01
Observe & Assess
Keep your distance and watch the bird. Not all birds on the ground need rescued. Look for signs of injury or if parents are nearby.
02
Contain Safely
If the bird is clearly injured or in immediate danger, gently place it in a well-ventilated box lined with a soft cloth or paper towels.
03
Keep Warm & Quiet
Place the box in a dark, quiet, and warm location away from pets and children. Stress is a major killer of rescued birds.
04
Contact for Help
Take a clear photo of the bird and message us immediately on Facebook. (Link above)
Detailed information about the location and situation helps us provide the best guidance.
Specialized care instructions for bird species commonly found in Hawaiʻi.
Whether you found a fledgling or an injured adult, these guides provide the path to direct rescue.
Dove / Pigeon
Leave it: Alert and feathered.
Needs help: Bleeding or cold.
Care: Box with a soft towel in a quiet room.
Contact: If predator-caught or found listless.
Bulbul
Leave it: Supervised by parents in bushes.
Needs help: Stuck in a dangerous urban area.
Care: Quiet box away from pets.
Contact: If adult bird is grounded or wing-drooping.
Bird Care Guides
Finch / Sparrow
Leave it: Active and vocal near parents.
Needs help: Dehydrated or fallen from high nest.
Care: Provide gentle warmth with a heating pad.
Contact: If eyes are crusted or unable to stand.
Duckling / Duck
Leave it: If following a mother duck.
Needs help: Lone / separated duckling.
Care: DRY box with towel. NO swimming.
Contact: If mother was hit or duckling is lost.
Mynah
Leave it: Fledglings hopping and noisy.
Needs help: Predator attack or neurological signs.
Care: Ventilated box with paper towels.
Contact: For trauma or weird behaviors.
Chick / Chicken
Leave it: With hen or feral flock.
Needs help: Lone chick or cat strike.
Care: Continuous warmth and flat water lid.
Contact: If the bird is limping or listless.
Rescue Supply Checklist
- Clean cardboard box with air holes
- Clean, soft towel (no loose strings)
- Non-latex gloves
- Hand sanitizer
- Safe transport carrier
- Masking tape to secure box lid
- Small net (if available)
- Phone to take photos/video
Safe Release
Returning a bird to the wild is the ultimate goal. A bird is ready for safe release when it meets these criteria: fully feathered and able to fly strongly, capable of finding and eating its own food, display appropriate fear of humans and predators, and released in a safe, species-appropriate habitat during fair weather morning hours.
What Not to Do
DO NOT feed the bird.
Giving food or water to a stressed, cold, or injured bird can cause them to aspirate or go into shock. Most birds can go 24 hours without food, and waiting for guidance is much safer.
DO NOT use a cage. Wire cages can damage sensitive feathers and increase stress. A cardboard box with air holes is the safest environment.
DO NOT handle more than necessary. Birds view humans as predators. Every touch increases their heart rate and stress levels.
DO NOT keep them in a noisy area. Keep the box in a quiet, dark place away from children, pets, and household noise.