How to rescue a bird that has hit a window

You will need:

•  brown paper bags with dime-sized holes cut about 4" from the top

•  binder clips or clothespins

•  freezer Ziploc bags (for dead birds)

•  Quietly approach the bird from behind, directly opposite the way its beak is pointing. This will put you in the bird's blind spot, making it less likely to be startled. (A startled bird can fly into a window again and re-injure itself.)  

•  Quickly cup your hands around the bird and tuck it into a brown paper bag. To prevent escape, use your free hand to close the top of the bag around your wrist as you withdraw your hand from the bag. Fold over the top of the bag once or twice and clip it shut with a clothespin or binder clip.  

•  Put the bag in a dark, quiet spot and let the bird rest for an hour. Do not open the bag--the bird could escape and hurt itself again.  

•  After an hour, carefully peek into the bag through the dime-sized hole near the top, or listen for signs of activity. If the bird is alert, it can safely be released.  

Robert F. Wagner Park, south of the Museum of Jewish Heritage, is a good spot to release birds. Central Park, Battery Park, Prospect and Inwood at the northern tip of Manhattan are also good. Go as far away from buildings as possible and open the bag to let the bird fly away. (Never "toss" a bird into the air.) If you prefer, you can hold the bird until a NYC Audubon or Parks Department representative can pick it up.  

If the bird has not recovered, or appears to be severely injured, it should be taken to a wildlife rehabilitator.  To arrange a pick-up call:

(Weekdays) Dr. Joan S. Zofnass (or Pat Chin Sweeney) at 917-513-3126 or 212-752-2203
(8:30am until 10pm Mon-Fri)
(Weekends) Denise Trezza at 646-283-4192
or:
New York City Audubon office at: 212-691-7483 (Weekdays)

Do not handle or look at the bird any more than is absolutely necessary. Human contact is stressful for birds... and stress kills!  

If you find a dead bird:

•  Approach the bird as if it were alive. (Sometimes "dead" birds are just stunned and fly away when you try to pick them up.)

•  Put the bird into a freezer Ziploc bag. Do not pick the bird up with your bare hands.  

•  If you think the bird has died as the result of a collision with glass, please report the species (if known), time, date and location where you found it to NYC Audubon for our records.

•  Dispose of the bird in the garbage or store it in a cool dry place if a NYC Audubon representative has informed you they will pick it up.

Always be sure to wash your hands before touching your eyes,
nose, mouth, etc., after handling a bird -- whether dead or alive.