What to do  if you 

found a bird in need

Sometimes it can be tricky to decide whether a wild bird needs help. Use the tips below to decide the best course of action. If you need advice, call us at (480) 595-5047. We may not answer the phone if our hands are full, but make sure to leave a message, and we’ll return your call as quickly as possible!

After Normal Business Hours

If you find an injured bird after normal business hours, call us at (480) 595-5047. We will likely advise you to find a cardboard box, make air holes in the top, place the injured bird inside, and place the box in a quiet, dark location. Do not try to force-feed or give the bird water as this can lead to death. If for some odd reason you have not heard back from us, PLEASE contact Wild At Heart during normal business hours.

Please do not email us about a bird that needs help; we won’t get the message as quickly.

Does the bird really need help?

Use these tips below to decide the best course of action.

NORMAL Behaviors:

  • Adult bird flying only a short distance: A bird may fly only a short distance away (1-3 feet) when approached. This behavior is known as injury-feigning — a ruse aimed at distracting a predator from eggs or chicks.
  • Small owls are not always babies: Most owl species are less than 8 inches tall. Baby owls, or owlets, are only found in Arizona between February and September.
  • Young bird on the ground: Young fledglings with a mix of feathers and fuzz, like a Great Horned Owlet, are commonly seen on the ground because they grow too big to fit in their nests. Like toddlers, fledglings are very curious about their environment and eager to explore. Its parents will remain close yet out of sight but will continue to care for, follow, and feed the fledging(s) for weeks until they gain the strength to fly. Unless you see apparent injuries, LEAVE THEM ALONE!!
  • Owls seen during daytime: Birds of Prey, including owls, are often seen during day light. Several smaller species spend a majority of their active time in daylight.

CALL US if you see:

  • Blood is visible anywhere on the bird.

  • Signs of injuries such as a severe limp, eye injury, or broken wings.
  • If the bird seems ‘sleepy’ even when you approach within 2-3 feet.
  • If the bird is a baby and has very few full feathers and is fuzzy and small in size.
  • If you find an adult (fully feathered) bird sitting in the same spot on the ground for hours.

  • If the baby or immobile bird is in a dangerous location such as a street, parking lot, edge of swimming pool, or in a yard with dogs and/or cats.

Raptor

RESCUE & REHABILITATION LIST

HeadquartersJurisdiction Area of CareNameContact Info
Cave CreekState of ArizonaAll RaptorsWild At Heart480-595-5047
PhoenixState of ArizonaAll Wildlife – Including RaptorsLiberty Wildlife480-998-5550

Window Crash

This unfortunate event happens frequently; however, most instances do not require assistance. The bird may be momentarily stunned and disoriented from the impact. Usually, birds need 5 minutes to 1 hour (give or take) to recover and will be on their way again.

If the bird is still on the ground more than an hour and you can approach the bird within 1-2 feet, place a box over it to keep it safe until a volunteer can come retrieve the bird to bring it into the Wild At Heart facility.

If you have questions, feel free to message us
or call at 480-595-5047.

A Few Recent Rescues

A Rescue Story

Wild At Heart Owl Rescue…”The staff at Capital Insight Partners, LLC discovered a Great Horned Owl outside their window. The poor…

Pushing the Envelope

Fly or die. The philosophy of some raptor rehab centers. It means if a rescued bird arrives with an injury and the prognosis for release is questionable…

AZ State Trooper saves a young Golden Eagle

On June 17, 2021, an eagle-eyed AZ State Trooper went to scoop some debris off a sun soaked Interstate 17 near an exit point…

Use this map to find other rehabber facilities.