Birds
Rescue and transportation
Birds are very difficult to catch with bare hands.  An old coat, blanket or towel will help if thrown over the casualty, although birds are most easily caught with a net.  But remember, you will probably not catch a bird that can fly. Once you have rescued a bird, most should be held around the shoulders to prevent them from flapping their wings, and never allow birds near your face.

Pigeons, doves and small garden birds
All these birds are very susceptible to stress.  It is best to transport them in a covered box, and leave opening of the box until you get to the wildlife hospital.

Herons, bitterns, grebes and other birds with long pointed beaks
These may all try to stab a handler especially around the face.  If possible wear protective goggles when handling these birds, and always hold the head away from you.

Birds of prey and owls
All will attack you with their feet, but very seldom bite.  Always wear thick gloves to handle these birds and keep control of the feet.  It is best to transport them in a box that is covered, and keep as quiet as possible.

Crows and gulls
All have very painful bites.  Wear thick gloves for handling and an elastic band wrapped around the very tip of the beak (avoid covering the nostrils) will prevent biting.  Once again they should be transported in a covered box.

When to assist

Bird cannot stand
Can mean that one or more leg is injured, or possible spine or head trauma; the bird needs medical attention.

One leg hangs useless
Fractured legs can be easily treated in birds, take to your nearest wildlife rescue centre.

Bird is a grounded swift, grebe, or diver
Swifts feed on the wing and cannot take off from the ground, grebes and divers can only take off from water.  Therefore, if grounded, these birds all need assistance to take off again.

Bird is an ocean-going species stranded inland
Possibly blown off course by the wind. These types of birds will need to be taken back to the sea for release.

The beak is damaged
Birds cannot feed or drink with a damaged beak and will need immediate medical attention.

Bird has oil on its feathers
Oil causes a number of problems including loss of water proofing on the feathers, and if birds preen they will ingest the oil.

Bird standing in the road  
Needs to be taken out of danger.

Bird fallen in water
(NOT water birds)
Will become water logged and drown.

Definitely frozen in ice  
Never walk across frozen ponds, rivers etc., contact your local wildlife rescue centre for assistance.

Caught by a cat
Any bird that is caught by a cat needs an antibiotic injection, even if there are no visible signs of injury.

When to leave alone

Bird standing on one leg
Always watch the bird to see if it has another leg.

"Apparently" orphaned
Parent birds can rear baby birds far more successfully than humans can.

"Apparently" frozen in ice
Water birds will sit on the ice for long periods of time.  Always try to encourage birds to move, by offering food.

Swan grazing in field
Swans can take off from land and will often land in fields to eat the grass.

Any bird with only one eye (except hawks)
Hawks rely on their eyesight to catch their prey, other birds can manage fine with only one eye.

When you would endanger yourself or others  
Never put yourself or others in danger.