Here’s what to do and not to do when you find a bird or other animal that seems abandoned

Baby birds like this Purple Martin that seem abandoned often are not. Photo by Stephanie Galea/The Connecticut Audubon Society

May, June and July are the months when people often find and report “abandoned” or “orphaned” birds and other animals.

We’ve put those words in quotes intentionally because birds and other wildlife that seem to be abandoned or orphaned at this time of year often are not actually abandoned or orphaned.

The Connecticut DEEP has advice about what to do if you find a bird that you think is abandoned. There are several alternatives.

Click here to learn about them.

Please do not bring injured or orphaned animals to any Connecticut Audubon Society facility. Connecticut Audubon is not authorized to accept injured or abandoned animals.

But if it is obviously injured, it may need help. The CT DEEP has more information here about dealing with distressed wildlife.