The bird will generally take 4 to 6 hours to recover from shock if there are no other major medical issues or injuries sustained – if it doesn't – seek advice.
Birds are often in shock after colliding with a solid surface. If step B is not possible, allow the bird time to recover inside the container (1-2 hours). Do not attempt to feed or provide water to the bird. Later, try to release the bird in suitable habitat away from the window.
The bird will generally take 4 to 6 hours to recover from shock if there are no other major medical issues or injuries sustained – if it doesn't – seek advice. While the bird is in shock, don't force it to eat or drink.
Some birds will recover within 10 minutes while others may take around three to four hours. Try to resist the temptation to open the box every few minutes as it's better to leave the bird to recover on its own without further added stress.
Birds go into shock very easily when injured, and often die from the shock. If a bird has hit a window and is still alive, it may just need a little time to regain its senses, then may be able to fly away. Do not try to force feed or give water to the bird.
For most injured birds, place them gently in a box and keep them quiet, dark and cool. It may be that the bird is in shock and will soon recover so you can let it go. If it is more seriously injured, this will reduce stress on the bird until you can get advice on how you can help it.
Place the wild bird in a cardboard box and cover it with a lid or towel. Then place the box in a cool, safe place to give the wild bird time to recover from the shock of the injury. Be careful when handling the injured bird; use gloves to protect yourself from any disease or germ.
Birds sitting on a wire don't touch the ground (or anything in contact with the ground), so electricity stays in the power line. But, if a bird touches a power line and equipment or other metal that is grounded, it gives electricity a path to the ground, and the bird could be shocked.
Hypovolemic shock is commonly seen and caused by inadequate blood volume. Absolute hypovolemia occurs due to haemorrhage from trauma, coagulopathies or gastrointestinal tract bleed.
Many birds are able to fly off after window collisions, but if they are knocked out or stunned and on the ground they should be gently picked up and placed in a warm, dark, sheltered place for at least two hours.
Don't offer food or water without being advised by an expert to do so.
According to psychologist and ecologist Gay Bradshaw, PhD—who established the field of trans-species psychology—captive birds experience Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from prolonged, repeated suffering.
Many bird rehabilitators agree that any stunned bird needs proper care. If it's safe to do so, place the bird in a shoe box or a similar box with a lid with a paper towel or cloth under the bird for stability. Once the bird is secured, contact your local wildlife agency or wildlife rehabilitator for guidance.
A stunned bird looks like it is limp and weak from the physical trauma. Cover the bird with a cloth to keep it warm and check on the bird every 20 minutes. Recovery time may take a few minutes and some may take up to 2-3 hours.
Give your bird some new ones frequently to keep it stimulated. Make sure that your bird also gets plenty of "one-on-one" time with you and other family members and that it gets adequate time to play outside of the cage each day. That ride on your shoulder might make a lot of difference in your bird's mood.
When a bird is afraid, they pull their feathers close to their bodies. Showy birds like cockatiels may put their crests up or spread out their wings close to the ground. Some birds stand in a corner and rock from side to side.
Birds that are constantly stressed and sad may eat less and may lose weight or suffer nutritional deficiencies. Extremely anxious birds that feather pick and self-mutilate may permanently damage their feather follicles, preventing regrowth of feathers, and scar their skin.
Disease: Water contaminated with feces, rotting debris, and mold is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria that can spread diseases to any bird that takes a drink.
Any songbird you find on the ground who is an adult, rather than a fledgling, and who does not immediately fly away from you is in need of help. The bird is either sick or injured and must be taken right away to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
When a bird is suffering from ataxia, they have the inability to coordinate their voluntary muscles. They will appear clumsy and will stand with their legs splayed apart for balance or they may use their beak as a hook on the side of their cage to stay balanced.
Signs include seizures, ataxia, tremors, head tilt and blindness. Head trauma is common if the bird is free flying. The commonest cause of seizures is hypocalcaemia, hypoglycemia (neonates and starved raptors), lead poisoning and trauma.
Shock is a critical condition brought on by the sudden drop in blood flow through the body. Shock may result from trauma, heatstroke, blood loss, an allergic reaction, severe infection, poisoning, severe burns or other causes.
The three phases of shock: Irreversible, compensated, and decompsated shock.