Injured Birds and Other Wildlife
Found an orphaned or injured bird or other animal? Thanks for caring enough
to find out what to do!
Baby Birds: If you find what you think is an orphaned baby bird (baby fuzz or feathered with short tail and can’t fly) DON'T PICK IT UP unless it is in immediate danger or looks very young (no feathers). Some fledgling birds spend time on the ground, unable to fly, yet still being cared for by their parent(s), and it would be a shame to take them away from their parents. Station someone a short distance from the bird to watch it and keep children and other animals away while you check the information at
Treasure Coast Wildlife Hospital
or call one of the numbers below.
Injured Birds: If you find an injured bird and can safely pick it up without injury to yourself, place it in a closed cardboard box and put the box in a warm, quiet place. Then call one of the numbers below for advice.
Animal Pets: For domestic animals that need rescue contact Humane Society of the Treasure Coast in Palm City, phone: (772) 223-8822.
Phone Numbers of Wildlife Rescue Organizations:
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For St. Lucie County, call the Wildlife Center of St. Lucie County at (772) 929-9453 or Injured and Orphaned Wildlife at (772) 378-1329. |
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For Injured Birds, call Busch Wildlife Sanctuary at (561) 575-3399, Treasure Coast Wildlife Hospital at (772) 286-6200 or Wildlife Alert at 1 (888) 404-3922 |
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Displacement of Sand Hill Crane nesting, call FWC at (561) 625-5122. |
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For wildlife law enforcement call Capt. Jeff Harlan FWC at (561) 744-9814.
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Surveillance for Wild Bird Die-offs
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is cooperatively working with the Florida Department of Health on a wild bird mortality database. This project was initiated to support surveillance for bird die-offs and aids in monitoring for Avian Influenza (AI) and West Nile Virus (WNV). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has additional information concerning WNV. Please see our web page for links and information concerning AI.
We are also interested in monitoring bird electrocutions from power lines (pdf) and poles so that faulty facilities may be repaired. Please be sure to indicate electrocution as the cause of death when that is the case.
Please help us monitor wild bird populations in Florida. Click here for help in identifying birds. If you notice dead birds, especially waterfowl, shorebirds or crows, please do not touch or handle them; simply let us know by filling out the online form.
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