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Humane destruction
It is natural to feel that a bird, however seriously injured, must be given a chance of life.
A bird with a badly broken wing will seldom be able to fly again and a lame bird is severely handicapped in the struggle for existence. In such cases it is better for the bird to be humanely destroyed.
Please contact a vet, the RSPCA/SSPCA/USPCA or a wildlife rehabilitation centre for guidance, especially when the bird is large. Please see the contacts box below, or use the links on the right.
Although it is legal to keep a permanently disabled bird, this is not recommended. Wild birds rarely take well to captivity, and the stress this causes to the bird is often such that it is far kinder for the bird to put it down.
Last modified: 11 November 2009
The RSPB does not run bird hospitals or a rescue service. The RSPCA (England and Wales), SSPCA (Scotland) and USPCA (Northern Ireland) are the national charities that help and advise on sick and injured birds and animals. Tiggywinkles and The Swan Sanctuary also take in wild birds in need of care.