To get assistance and/or guidance for safe capture and transport for an injured or orphaned bird, please call us at 207.382.6761. We are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 365 days a year. Holiday hours may vary. Our address is 418 N. Palermo Road, Freedom, ME 04941.
Finding an injured or sick bird can be a little bit distressing. Unfortunately, as more people move into spaces that were once wild, it is becoming more common to find birds that have been hit by cars, have flown into windows, or are suffering from a disease picked up at the local bird feeder. The following guide walks you through the steps to take if you find a bird in need of help, to give it the best chance of survival.
This guide is intended for birds you believe may be sick or injured. For information on what to do if you find a baby bird, please click here. Please see the list of other permitted rehabilitators below.
Capturing and Containing an Injured Bird:
- Gather your materials!
- A container for the bird (cardboard box, tote, recycle bin, etc.) with a towel in the bottom of it. Don’t forget to add air holes!
- A towel/sheet/blanket/jacket
- Protective gloves
- Put the gloves on and grab up your towel/sheet/blanket/jacket.
- Approach the bird slowly, holding your fabric choice out in front of you (like a matador).
- Gently toss the fabric over the bird, making sure its head is covered.
- Pick up the bird from behind, making sure its wings are held in place by your hand(s). Keep in mind where the bird’s feet and beak are!
- Place the bird into the container you have prepped. Gently pull the fabric you used to cover the bird off of it as you remove your hands from the box.
- Close the container.
DO:
- Keep the bird someplace quiet and calm.
- Keep pets and kids away from the bird.
- Call a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.
DON’T:
- Give the bird any food or water.
- Try to treat any issues or wounds yourself.
- Pet the bird or cuddle with it. Remember, to a bird you are a predator.
Please keep in mind YOUR safety when containing a sick or injured bird. Rescuers’ and finders’ safety ALWAYS takes priority over injured wildlife. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, please stop and give us a call at 207-382-6761. We are always happy to help and answer questions!
Find Injured Wildlife that Isn’t a Bird?
Avian Haven will not be admitting turtles (and other reptiles and amphibians) for the 2024 season. Maine is fortunate to have wildlife rehabilitators across the state that can help with all kinds of animals! Here is the contact information for some of the other rehabilitators who could help:
| Location | Name / Facility | Phone | Types of Wildlife |
| Auburn | Jen Marchigiani, Misfits Rehab | 207-212-1039 | All mammals, including Rabies Vector Species*. Specializes in bats. |
| Bar Harbor | Ann Rivers, Acadia Wildlife Center | 207-288-4960 | All birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, including Rabies Vector Species*. |
| Boothbay | Betsy Pratt | 207-380-3617 | Small and medium mammals. |
| Bowdoin | Kathi McCue, Wilderness Miracles | 207-720-0074 | Mammals including Rabies Vector Species*. Bear cubs, but no adult bears or moose. |
| Bowdoin | Deborah Bryan, Lil’ Rascals Wildlife Rehabilitation | 207-607-0110 | Small and medium mammals. |
| Bridgton | Karen Hawkins | 207-647-3734 | Small and medium mammals. |
| Brooklin | Susan Wotton, Critterville Wildlife Rehabilitation | 845-549-2407 | All mammals, including Rabies Vector Species*. Reptiles, amphibians. Specializes in raccoons. |
| Cape Neddick | Center for Wildlife | 207-361-1400 | All birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals. No Rabies Vector Species* species other than bats. |
| Casco | Jessica Jackson, Safe and Sound Wildlife Rehabilitation | 207-807-2585 | Small and medium mammals. |
| E. Baldwin | Wendy Clark, Whip Poor Will Woods Nature Sanctuary and Wildlife Rehabilitation | 207-595-2140 | Raccoons only. |
| Frankfort | Sandra Stone | 207-223-4213 or 207-592-9000 | Mammals including Rabies Vector Species*. No porcupines, mice, or beavers. |
| Hancock | Nancy Fox | 207-667-5130 | Small mammals. Raccoons. |
| Limington | Bethany Brown, Saco River Wildlife Center | 207-420-7159 | Mammals, including Rabies Vector Species*. No deer, moose, or bears. Reptiles and amphibians. |
| N. Waterford | Jacqueline Fanning, Warren Brook Wildlife Rehabilitation | 207-583-6266 | Mammals smaller than a fox, including Rabies Vector Species*. No raccoons. |
| Norway | MelodyEcho Thurlow, Earth Childrens Haven Open Skies | 207-527-2310 | Mammals, including Rabies Vector Species*. No bears or moose. Reptiles. Amphibians. |
| Otisfield | Katrina Carstensen, Carstensen’s Keep | 207-583-2105 | All birds except for raptors. Squirrels, skunks, deer, bobcats, opossums. |
| Poland | Adam Farrington | 207-210-1366 | All reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, including Rabies Vector Species*. |
| Raymond | Pamela Richardson | 207-838-8967 | Small and medium mammals. |
| Sebago | Kristine Beaudoin, Beaudoin Way Wildlife Rehab | 207-807-1986 | Small and medium mammals. |
| Trenton | Kisma Preserve | 207-667-3244 | Mammals, including Rabies Vector Species*. No deer, porcupines, or mice. |
| Wiscasset | Bridget Green | 207-631-0874 | Mammals, including RVS. No moose or bear. |
| Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles | |||
| Bar Harbor | Allied Whale | 207-288-5644 or 207-266-1326 | Marine mammals. Will rehab and assist with strandings. Services the coast from Rockland to the Canadian border. |
| Brunswick | Marine Mammals of Maine | 1-800-532-9551 | Marine mammals and sea turtles. Will rehab and assist with strandings. Services the coast from Rockland to Kittery. |
| Statewide | Northeast Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding and Entanglement Hotline | 866-755-6622 | Reporting of any stranded marine mammal or sea turtle. Will direct you to closest organization that can help. |
Not in Maine?
Check with Animal Help Now (ahnow.org) to find the wildlife rehabilitator closest to you.
*Rabies Vector Species in Maine include skunks, raccoons, foxes, and bats.