Abstract:  Wildlife Rehabilitation is the care and treatment of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife with the goal of releasing the animal back into the wild. Veterinarians are the most competent group of professionals capable of providing care to injured wildlife. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requires that anyone caring for any wild animal be licensed. Veterinarians should be aware of wildlife regulations before electing to care for these animals. Additionally, veterinarians interested in helping wildlife should be familiar with basic stabilization techniques, food requirements and interim care procedures. 

Introduction

Avian veterinarians are often times called upon to provide care to local injured and orphaned wild birds. Many veterinarians refuse to treat wildlife, which overburdens the veterinarians that donate their time and resources. Because the majority of wild birds become injured either directly (hit by cars, poisoned or shot) or indirectly (power line accidents) by human interference, the author believes that as a society, we are ultimately responsible for replacing the salvageable birds back into our environment. If more veterinarians would take part in the rehabilitation process than more birds would be given a second chance. Veterinarians interested in wildlife rehabilitation must be aware of regulations surrounding the care of injured or orphaned wild birds and be able to adequately care, feed and house these birds temporarily.

The Laws

Veterinarians are not exempt from the laws that regulate wildlife rehabilitation. There are two types of rehabilitation licenses: state and federal. A state license encompasses all wildlife excluding migratory, threatened/endangered species and raptors. A federal license allows rehabilitators to care for migratory species and raptors. To acquire a federal license, a state license must first be obtained through the Department of Natural Resources. If veterinarians do not wish to become licensed themselves, they may ask a local federally licensed wildlife rehabilitator to list them as a subpermitee on their license. Although some veterinarians have the time and appropriate facilities to do the active rehabilitation, physical therapy and release, most do their part by providing the basic medical services desperately needed by local licensed rehabilitators. The rehabilitators then have the responsibility of day to day feeding, cleaning, physical therapy and release.

Licensed individuals are allowed to keep animals for up to 90 days. At that time, the animal must be released or euthanized. In certain circumstances, the allotted recovery period may be extended by contacting the regional Fish and Wildlife Service. It is illegal to permanently maintain injured wildlife in captivity without an additional license (called a Special Purpose Permit). Veterinarians who provide care to permanently injured wildlife should have a copy of the permit in the patient’s file. Veterinarians who work with local licensed rehabilitators should also have a copy of their permit on file. People who have an interest in wildlife rehabilitation but are not licensed should not be given injured and orphaned animals to care for. Additionally, if a threatened or endangered species is presented, the veterinarian should contact the regional Fish and Wildlife Service immediately for further instructions.

What to do when presented with a wild bird

Your safety comes first:

If you do not feel comfortable handling certain species of wild birds, ask an experienced local rehabilitator to show you how to safely catch and restrain shorebirds, passerines or raptors. All birds have unique defense mechanisms that are considerably different from domestic avian patients. As veterinarians begin to learn the natural history and behavior patterns of patients in their care they will become more comfortable with restraint and handling. It is important to provide safe, temporary housing for wild birds. Birds are best kept in solid walled cages (or boxes) so their wings cannot get caught. Stainless steel cages are acceptable, but a towel should be placed over the front of the cage to reduce stress on the bird. It is common for people to bring injured bats to local avian veterinarians. Unlike birds, bats may harbor rabies in your area and many practitioners elect not to treat these animals.

Identify the injury and stabilize the animal:

Healthy nestlings and fledglings are often mistaken as injured or orphaned. Wild nestlings appear haunched or more horizontal, and typically do not stand up. These birds tend to be downy rather than feathered. High winds can blow nests out of trees and the clutch may be disoriented, but unharmed. If the nestling is physically healthy, it is best to try and reunite the bird with its’ natural parents. If there is a known intact nest, replace the nestling back into the nest. If the nest is destroyed or dismantled, collect the remaining nest material and create a makeshift nest that has adequate drainage (a berry or butter container with holes punched in the bottom). Nail the container to the tree, or closest tree to the original nest. Within 24 hours of replacing the nestling the pair typically resumes parental care, even if the reunion takes place days later.

A fledgling has left the nest but is unable to fly. These birds hop on the ground, are usually feathered and stand more erect and, at a glance may appear “abandoned.” On average, most birds spend between two and four weeks acquiring basic flight skills. Fledglings leave the nest before this skill is mastered. There is still parental care and supervision during this time, but the young bird does not return to the nest. Fledglings are located, sometimes blocks away from the nest, by vocalization. If fledglings present uninjured, encourage people to put them back where they were found. Fledglings can be difficult to rehabilitate because they have bonded with their natural parents but do not have the foraging skills necessary to survive on their own.

Injured wild animals are more prone to stress and shock than their domestic counterparts. As with any domestic animal, do not attempt to conduct an extensive physical exam or diagnostics on birds exhibiting signs of extreme stress. Put the bird in a warm, quiet and dark space if the bird appears overstressed. Quietly check the animal every 2 hours for signs of recovery (sitting or standing upright, eyes open, defensive postures when approached). Once stabilized, perform a quick physical exam. Radiograph possible fractures, splint, debride and suture as necessary. Work quickly and quietly. Get everything ready before restraining and medicating the bird. Manage all surgical and medical problems as you would domestic avian patients.

Identify the species and provide appropriate food:

It is important to correctly identify the species as well as provide proper nutrition. Consider referencing American Wildlife and Plants, A Guide to Wildlife Food Habits, by Martin, Zim and Nelson (Dover Press) if dietary requirements for a species are unfamiliar. This valuable resource lists natural habitats and food sources for native wildlife. Injured birds may only have minor injuries and be very capable of eating on their own. However, birds may be too young or weak and need assistance via a gavage tube. If the animal is dehydrated, correct the fluid loss before offering any food. If the bird is emaciated, the first several meals should be in liquid form. Hypothermia should be corrected before attempting to feed any bird.

Young insectivorous birds can be fed soaked kibbled dog food, temporarily, until the bird is transferred. Birds that should be fed an insectivorous diet (long, pointed beaks) include thrushes (robins and bluebirds), wrens, tanagers, swifts, swallows, nighthawks, flycatchers warblers, kinglets, gnatcatchers, woodpeckers, phoebes, pewees, crows, kingbirds and martins. Young herbivorous (seed eating) birds can be fed psittacine hand feeding formula. Birds that should be fed a seed diet include titmice, nuthatches, chickadees, finches, sparrows, doves, cardinals, grosbeaks, juncos, larks, grackles and other blackbirds. Shorebirds (herons, cranes, bitterns and gulls) can be fed goldfish, minnows or other fish. Raptors can be fed quail or chicken, temporarily. Precocial birds include ducks, geese, pheasants, grouse, quail, killdeer, woodcock. Provide these birds with cracked corn, duck starter or chicken scratch until transferred. Unless very thin, adult birds are fine without food for a few hours until the rehabilitator picks them up.

Other points to consider: