01
Cover the bird
Approach calmly from behind when possible. Completely cover the bird with a towel, blanket, jacket, or other lightweight item. Keep dogs and crowds away.
Bird emergency
Found an injured raptor?
Your first job is to keep yourself safe and reduce the bird's stress. Call REGI before transport whenever possible.
Before you move closer
Raptors have extremely sharp, powerful talons. If you do not feel confident containing the bird, keep people and pets away, note the location, and call REGI for guidance or volunteer transport help.
Not a raptor?
Use the right guide before intervening.
Safe recovery guide
Three careful steps can prevent further injury.
02
Secure the talons
A raptor's feet are its primary defense. Keep the legs and talons covered, gather the wings naturally against the body, and hold both legs high near the body.
03
Box and transport
Place the bird in a ventilated cardboard box lined with a towel. Keep it quiet, dark, and warm. Never use a wire cage, car trunk, or open pickup bed.
While you wait
Quiet. Dark. Warm.
Do not offer food or water. Keep the closed box in a safe, temperature-controlled room away from children, pets, music, and unnecessary handling until REGI responds.
Remember the location
Release starts here.
Record exactly where the bird was found. REGI needs that geographic information to return a recovered bird to its home territory when it is ready for release.
Legal & licensed care
Rescue is legal. Keeping the bird is not.
Federal and Wisconsin law allow a person to rescue and immediately transport a bird of prey to a licensed rehabilitator.
It is illegal to possess or keep a raptor or other protected native bird. REGI is licensed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to provide specialized rehabilitation.
Call REGI now