Report an Injured Bird
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Report an Injured Bird

Use this guide to determine next steps and connect with Alaska raptor experts who can help.

Found an Injured Bird in Sitka?

Call us 907-747-8662

(8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

After-hours: 907-738-8662

Emergency line

We respond to many rescues throughout Sitka. If you believe a raptor (or other bird) may be injured, do not hesitate to call. We would much rather check on a bird that turns out to be healthy than delay care for one that urgently needs treatment.

Found an Injured Bird Outside of Sitka?

If you find an injured bird in another part of Alaska, please keep it safe until we can arrange a flight and follow these steps:

How to Safely Hold a Bird Overnight

  • Place the bird in a secure, enclosed container—such as a kennel or a box with the lid taped shut. Be sure to poke air holes for ventilation.
  • Line the bottom with a towel, pillowcase, or soft cloth to reduce stress and to give the bird traction and absorb any feces.
  • Keep the container in a quiet room with no human or pet traffic (guest bathroom, spare bedroom, heated garage, etc.).
  • Turn off the lights in the room.
  • Do NOT feed the bird.

Arranging Travel to Sitka

We will coordinate transport and call you back with travel details. The shipping will not cost you anything.

To help keep the bird calm during travel, cover the kennel with cardboard or tape a towel/sheet covering the windows and door. Darkening the space helps reduce stress and prevents the bird from becoming agitated during transport.

Birds must be transported in a proper kennel when traveling on an airplane.  For more details on how to prepare a kennel for shipping, download our PDF.

Please note: Some severely injured birds may not survive the night or pass during transport. This is not your fault. In cases of major trauma, even immediate professional care may not change the outcome. Thank you for your compassion and for providing a safe, warm place for the bird to rest.

Found a Baby Songbird?

Baby songbirds often leave the nest and spend a short time hopping on the ground before they become fully independent. During this stage, the best thing you can do is leave them where they are so their parents can continue teaching and caring for them. If you’re not sure whether a young bird needs help, follow the flow chart below or call the Alaska Raptor Center for more information.