Bird and Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers
Have you found a baby bird on the ground, an injured bird, or hurt animal? Denver Audubon does not rehabilitate animals or birds, but we do recommend several centers.
I FOUND A BABY BIRD
Baby birds survive best when their parents raise them. If you find a baby bird that is fully feathered, the best action you can take is to watch and wait for the adult birds to return. However, there are a couple of situations when a human should help out. To determine if the bird you found needs assistance, check out these resources:
I FOUND AN INJURED BIRD OR ANIMAL
Injured wildlife need special care and special food. Injured birds may be bleeding, lying on the ground, have lack of balance or inability to fly, uneven drooping wings, or have feathers coated with sticky or oily substance. If you find an injured bird, do not attempt to give them food or fluids, please leave that to an expert rehabilitator. The Denver area has multiple rehabilitation centers. Here are a few that we have experience with and recommend.
GREENWOOD WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTER
Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is devoted to the rehabilitation and release of orphaned, injured, and sick wildlife. They are the largest wildlife rehabilitation center treating mammals, birds, and waterfowl in Colorado. They are not permitted to care for bats, skunks, rattlesnakes, mammals larger than coyotes, or birds of prey, but they may be able to advise the public on situations that involve these animals.
BIRDS OF PREY FOUNDATION
Since 1981 the Birds of Prey Foundation has accepted thousands of birds. Specialized round-the-clock care and large flight areas enable hundreds of these magnificent raptors to enjoy a second chance at freedom every year. The Birds of Prey Foundation specializes in raptors such as eagles, hawks, falcons, owls and osprey. They also accept vultures, pelicans, herons, egrets, ravens, and other native bird species.
NATURE'S EDUCATORS
Nature’s Educators is an educational wildlife organization based in Sedalia, Colorado. They are licensed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service to care for non releasable birds of prey, and they are now licensed by Colorado Parks & Wildlife as a rehabilitation facility focusing on songbirds and raptors. There is an intake fee to help cover costs of rehabilitation.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Here are some other resources that may be useful:
- Wildlife rehabilitators are permitted by Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Find a complete list of permitted facilities on their website.
- Animal Help Now is a “911” service for animals when you encounter a wildlife emergency or conflict.