed Michigan wildlife rehabilitators visit michigandnr.com/dlr/ or see our list of local and trusted bird rehabilitators below.
