Help Injured Birds: What You Can Do
Find a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator
The Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries provides a comprehensive list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators across the state. You can search by city or county to find help near you.
How to Prevent Bird Injuries
Keep Roadsides Clean
Never throw trash from your vehicle or litter along roads. Discarded food and waste attract small animals like rodents, which in turn lure raptors and other birds of prey dangerously close to traffic. Every year, many birds are injured or killed in vehicle collisions due to roadside litter. Please do your part—keep roads clean.
Make Windows Bird-Safe
Window collisions are a leading cause of bird injuries. Position bird feeders at least 3 feet or more than 30 feet from windows. Install window decals or silhouettes to help birds recognize and avoid the glass.
Keep Cats Indoors
Domestic cats are one of the top causes of bird mortality in the U.S. If you have cats, keep them indoors—especially during early morning and late afternoon hours when birds are most active.
What to Do If You Find a Baby Bird
Before intervening, make sure the bird is truly orphaned. Fledglings are often left temporarily alone while their parents search for food. Watch carefully for several minutes—if no adult returns, the bird may need help.
If you believe the bird is orphaned, contact the A.R.K. wildlife hotline:
(804) 598-8380
Preventing Window Strikes
Want to protect birds from striking your windows? The Consumer Guide to Window Strike Prevention is a free, detailed resource explaining which solutions work, how much they cost, and how to install them—including DIY options. Every method included has been tested by the American Bird Conservancy and includes netting options recommended by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
“I developed this guide over three years after a catbird fatally struck my glass storm door,” says author Jim Cubie, a retired Nader consumer advocate. “By trying every system myself, I was able to learn their practical strengths, weaknesses, and answer the questions homeowners often have.”
Download the guide here