​Did the bird hit your window or structure?

• Gently place the bird in a box. Place the box in a warm, dark, quiet place. After two hours, open the box. If the bird flies away-great! If it doesn’t, please give us a call and plan for transport. Often times they just need a safe resting spot.
• Is the bird repeating hitting your window? Try drawing your blinds, pulling curtains, or placing window decals on your windows. Often times, they think their reflection is a threat or rival. Buy some window decals here.

Transporting the animal to the shelter:

• Prepare an appropriately-sized cardboard box,  pet kennel, or paper bag. Make sure to provide small holes to allow oxygen flow. Please do not transport in a bird cage.
• Line the carrier with a pillowcase, newspaper, or paper towel.
• Do not put any items, other than substrate, in transport carrier.
• Cover the carrier with a towel to help minimize stress.
• Minimize human contact and stress. Do not talk to animals, cuddle, or pet them.
• When travelling turn off music and drive slow and steady.
• Keep the carrier warm, quiet and place in preferably in darker areas.

Capturing the animal for transport

• Please call us before you attempt to capture large birds of prey (eagles, hawks, owls).
• Cover animal with towel or pillowcase.
• Gently grab the animal and place in the carrier.

Fully Feathered, Short Tail, and Wings (fledgling):

• Visibly injured, lethargic or animal-caught?
  • Babies are in need of rescue
• Has the nest been destroyed?
  • If yes, at this age many baby birds do not stay in the nest. If the parents are nearby, the babies are not in need of rescue
  • If not and the nest is intact, and the parents are around, the babies are not in need of rescue
• Hopping on the ground but not flying or flying awkwardly? Are parents nearby?
  • If yes, there is no need to rescue. They are practicing their flying skills. Exception: Swallows and swifts do not fledge from the nest until they are flighted, if you have found a non-flighted swallow or swift, please call us right away​
  • If no, watch the area for a couple hours to see if parents will return and feed it. If the parents don’t return please give us a call at 206-855-9057.

Birds Hitting Windows

Birds hit windows, especially in the spring during nesting season.  They see shadows in the window and think it is another bird that they must chase from their nesting area.

• Place streamers outside in front of the window so that the movement will scare the bird
• Place silhouettes on the windows (available at our shelter and many feed & bird stores)
• Cover the window from the outside.  If covered from the inside, the bird can still see their shadow
• If the birds are hitting a particular window that has a bird feeder close by, the bird may be protecting the food source.  Move the feeder or add another feeder in a different part of the yard.

Wild Animals Coming Too Close to the House

Food and shelter is what draws animals close to humans.

• Remove all food sources such as open trash cans, compost piles that contain meat, the scent of food on BBQ grills, cat & dog foods, fallen seed from bird feeders and any other food.  Animals’ noses are very sensitive and any food will attract wild animals.
• Be aware that if you feed a wild animal, that animal may also go to your neighbor’s house looking for food.
• Scare the animal. Don’t let wild animals get relaxed around your house. Tough love can save the animal’s life.

For other wildlife problems or questions call West Sound Wildlife Shelter 206-855-9057. The wildlife care staff will be happy to speak to you about nuisance or problem wildlife and concerns.