If you find a bird with a broken wing, you might be able to help. A bird who has a broken wing will usually be grounded and will hold one wing lower than the other. If you can easily catch the bird, that in itself usually means the bird is injured. Read through the instructions below to get started.  

Note: If you don't know what kind of bird you're dealing with, you might need to get help from a rehabilitator. Some large birds (hawks, owls, herons, etc.) can cause you injury. Pigeons and all other kinds of doves cannot cause injury to humans. You can pick up the bird and help without worrying about getting hurt or hurting the bird.

Step One: Bring the Bird to Safety

Before doing any work, bring the bird to a safe, quiet place away from all other animals. If necessary, use a net to catch the bird, but be very careful not to cause further injury.  A pigeon who is otherwise healthy but has a broken wing will try to run away from you. You’ll need to try to corner the bird so you can catch him. Confine the injured or sick pigeon in a small place (box, cage, pet carrier). Wait until you are inside a closed-off room before working on your bird.

Step Two: Examine the Bird

The fact that a bird isn’t flying doesn’t necessarily mean that the wing is broken. The bird may be sick or injured in some other way. A broken wing will hang differently from the other wing, lower or at an awkward angle. It may drag on the ground. If the wing was broken recently, it can usually be fixed. If the bird has some other problem, though, or is sick, you must get the bird to an avian vet immediately.  

This bird has a wound that needs to be washed.

Before working on the wing, look for any open wounds. If you see any blood or sign of infection, you should get the bird to an avian vet immediately. If you are caring for the bird yourself, wash the wound (I use a heavily diluted iodine solution) and apply antibiotic. If the bird has an infection, it will need to be on antibiotics, so you will need the help of an avian vet.  

Step Three: Immobilize the Broken Wing

If you are sure that you have an otherwise healthy bird with a broken wing and no infections or serious open wounds, you may proceed to secure the broken wing.

   Part One: Gather the necessary equipment:

• vet tape (gauze that sticks to itself)

• scissors

   Part Two: Tape the Wing

Mourning Dove with Wrapped Wing

1. Cut about 10-12 inches (unstretched) of tape.

2. Using your hands, secure the broken wing against the body in its natural position.

3. Wrap the tape on the outside of the broken wing and around the body under the healthy wing. 

CAUTION: You must be sure that you are not obstructing breathing! Do not wrap too tightly. 

It helps if you can have someone else hold his feet back and then hold his good wing up.

4. Secure the tape to itself.

5. Watch the bird for several minutes. The bird might fall over and be awkward for the first day. His feet should be free to move around, but his broken wing needs to be immobile. He might use his other wing for balance – that’s fine. Be sure that his feet are behind the tape (on the tail side) and that they do not get caught in the tape.

WARNING: If the bird is able to drink by himself, be SURE that his water dish is small and shallow so that he will not drown. The bird has limited mobility and can easily drown in his water dish unless you place the dish strategically and make sure it is shallow (not more than 1/3 inch deep).

Step Four: Hydrate the Bird

If the bird is injured (but not sick), be sure that he gets water immediately and try to get some food into him. Leave him some good seed and check frequently to make sure he's eating. If he's not, you'll need to hand feed him or get him to an avian vet immediately.

Note: Tubefeeding is for pigeons ONLY. For pigeons and doves, use baby bird formula, such as Kaytee Exact. It's safest to just put a swallow at a time into his beak if you're unfamiliar with tubefeeding. Use wet cat food for insect-eating birds.

In this case, we gave the bird 
15 cc's of baby bird formula mixed with warm water, 
1 drop of vitamin, and one drop of worm medicine.

Step Five: Check the Bird

Keep the bird in a safe place and confined to a small area, preferably a bird cage. Check the bird frequently to make sure the tape is still secure and that he's eating and drinking. You will need leave the tape on for two to four weeks. Change it weekly or more often if it gets soiled.

Step Six: Let the Bird Fly Again

After the bird's wing is healed, you will need to put him in a bigger place and let him learn to fly again. If he can fly well, he can be released to the same place where you found him. If he cannot fly well, he should not be released. In the latter case, get the bird to a rehabilitator or anyone who is willing to care for him.

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