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RE:Injured towhee



As a follow-up to the accurate information Ms. Perlman provided, I've found 
that a brown paper bag held shut with a clothespin works very well to contain 
small passerines with head trauma. The key is to give the bird a warm, dark 
place in which to recover. Most often the birds recover overnight and can be 
released the following morning.  Do not provide water as the bird will 
probably flop around into the dish and become wet.

If access to veterinary care is available, the birds may be treated with 
Azium (Dexamethazone) at a dosage of 2-4mg/kg given IM or IV. Although most 
vets will quickly pick up on fractured wings and/or legs, they should also 
check the clavicle as that is often the site of injuries.  By law, 
veterinarians cannot return a migratory bird (anything wild except 
pigeons,starlings, or house sparrows) to an unlicensed person, so finding a 
wildlife rehabilitator is imperative. Rehabilitators may be located by 
contacting your state Dept. of Environmental Protection, local game warden, 
or Humane Society. They may also contact the National Wildlife Rehabilitators 
Association at (320) 259-4086 which publishes a directory of rehabilitators 
across the United States.

Ed Hiestand
Rodanthe, NC