Window Casualties: To the Rescue! You spot a bird sitting motionless beneath a window. What do you do? First, assess the situation. Is the bird sitting with its eyes closed? Is it lying on its side or back? Is it all fluffed up with its beak hidden in its feathers? These behaviours indicate the bird is injured and in need of help. Even if the bird is merely stunned, predatory animals in the vicinity such as cats, racoons, gulls, crows or others may take advantage of its helpless state. Often a bird found near a window has collided with the window, but this is not always the case. The bird may have been caught by a cat or it may be a fledgling that has just fallen out of its nest. When in doubt, call your local wildlife rehabilitation centre for advice. If you determine that the bird needs to be rescued, first prepare a container such as a cardboard box or paper bag as a temporary shelter. If you use a box be sure that the bottom is lined with newspaper, add a twig to give the bird's claws a perch, and punch small holes into the sides to allow air flow. A secure lid will prevent the bird from escaping. If you use a paper bag, put a piece of slightly crumpled tissue or twig in the bottom, too. This will reduce the bird's stress level. Be sure that the container you have chosen is large enough for the bird to sit in comfortably without bending any of its feathers. If you don't happen to have a small net around the house such as those used for catching butterflies, find a small towel without holes or loose strings (that might catch the bird's claws). Once you have your rescue equipment ready, slowly approach the bird directly from behind, if possible. It is then less likely to notice you since birds have a blind spot at the back of their heads (except, it seems, woodcocks whose eyes are positioned such that they appear to have 360 degree vision!). When you're in position, gently drop the towel or net over the bird, then quickly place it inside the covered box or bag. Make sure that the bag is properly closed either by scrunching up the top or securing it with a paper clip. If you notice any obvious injuries such as a twisted head, a wing or leg in an abnormal position, swollen eyes or any sign of blood take the bird to a rehab centre immediately. Otherwise, place the box in a quiet, dark, warm room for up to 1 1/2 hours. Do not feed the bird or give anything to drink. And leave it alone - it's tempting to peek inside to see how the bird is doing but that will probably only delay its recovery. If after an hour or so there's been no change in the bird's appearance, it's probably seriously injured and should be taken to rehab. But if it's raring to go, start with a test flight. Find a small room with no openings in the walls, ceiling, floor into which the bird can escape. Bathrooms are ideal. Be sure the curtains are closed and any reflective surfaces such as a mirror are covered. Also, close the door. Have your towel handy and make sure you can find the light switch. Once you are ready, gently open the temporary shelter. If the bird flies out without difficulty it has likely recovered from its unfortunate mishap and is ready to go. But if you're unsure, contact the experts. The best way to recapture the bird is to quietly let it land somewhere where you can reach it, turn off the light (birds are less reactive in the dark) and drop your towel on it once more. Put the bird back into its container and take it outside far away from buildings. (But, if possible, set it free in the same vicinity, since birds released in an unknown location will be at least temporarily disoriented.) Gingerly open the bag or box, and let the bird leave when it's ready. If you've never done it before, you'll be thrilled to watch a bird fly free again. But in your euphoria, don't forget the original cause of the commotion. If birds are hitting your windows find a way to make the glass visible to them. Contact FLAP at (416) 366-3527, or call your local wildlife rehabilitation centre. Cindy Pyves Cindy is the Animal Care Supervisor at the Toronto Wildlife Centre. She rescued her first bird, a Barn Swallow, while at university. Then, she read an article about FLAP and has been rescuing birds ever since.