Bird-saving | Woo Ming Chuan

Question: If I see birds blown down to the ground (birds with nest, adult birds or juveniles), but they are just common birds (such as sparrows), will Kadoorie Farm or other animal protection organizations reject admitting them?

Expert：Ms Woo Ming Chuan, Senior Conservation Officer of Hong Kong Bird Watching Society

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Many Hong Kongers are very kind and keen to save birds, but you need to know some key facts before you start “bird-saving”!

Firstly, all wild birds in Hong Kong are protected by Hong Kong Law Chapter 170, “Wild Animals Protection Ordinance”; it is therefore illegal to take care of and keep wild birds at home. In addition, fledglings have special nutrition needs and their parents are the best nutritionists. Our good intentions will possibly lead to bad outcomes if we feed them inappropriately.

But if we see birds blown down to the ground, with or without nest and adult or juvenile, we can still do a lot of things.

If the bird is a fledgling or even a nestling

You can observe it from afar first. Its parents are quite likely to be nearby but dare not save the fledgling because of your vicinity.

If it is a bird with its nest

You can carefully put the nest back onto the tree or somewhere higher above the ground to protect it from cat or snake attacks. You can then again observe it from a distance.

If you find an adult bird

You do not need to worry too much as long as it can still fly and forage - they are very adaptable!

However, if the bird is injured and cannot move or feed properly, you have to be cautious! Like many other animals, injured birds are usually fearful and agitated. If you carelessly approach them, they will probably attack or struggle against you, exacerbating their injuries. You can drill some breathing holes on a paper box and use it to cover the injured bird, which will feel more at ease in darkness. You can then dial the government hotline (1823) or the SPCA Emergency Hotline (27111000) for help.

They will dispatch their vehicles and staff to takeover the injured bird. These organizations usually deliver injured birds to the Kadoorie Farm Wild Animal Rescue Centre, which does not have its own rescue vehicles. If you want to directly hand the injured bird to Kadoorie Farm, you have to arrange for delivery on your own within their office hours.

Currently I have not heard of a situation where admission to Rescue Centre is rejected, but different organizations have different rescue standards and rules. You can contact them directly for more details.

As a final reminder, these services are wild animal’s 999 emergency line, so please do not misuse them!

Hong Kong Bird Watching Society: “Suggested actions for different bird cases”https://bit.ly/2JoPYDu

Improper wild bird-saving can become bird-killing https://bit.ly/2mfJz4o

Saving a different kind of furry friend https://bit.ly/2uuIzNv

*The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the expert and do not necessarily reflect the stance of the centre.