 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
First aid for injured birds of prey |
||
| An injured
bird is more likely to die of shock than of its injuries. Swift action
is required as minimising stress must be the first priority when dealing
with these animals. If the bird allows you to approach to pick it
up it is most likely to be in a very poor condition indeed and handling
will only traumatise the bird further. The following is a step by step guide to what to do if you come across an injured bird of prey. 1. Never approach a bird of prey without a pair of stout gloves. Gardening gloves would be ideal. 2. Gently throw a jumper or towel over the injured bird to keep it warm. 3. Lift the bird carefully to minimise further damage ( remember to wear your gloves ) and place in a well ventilated cardboard box with a lid. The box should be lined with newspaper or a towel and of a size that allows the minimum of movement without unduly constricting the bird. 4. Do not give food or water to the bird. 5. Take the bird to the nearest Rescue Centre, Veterinary Surgery or contact the R.S.P.C.A. as soon as possible. Make sure that the precise location of where the bird was found is recorded, this will be important at the time of release. |
||
|
What to do if you find an "orphaned" bird |
||
| Many young
birds disperse from their nest long before they can fly. This prevents
overcrowding at the nest as the chicks grow and is Nature's way of
ensuring against threats to the whole brood from predators. Many of
these birds are considered orphaned when actually they are simply
testing their wings. Young birds often lose their footing during these
early explorations and fall to the ground. A chick on the ground looks
lost and vulnerable but most probably its parents know exactly where
it is and will continue to feed it. Many young birds of prey are quite
capable of climbing back up their tree using claws and beak.
|