Injuries may require treatment by a wildlife rehabilitator.
If you aren’t sure what to do, and you are in Oldham, Henry, Jefferson, Shelby, Spencer, or Trimble County, call Wingspan at 502-228-9034.
If you are in any other county in Kentucky, check the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife web site at www.kdfwr.state.ky.us and then click on “Homepage”, “Wildlife” and “Rehabilitators” for a list of approved wildlife rehabilitators in your area.

ARE YOU MY MOTHER?
That’s what those bright young eyes seem to ask. When you don’t see the parent it’s easy to assume you’ve got an orphan on your hands. Not so fast! Ask yourself…

Does the baby really need to be rescued?
The mother usually is nearby but out of sight-give her a chance to retrieve the baby before you attempt to help.

You can pick up a bird with little or no feathers, place it back in the nest and the mother will continue to take care of it. However, you must be careful not to handle a raptor as even as a young bird they can hurt you. If you think it’s a raptor call a raptor rehabber for help.

Sometimes you will encounter what we call a “Brancher”. This young bird usually has all its feathers but is a few days from flying. The parents are usually still in the area or maybe out looking for food. The bird usually will be fine unless there is a cat, or dog that is bothering the young bird. We usually recommend that you place the bird in a near by tree.

What we are really saying is that unless something has happened to the parents it is not unusual for a bird to be hopping around on the ground and generally will do well left alone.