If you find an injured bird of prey, keep your distance and call a qualified wildlife rehabilitator, veterinarian, or wildlife agency for instructions. Keep children and pets away; don’t feed, water, treat, or try to handle the bird. For a live eagle, federal guidance is especially clear: “Do not approach or try to handle the eagle yourself.”
What to do first
- Give the bird space. Move children and pets away. Watch from a safe distance; do not crowd, chase, or surround it. Raptors can cause serious injuries when handled by someone who is not trained. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) says to leave injured, sick, or orphaned raptors where you find them. Its federal eagle handbook specifically warns: “Do not approach or try to handle the eagle yourself.” USFWS: Eagles and Raptors · USFWS Eagle Handling and Distribution Handbook
- Look for signs of injury without touching it. From a safe distance, note obvious bleeding, a visible broken limb, shivering, or immediate danger such as traffic. Do not assume a bird is injured just because it is on the ground.
- Call for professional advice promptly. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator who handles raptors, a veterinarian, or your local or state wildlife agency. Tell them the bird’s location, what you can see, and whether it is in immediate danger. Ask whether they can take that species and what you should do next.
- Don’t give food or water or attempt treatment. Do not medicate, treat, or try to raise the bird. An inappropriate type or amount of food can worsen its condition. Follow the professional’s instructions. American Eagle Foundation: What to Do If You Find an Injured Eagle
- Transport only if a professional advises it. Call the receiving facility before setting out. Do not attempt to retrieve or disentangle a bird if doing so could injure you or cause the bird more harm; ask whether a rehabilitator can come to the scene. For eagles, leave handling to trained professionals. If a qualified responder instructs you to contain and transport another raptor, follow their directions; specialist guidance recommends a ventilated container and a quiet place away from children and pets.
Is a bird of prey on the ground injured?
Not necessarily. A hawk may stay on the ground while eating prey or roadkill too heavy to carry. If you see no clear injury or signs of illness and the bird is not in immediate danger, keep your distance and observe rather than attempting a rescue. If you are unsure, phone a rehabilitator or wildlife agency and describe what you see. USFWS: What to Do If You Find an Injured, Orphaned, or Abandoned Wild Animal · North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission: Hawks
What if it is a young bird?
A feathered, mobile young bird may be a fledgling whose parents are nearby and still caring for it. USFWS advises giving fledglings space. Watch from a distance rather than picking the bird up. Visible injury, bleeding, shivering, or a deceased parent may indicate that an animal needs help; for an uncertain raptor, call a rehabilitator or wildlife agency instead of attempting a rescue. USFWS: What to Do If You Find an Injured, Orphaned, or Abandoned Wild Animal
How to find the right local help
Use the USFWS migratory-bird rehabilitation facility map or check your state conservation agency’s current rehabilitator list. The American Eagle Foundation also maintains a directory of state wildlife departments, rehabilitators, and raptor centers, but its page says it was last updated November 9, 2018. Treat it as a starting point and confirm contact details and intake availability directly. No single nationwide phone number is established by these sources.
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- Made from strong durable ABS plastic with ventilation for airflow.
- Easy open latched door provides quick access.
- Smooth interior makes for easy cleaning, or wipe down.
- Handle makes carrying and transport a breeze.
- Interior perch allows for stability while in transit.
When you call, confirm that the organization is licensed or permitted as required locally, accepts the species, can advise on your specific situation, and is available to respond or receive the bird. Call before transporting it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why you should not keep or rehabilitate the bird yourself
Wildlife rehabilitation and possession are regulated, and the requirements depend on the state, species, and circumstances. USFWS says most states require permits or licenses, training, and approved facilities; some species, including most birds, also require federal permits. North Carolina’s wildlife agency, for example, says possession of native hawks or their parts requires state and federal permits. That specific rule is not a nationwide legal summary. Ask your state wildlife agency or a permitted rehabilitator for instructions that apply where you are. USFWS guidance · North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission: Hawks
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Made to fit the Leatherman Raptor Rescue only; it does not fit the Raptor Response
- Spring-loaded locking belt clip fits 1.5 in, 1.75 in, and 2 in wide belts and is MOLLE compatible
- Adjustable retention: loosen or tighten the Phillips screws on the side of the holster to fine-tune how firmly it holds the shears
- Holster body is 3D-printed from impact-resistant polymer; slim, lightweight, and rigid so it holds its shape
- Ambidextrous design for right- or left-side carry on duty belts, work belts, or MOLLE gear; holster only, shears sold separately
Rank #4
- Made to fit the Leatherman Raptor Rescue only; it does not fit the Raptor Response
- Spring-loaded locking belt clip fits 1.5 in, 1.75 in, and 2 in wide belts and is MOLLE compatible
- Adjustable retention: loosen or tighten the Phillips screws on the side of the holster to fine-tune how firmly it holds the shears
- Holster body is 3D-printed from impact-resistant polymer; slim, lightweight, and rigid so it holds its shape
- Ambidextrous design for right- or left-side carry on duty belts, work belts, or MOLLE gear; holster only, shears sold separately
Rank #3
- Made to fit the Leatherman Raptor Rescue only; it does not fit the Raptor Response
- Spring-loaded locking belt clip fits 1.5 in, 1.75 in, and 2 in wide belts and is MOLLE compatible
- Adjustable retention: loosen or tighten the Phillips screws on the side of the holster to fine-tune how firmly it holds the shears
- Holster body is 3D-printed from impact-resistant polymer; slim, lightweight, and rigid so it holds its shape
- Ambidextrous design for right- or left-side carry on duty belts, work belts, or MOLLE gear; holster only, shears sold separately
Rank #2
- Made to fit the Leatherman Raptor Rescue only; it does not fit the Raptor Response
- Spring-loaded locking belt clip fits 1.5 in, 1.75 in, and 2 in wide belts and is MOLLE compatible
- Adjustable retention: loosen or tighten the Phillips screws on the side of the holster to fine-tune how firmly it holds the shears
- Holster body is 3D-printed from impact-resistant polymer; slim, lightweight, and rigid so it holds its shape
- Ambidextrous design for right- or left-side carry on duty belts, work belts, or MOLLE gear; holster only, shears sold separately
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
