Have you found an injured or sick
bird of prey or shorebird?
IMMEDIATELY Call 843.971.7474 extension #1 for assistance.
The Avian Medical Clinic operates 365 days a year and receives numerous calls about injured birds in need of help each day. Calls are monitored and answered from 9am to 9pm Monday through Friday and 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday. If you have found an injured bird, please read the instructions below to Report an injured bird and how to safely assist the bird until it can be transported to the clinic.
The Avian Medical Clinic currently admits between 800-1000 patients each year, representing a variety of birds of prey and shorebird species with injuries ranging from minor to critical.
Working with wild birds, especially when they are compromised by an injury or illness, is an advanced skill, so the Avian Medical Clinic relies on a trained volunteer staff team located throughout South Carolina to assist with properly transporting birds in need to the Medical Clinic for care.
Are you concerned about the health or safety of a wild bird of prey or shorebird?
FIRST – Call the Avian Medical Clinic at 843.971.7474 and press option #1 for the Injured Bird Line.
If we are busy with another call, always leave a message and a dispatcher will return your call as soon as possible.
You can also send an email to dispatch@avianconservationcenter.org. which is monitored regularly. Please include your contact number.
The Injured Bird Line is answered from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. If you need assistance outside of those hours, please leave a voice message and your call will be returned as the first order of business the following morning.
SECOND – Do not handle the bird unless you are confident you can do so without injuring yourself or injuring the bird further. Injured wild birds require specialized treatment and care from a Federally-licensed, experienced practitioner.
It is illegal to possess any migratory bird without state and federal permits. However, your temporary assistance is allowed in helping an injured bird reach proper care and doing so ensures its best chance for recovery and return to its natural environment.
THIRD – If the bird is contained, do not offer food or water to the bird.
The bird may not be strong enough to process solid food, even if it appears hungry; feeding could harm or even be fatal to the bird. Having food in its system may also preclude certain medical procedures that the bird may need.
FOURTH – Please keep the bird, in a warm , dark, and quiet environment until it can be transported to the Medical Clinic.
Please note: The Avian Medical Clinic is not equipped to treat ducks, geese, or songbirds.
Night Heron Rookery in White Point Garden
White Point Garden or “the Battery” on the peninsula of Charleston is home to not only a popular, historical park for South Carolina residents and visitors, but also to a Night Heron rookery.
Year after year, the beginning of summer signals the time for the heron chicks to begin fledgling from their nests in White Point Garden. This is a natural developmental stage for young birds but is a period when they are most vulnerable. Fledgling birds begin to explore the world outside of their nest with their first attempt at flight. Often, however, they need several days to learn the basics of flight. During this time, they may end up on the ground, but will typically make their way back to the safety of the trees and bushes if given the opportunity.
Please note these species are more active at night and will be more willing to move around with the cover of darkness, especially if the park is crowded. Therefore, please give them space and safety by leaving them alone to find cover until dusk/evening hours.
For the herons at White Point Garden this can be risky given all the daily human and dog/pet activity. We ask that you help us spread the word about this rookery and please encourage family, friends, and fellow patrons of the park to give the young birds some space as they continue to learn and grow through this critical time in their development.
If any of the fledglings appear to be injured, please immediately call the Avian Medical Clinic for assistance 843.971.7474 extension #1.
