From “I found an injured bird” to “A bird keeps attacking my window! What do I do?” we answer your most common questions here. Content courtesy of South Carolina Audubon
Injured or imperiled birds
1. I found an injured/sick bird what should I do?
If you are on Hilton Head Island or surrounding Beaufort County one option is to call security if you live in a gated community or call the SC DNR at 1-800-922-5341. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has a comprehensive list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators statewide. You can search the rehabilitators by city and county. The SC DNR quick links are provided here as well a national directory of wildlife rescue organizations:
quick link to SC Wildlife Rehabbers – Birds
quick link to SC Wildlife Rehabbers – Birds of Prey
quick link to Animal Help Now – a nationwide directory of wildlife rescue organizations
2. What do I do if I find a baby bird?
3. A bird crashed into my window what do I do?
4. A development or other construction is planned that I know will cause harm to birds. What should I do?
5. I have a finch at my feeder with encrusted eyes. What should I do?
6. There is a nest with eggs or young birds on my property, how do I protect them? Can I move the nest?
7. What would cause a deformed beak?
8. How do I reduce bird collisions with glass?
Bird Nuisances
1. A bird is attacking my window or car, how do I make it stop?
2. What can I do about woodpeckers pecking my house?
3. How do I keep ducks from lounging on my swimming pool deck?
4. How do I discourage gulls from nesting on rooftops?
5. What can I do about sparrow or other birds nesting on my house?
6. How do I get rid of pigeons?
7. What can I do about problem crows in my yard?
8. What do I do about hawks at my feeders?
9. When is it safe to remove nests around buildings?
Banded Birds/Wildlife and Sightings
1. Banded shorebirds : Note the colored bands, flags, and position of each. For example: Yellow band on top left leg, silver band on lower left leg, Red flag on top right leg. Click here to report.
2. Banded Birds: For information on reporting Piping Plovers, click here. Another site to report banded birds that includes Piping Plovers where the other site (#2 above) does not. Click here to report.
3. Swallowtail Kites: Click here to report. Fill out a short form to report sightings.
4. Spawning Horseshoe Crabs: During the spring in SC, you can report spawning horseshoe crabs at the following site: Click here to report
5. Tagged Horseshoe Crabs: If you spot a horseshoe crab with a tag, copy down the number. You can either call the phone number on the tag to report it OR use this online form to report any along the eastern coast.Click here to report a tagged horseshoe crab
6. Diamondback Terrapin Turtles: These are NOT tagged. Just report sighting by 5.Click here to report.
7. Manatees: Report manatee sightings by clicking here. Please remember: NEVER ENCOURAGE MANATEES TO COME TO A DOCK FOR WATER! It is very harmful for the manatees and it is illegal!
8. Stranded or injured Sea Turtles . Please call SC DNR 1-800-922-5431