Earlier this week, I saw my first ever Indigo Bunting. Unfortunately, I saw it after it struck a window at the building where I work, and I was called in to help it out. I thought other bird-lovers might sometimes face this situation and need to know how to handle it, so here are some simple tips from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s site, All About Birds.
Approach the bird cautiously. If it’s only slightly stunned, it may fly up suddenly and could attack if startled. Examine it very gently and carefully, moving it as little as possible.
- Yes: Contact a rehab facility immediately. Don’t try to care for the bird yourself unless you have experience and know-how.
- No: Pick the bird up gently and place it on a low tree branch or shrub.
- Yes: Leave the bird alone in the tree or bush, but watch for predators like cats that may attack it while it’s vulnerable. After a time, it will fly off on its own.
- No: If you don’t see any obvious injuries but the bird is unable to stand, place it in a dark box in quiet, safe location. Do not give it food or water or handle it any more than is necessary.
- Yes: Great! Your job is done.
- No: Wait another 15 minutes and try again. Repeat for an hour or two. If the bird does not recover by then on its own, contact a wildlife rehab facility for assistance.
Need a local rehab facility? Try this site for a pretty comprehensive listing: WildlifeRehabber.org
Migratory Bird Act: Technically it’s illegal to handle any bird protected by the Migratory Bird Act (which includes most birds) without a permit. It’s usually not a problem to interact with them for a few minutes to provide assistance, but private citizens are not allowed to keep them in captivity.
More questions? Click here to visit The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s site.
jose moreno aparicio says
Exelentes revista ,interesante y muy ejemplar .
Linda Thornton says
This happened a couple of years ago at my home! And it was an indigo bunting! I thought it was dead because the female was right by his side. I left them alone & about 3 hours later when I checked they were both gone.
Judith Dennis says
So glad I found this site and list of WildLife Rehabbers. Good to know I have been wondering what and where to go when this happens to the birds. Do you hold information, education seminars for a day anywhere? You could use our large lobby and 24 acre Bed & Breakfast Inn if you needed a place for spreading the word about the wildlife and birds. Lake Piedmont Inn is the place and it is across from Piedmont Lake on Route 22. All our rooms are full for staying overnight at the present time but we still have a large lobby with working kitchen and area. We are on Facebook. And the number is 740-968-1605.
32000 Cadiz Piedmont Rd. Piedmont, OH 43983.
Peggy watson says
I have seen many Grosbeaks this year….. That is what this bird is right? This is the first time that I have seen them here….. But I have so enjoyed having them…. They are BEAUTIFUL !!!!!
Jill says
Peggy – This is an Indigo Bunting which flew into a window earlier this week in Tampa, Florida. Fortunately, it was just mildly stunned and flew off again a few minutes after this photo was taken. Beautiful bird, isn’t it?
Katherine Gibbons says
thanks for this. I have several on my doors and windows but needed more. I just die when a bird flies into my doors and windows. Most of the time, they do not survive.
Marlene says
Through the spring and summer we have birds flying into our windows. If they are not hurt real bad and just stunned I was always told to hold them in your hands and keep them awake. I lift the stunned bird in both hands up and down to keep them alert. If they are too hurt they will pass away in your hands, which I hate seeing. But it takes awhile of holding them and talking to them, and when they start getting anxious I put them in the palm of my hand and go up and down so they get their balance and wings flapping. They will sit in your hand quite awhile before they take off. Its them being stunned that makes it worse for them, they just pass away. But I have done this many, many times, you just have to keep them alert.
Mary f nance says
If they are just stunned they will fuss a bit when you hold them. Hold them to your heart, seems to calm them. When they become more alert and start fussing, hold them in your outstretched hands. They will let you know when they are ready to fly away. May take some time time, but I talk to them, run my fingers over their heads (good way to check if their eyes are focusing). May sound stupid to some, but I love birds.
Joan says
I always pick them up and give them a head rub. If they are going to perk up, that always helps. I also rub their backs. Did that to a wren the other day. Little bugger didn’t want to fly away. I put him on my finger, perfectly able to fly away. What did he do? Fly right back to me and climb up my shirt and look me in the face. I went to get him he climbed on my shoulder. Tried to get him there and he walked down my back. He finally flew to the fashia of the porch and I came to get a jacket. When I went back it had flown away. All birds appreciate a good head rub.
Crystal wood says
I had a hummingbird hit my window and stun it self . I pick it up and held it I my hands because I have cats I didn’t want them to get to it after awhile it came too and I just let it sit in my open hand until it flew away
Jolyne says
wildliferehabber.org link does not work.
Patsy says
I just found that out, I wonder why—I searched for the site on my own and it came up right away. http://wildliferehabber.org/
T says
They used capital letters…probably made link bad.
Bernice says
Thanks so much for the picture for my window. I use the clings and they don’t always work.
Jenny says
http://wildliferehabber.org
This took me to a default page. I would share the screenshot but I don’t see a way to do that here.
Penney says
This happens at my house often because we have many large windows. Also we have many feeders. I always pick them up (I’ve never been attacked or bitten) I set them in my flower pots right side up and make sure their head is propped up they will always come to life and fly away some times that can take a couple of hours but the flower pot is a safe place for them to rest and recover. If they are not going to make it that always happens within seconds of the window hit.
Melissa says
I also have lots of windows and do the same thing. Just getting them upright helps a lot. I’ve saved a lot of birds in the past 2 years at our new house, including a Sharp Shinned Hawk.
T says
Good advice, but I can’t follow it. I have outdoor cats and any bird that is on the ground for less than five mins, will be eaten. Btw, your wildlife rehab link doesn’t work.
Melissa says
We used to have birds hitting our windows every week. After I lost 3 Pine Siskin and 2 Goldfinch in one day I went searching for a fix. After buying this netting we might get one every 2-3 months. I haven’t lost hardly any since putting this up. If a bird Flys towards the window they usually see the netting as they get closer and either turn away or slow up so the barely touch the window.
33-Ft x 6.5 Ft Garden Plant Netting Protect Against Rodents Birds – Instead of protecting against I use it to protect! I tacked up across the top of our span of 5 windows. The netting is green and thin so it really doesn’t obstruct any views. It’s cheap so well worth a try!
george says
if you handle any wild animal , wash your hands, they carry disease that can infect your pets.
Chuck Hughes says
I work in a seven story building in a very green area right near a lake. All sides of this building are enormous windows.The windows are all like mirrors, so there are dozens of window strikes every month. I don’t know what to do. It would be impossible to put appliques or netting on all the windows, plus there is no money to pay for it. Impossible situation, and heartbreaking with dead warblers, hummingbirds, kingfishers, and vireos lying on the ground.