Birds fall into human hands for a variety of reasons, but most often because of accidents, attacks by predators and being found as fledglings. Whatever the causes, these birds are wild creatures and if you are prepared to care for them you must aim to return them to their own environment as soon as possible - in fact the law requires you to do so.

Before touching or picking up a wild bird, however, do make sure that it really has been abandoned and that it is not just reacting to a potential threat (possibly you!) and 'playing dead'. Also, sometimes the parents of a fledgling are nearby, but waiting for you to disappear, before they reclaim their offspring.

Caring for any sick creature involves considerable time, expertise and patience· If you are not prepared to take on this responsibility or if the bird is injured beyond recovery, it is better to be realistic about this and have the bird humanely destroyed. Taking a wild bird into human care should be considered only as a last resort, particularly if it is a young bird. The chances of successfully treating a sick or an injured bird and returning it back to the wild are very low, except by a small handful of expert rehabilitators. Furthermore, the stress that the bird will go through in captivity often outweighs any advantages of the treatment.

Fledgling Robin

If you do take in a bird in distress it is best to seek expert help as soon as you can. RSPCA/SSPCA/USPCA are often able to help, and there is also a network of privately run rescue centres across the UK. Many vets are happy to treat wild birds free of charge, although they rarely have the facilities for the aftercare. It is worth contacting a local vet to find out if they are happy to help. Please note that the RSPB is a conservation organisation, and as such we do not have any expertise, veterinary staff, or facilities for treating or housing sick, injured or orphaned birds.

This page gives some useful information for dealing with distressed birds. We thank the RSPCA and SSPCA for their help in compiling the information.

· Sick or injured birds need overnight quiet, warmth and darkness.
· Identify the species, if possible.
· Give appropriate food after an initial period of rest.
· Diseases or injuries should be treated by a vet.
· Birds beyond complete recovery should be destroyed humanely.
Please seek professional help for this.
· Do not try to clean oiled birds; contact the RSPCA/SSPCA.
· Young birds should usually be left undisturbed.
· Birds must be released as soon as possible and close to the site of finding