The Season of Bird Rescues

Most of the time these fledgling birds are being monitored by their parents which are often nearby. Sometimes a baby bird may be in danger or injured and need help, but it is important to know when to intervene and when to leave a baby bird alone. Read more here to learn about baby birds and when they need your help.

What should you do if you find a baby bird? It is firstly, important to identify the bird you have found. It is then important to know if the baby bird is a nestling or a fledgling. To find out more on how to tell click here. If the bird only has fluff and no feathers, it means that it is a nestling and needs help immediately. If the bird does have its feathers, it is a fledgling and might not always need help.

A barn owl was trapped for two nights in a Riverview factory. Despite what the workers did, the owl just could not figure out how to get out. Our RSPCA Rescue Officer Jared was on hand with a netgun, but it ended up being one of the workers that caught the owl with the net! Well done! With a quick trip to the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital for a vet check, the owl was in good health and released.

In another separate barn owl rescue, named Hedwig, he found himself stuck in a warehouse at Crestmead. After being rescued, Hedwig was also assessed at our Wildlife Hospital. Sadly, he kept bumping into things when trying to fly. Luckily Hedwig pulled through, gained weight, and began to fly well so was sent on his way, back to Hogwarts (aka the wild).

Recently, a tawny was found in Yeerongpilly lying on the floor and not moving. When Rescue Officer Sam picked up the tawny, a baby tawny was revealed underneath her! The baby tawny had fallen out of the tree as the nest was unstable and her Mumma was trying to protect her. Sam got to work on a makeshift nest that was more stable in the tree.

Tawny mum was observing from a branch in the tree and the baby tawny was safely placed into the new nest. Sam visited six days later to see how the family were doing and the baby was still happy in the nest. With mum and dad perched on the same tree keeping guard. If you are unsure on what to do if you find a baby bird stuck, read our baby bird guide here

In another baby bird rescue, a white bellied sea eagle had fallen out of the nest at Wyaralong dam. It hit the water, swam its way onto a tree branch, and Rescue Officer Jared and a member of the public with a boat set out to rescue the eagle. The parents were not around, and the young eagle was brought into the Wildlife Hospital. This poor bird had water in his lungs and stayed in veterinary care until he was well enough to travel to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary for rehabilitation and eventual release.

If you find a bird in danger and are unsure on what to do contact 1300 ANIMAL.