Found a sick, injured, or orphaned bird?

Thank you for stopping. The people below are wildlife rehabilitators, and they're the bird's best chance. Read the three quick steps first, then call the place that cares for your kind of bird.

Before you do anything

Three things, in this order.

  1. Make sure it needs help

    A baby bird on the ground isn't always in trouble. Fledglings (feathered, hopping, a bit clumsy) often leave the nest before they can fly, and their parents are usually nearby. Pasadena Humane's guide (opens in a new tab) has a handy flowchart to help you tell.

  2. Call before you go

    Each place below takes different birds, and some only take drop-offs by appointment. Please call first, and never leave a bird at a facility without talking to someone.

  3. Keep it calm while you wait

    Gently place the bird in a cardboard box lined with a soft cloth, with a few air holes in the lid. Keep it somewhere dark, quiet, and warm, away from pets and kids. Don't give it food or water, even though it's tempting.

Who to call

Find your bird's group, then call the place that suits you best. If one can't help, try the next.

Songbirds, doves, and crows

Sparrows, finches, doves, crows, jays, and hummingbirds.

Hawks, falcons, and owls

Raptors and other birds of prey.

San Dimas Raptor Rescue

San Dimas Canyon Nature Center

(626) 559-5732

Drop-offs by appointment only. Contact: Kristine Koh, volunteer manager.

Orange County Bird of Prey Center

Lake Forest

(949) 837-0786

Eagles and other raptors only.

Waterbirds and shorebirds

Ducks, geese, pelicans, gulls, and sandpipers.

Other wildlife

Birds, plus mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

Called a number that's out of date? Let us know and we'll fix it. Rehabbers move, and we'd hate for someone to waste precious minutes.