Feature

Who should I call if I am concerned about a bird?

With lots of different wildlife organisations out there it can be confusing to know who to contact. Calling the wrong organisation can delay an animal receiving the correct help. Therefore, we have created the following information to guide you.

Is the RSPB the right organisation to contact?
Baby garden birds
Other species of baby wild birds
Who to contact if a wild animal needs help
Oil spills and oiled birds
Animals on roads
Which organisation should I contact about pets, captive and domestic birds?
What to do if you find sick or dead birds
Prevent window collisions

Is the RSPB the right organisation to contact?

In short, we’re not the right people to get in touch with. The RSPB is a conservation charity, and we don’t have the expertise or facilities to rescue birds or to provide advice or help with the welfare of individual wild animals or pets. We also don’t have access to any non-public databases of wildlife or pet rescues.

Our area of expertise is protecting habitats, preserving and recovering species populations, connecting people to nature and helping fight the nature and climate emergency.

There are other organisations and charities which are much better suited to helping in different ways. See below.

Mistle Thrush feeding fledgling on the ground — Mistle Thrush

Baby garden birds

Nestlings (baby birds without feathers) should not be out of the nest and will need help. Where possible they should be returned to their nest (make sure it’s the right one!), you can find further advice on the RSPCA website here.

But, if you ever find a garden bird fledgling (fully feathered baby bird) on the ground, if they’re not sick or injured they’re usually best left alone.

They intentionally leave the nest before they can fly, and their parents are usually nearby and still caring for them. Parents may even be waiting for people to leave before they return to their young. It’s normal for fledglings to be on the ground between a few days to a week or so whilst they finish growing their flight feathers.

During this time, please keep people and pets away, and leave the fledgling undisturbed and in the care of their parents. Remember that birds take far better care of their young than humans can. Taking baby birds into captivity can dramatically reduce their chances of long-term survival.

If they’re in a position of danger, fledglings can be moved to a nearby sheltered, safe place such as under a hedge. They still need to be within hearing range of where they were found, as parents often use calls to locate their young. Watch the fledglings from a distance until you have seen the parents find them.

Exceptions to the rule

Whilst this is the general rule for garden birds, it’s important to be aware that it doesn’t apply to all species of birds. For example, feathered Swift chicks/nestlings are often confused for garden bird fledglings but should not be out of the nest and if they are on the ground will need help. Please see the next section for advice on what to do for some commonly encountered species which are exceptions to the rule.

Other species of baby wild birds

You can find advice covering when and how to help these species of baby birds on the RSPCA’s website:

A Swift lying on kitchen towel. — Swift nestling

Who to contact if a wild animal needs help

It can be incredibly stressful for wild animals to be taken into captivity and in some circumstances, it may be in their best interest to leave them be. So, if you’re worried about an animal and you’re unsure what to do, we’d recommend contacting a wildlife rescue for advice before taking any action.

Local wildlife rescues

It’s often in the best interest of the animal to find help locally. This can be quicker and reduce the need for transportation which is stressful for wildlife. The RSPCA website details the best way to find local wildlife rescues here. This includes searching your address on directories such as www.helpwildlife.co.uk

Other organisations which may be able to help for certain species:

Raptor Rescue: 0870 241 0609
The Swan Sanctuary: 01932 240790
The Swift Conservation website contains advice and contact numbers for Swift rehabilitators. Never attempt to launch a grounded Swift, always contact a Swift rehabilitator for advice.
House Martin Conservation UK and Ireland: 07773 363096
Bat Conservation Trust: 0345 1300 228
British Divers Marine Life Rescue: 01825 765546
British Hedgehog Preservation Society: 01584 890 801

A lone Hedgehog sat on top of a moss covered log. — Hedgehog

Local vets

All vets should provide emergency first aid treatment to wildlife free of charge. Some vets may limit access to their buildings due to avian flu but should still be able to see birds outside. If the vet decides that the animal requires additional longer-term care in the form of rehabilitation, the animal can be transported to a local wildlife rescue.

You can search for a local vet here.

The RSPCA, SSPCA and USPCA

If you cannot find help locally, or for more difficult cases such as those involving trapped wildlife or larger animals which may be difficult or dangerous for the public to handle, you can contact these national animal rescues for advice and to see if they can help:

RSPCA: 0300 1234 999 (England and Wales)
SSPCA: 03000 999 999 (Scotland)
USPCA: 028 3025 1000 (Northern Ireland)

A Common Seal, resting on the muddy shore at Saltholme reserve in winter — Common Seal

Oil spills and oiled birds

For oil spills you need to contact different organisations depending on where it is.

For coastal incidents:

Report to the Coastguard, local numbers can be found here.

For inland incidents:

Report to the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60

If there are live oiled birds, please also report to:

RSPCA: 0300 1234 999 (England and Wales)
SSPCA: 03000 999 999 (Scotland)
USPCA: 028 3025 1000 (Northern Ireland)

Oil is particularly toxic to a bird if ingested, which easily happens when they try to preen off the oil. Please do not attempt to clean birds yourself, it requires specialist equipment and expertise.