Triage Orphaned Birds

Triage of South Australian Birds
for Veterinary Clinics

Nestlings

Totally dependent on adults, still in nest and either naked or with downy covering.

Will gape for food and cannot fly or perch
Due to lack of plumage, can be hard to ID
Cannot thermo-regulate

Fledglings

Mostly dependent on adults for food, still gaping and calling for food but will forage.

Learning to fly
Fully thermo-regulating

Adults

Full adult plumage as shown in avian field guides.

Admission of Native Birds

The important things to do when a bird comes into care:

Obtain the exact location, date found, name and mobile number of member of public
Obtain any history known e.g cat brought in, on ground covered in ants
Make a note of species, and age of the bird i.e. nestling, fledgling, adult

If you are unsure of the age or species of the bird, take a photo and send to Save Our Wildlife Foundation Inc. (SOWFI) via our facebook page with details of your clinic and requesting an ID.

Initial and Post Examination

If the bird is an orphaned nestling, unharmed, place on heat or in an incubator if available.

If the bird has presented injured or unwell, make it comfortable in ideally a cardboard box until it can be examined in further detail. If there are no veterinarians on duty that have experience or knowledge with birds call the number below and allow us to organise for transfer to another clinic.

If the bird is considered a candidate for rehabilitation and release, call us on the number below to find an accredited volunteer. Please call as early in the day as possible to allow our volunteers time to co-ordinate pick-up and care.

Triage of South Australian Birds​for Veterinary Clinics