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1. Keep the injured bird safe

If the bird is still there, assume it is alive.  A window strike victim can appear to be deceased, but it may only be stunned.  If unsure, assume the bird is alive and give it a chance to recover.
 

Reduce all stress possible – lower voices, move slowly and ensure the bird is kept safe.  If you aren’t alone, have one person watch over the bird, leaving it where found.  This person will ensure cats, dogs and wild scavengers are kept at bay.  If other people happen to be there and curious of what you are doing, quietly educate them and ensure they also are not stressing the animal – no handling and absolutely no selfies. One or two quick non-invasive photos to document the strike are helpful – but never at the cost of stressing an injured animal or causing delay of its rescue.

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2. Secure the bird for recovery

Have someone find a small clean dark box (to preserve warmth and security, and limited movement).  Place something soft at the bottom, ensuring it’s not something that will catch their nails (paper towels are a great choice). This is the first handling the bird should have.  Place the bird(s) gently into the box and place this in a quiet sheltered place, out of the direct sun.   If you are not alone and/or do not have a box, just do your best to keep the bird quiet and safe while you follow the next step.  

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3. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator

Contact our partner CWRS (403-214-1312) for advice.  If after hours, you can also call a local 24-hour vet. Whenever possible, it is best to have a window strike animal examined by a Wildlife Rehabilitator.  Sadly, while birds may appear to be recovered and fly away on their own, they may actually have significant injuries which require treatment for survival.  Left untreated, they may suffer or die later. The Cochrane Ecological Institute (403-932-5632) and the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (403-946-2361) can also provide support. 

4. Your safety is paramount

Never compromise your own safety.  Often, we see injured wildlife in places we simply cannot access safely, such as on behind a construction partition or on the train tracks at a C-Train station.  If you need assistance in such a situation or simply don’t feel comfortable handling the injured bird, please contact Calgary Wildlife (403-214-1312) for guidance.

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Now that you are a bird rescue hero (thank you!), now what?  

You now have an opportunity to contribute to long-term preservation of birds, as well as world-wide data collection.  

Be a Citizen Scientist:  Please upload information regarding the bird strike