After hours care for birds
So, what is it you do?
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Every animal you may find and think is in distress needs careful observation before interpreting its behavior as a problem.
Different animals need different responses. Please follow the guidelines below to determine the next step based on their specific needs and conditions. Your primary responsibility is to avoid danger or trauma to both yourself and the animal. NEVER use force or place yourself in a compromising situation for any reason. Approach the situation calmly and with caution.
To determine whether an animal is truly in need, please refer to our 
CARE FLYERS Page for detailed guidelines and identification tips.
Special Consideration for BABY Animals:
Mother Nature has designed some species to leave their babies alone in a safe place while the parents are out foraging for food. If you encounter such a situation,
it's best to observe from a distance and not disturb the young ones. By interfering, you may do more harm than good.
Please refer to our BABIES IN NEED Page.
You'll find additional guidance and resources to handle the situation appropriately.
There are TWO RULES to follow in EVERY SITUATION:
- DO NOT give food or water to the animal before speaking with a licensed rehabilitation professional. Most animals can go over 12 hours without it. Improper feeding is much more dangerous than hunger.
- DO NOT bring the animal to a veterinarian's office. Veterinarians are not licensed or permitted to keep wildlife. They don't have time to bring them to us and we do not have time or resources to pick them up. Dropping them off may leave no choice but euthanasia.
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Please refer to the wildlife species information below.
REMEMBER: in the Spring and Summer, you are likely to see ducks and geese in parking lots as these birds often seek out safe nesting sites away from predators.
IT IS AGAINST FEDERAL LAW & THE MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY TO INTERFERE WITH THESE BIRDS OR THEIR NESTS.
NOTE: If you found a domestic animal, by state law, you must call your local animal control, not us.
Raptors, Vultures, & Great Blue Herons
*** Raptors are birds of prey and include owls, hawks, eagles, and falcons. They are hunters and therefore their talons and beaks are very dangerous.
*** Great Blue Herons are VERY POWERFUL and therefore very dangerous - do NOT attempt to handle a Great Blue Heron.
- If you attempt to pick up the animal, use a thick towel or blanket and gloves. Once you have picked up the animal, please keep it securely in a box, in a warm, dry and dark place away from pets and children.
- Do NOT put these birds or the box on a heating pad or try to create heat around them. Warm, ambient air is all they need.
- DO NOT give it any food or water.
- Call CLAWS in the morning so that we can determine the best course of action.
If you were not able to pick the animal up, please check on it in the morning to be sure it is still there and give us a call.
Songbirds
DO NOT give it any food or water. It is important to remember, songbirds do not eat after dark, they shut down making eating or drinking unnecessary.
- Please keep it in a box, in a warm, dry and dark place away from pets and children. Keep it as DARK of a place as possible. Being in the dark is the most important part of this, birds will shutdown and remain calm.
- Do NOT put songbirds on a heating pad or try to create heat around them, doing so can be deadly. A comfortably warm house should be plenty warm enough for them.
- Call CLAWS in the morning so that we can determine the best course of action.
Hummingbirds
It is important to remember, hummingbirds do not eat after dark, they shut down making eating or drinking unnecessary.
If it is still light out when you find the bird and the bird is alert and aware, mix 4 parts water to 1 part sugar, offer this to the bird on a teaspoon every 5 minutes. If the bird is simply exhausted, it should be flying within 45 minutes. If the bird is injured, please follow the same instructions as for songbirds. Remember, the dark is the most important part of this.
- Call CLAWS in the morning so that we can determine the best course of action.