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Sick, injured and baby birds

Injured birds

Being handled and treated is a very stressful experience for an injured bird, and before you attempt to catch it, you should consider the benefits of treatment weighed against this. More...

Man holding bittern

Trichomonosis in finches and other garden birds

Since summer 2005, a disease caused by a microscopic parasite has been reported in finches in gardens. Since then, outbreaks have been seen every year during the late summer and autumn. Find out more about it and what you can do to help. More...

Greenfinch infected with trichomonosis

Avian pox in garden birds

Avian poxvirus infections have been reported in British garden birds for many years. Find out more about it and what you can do to help. More...

Marsh tit with avian pox

Sick birds

Garden bird feeding can attract unusually high numbers of birds to a confined area, which enables disease to spread easily. Find out what to do if you find a sick bird, information on some of the commoner diseases, and how to minimise the risk of an outbreak. More...

Female chaffinch

Avian influenza (bird flu)

There are numerous strains of the avian influenza (bird flu) virus, and most pose no significant problems for bird or human health. The unusually virulent strain currently causing concern is referred to as H5N1. Find out more about it here. More...

Domestic chicken

Baby birds

In spring and summer, it's common to see young birds on the ground that look as if they've been abandoned by their parents. Read on for advice on what to do if you find a young bird... More...

Juvenile robin on birdtable

Bird deformities

Deformities have been recorded in a wide range of birds and are most frequently seen in species that are easily observable, such as garden birds. These deformities can be caused by injury, genetic defect and disease and most noticeably affect the bill and legs. More...

Chaffinch sitting on birdbath

Oiled birds

If you find an oiled bird alive, do not attempt to clean it yourself. It is a very specialised job and you may well do more harm than good. More...

Oiled guillemot standing on beach with wings outstretched

Stranded seabirds

During strong gales seabirds, such as gannets, fulmars, Manx shearwaters and little auks may get blown inland and find themselves stranded. More...

Fulmar in flight by sea cliff