CONWAY — As spring continues to bloom and birds migrate back toward the region, folks should remember to leave bird rehabilitation and rescues to professional, permitted wildlife rehabilitators.

Local experts and the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) urge anyone who comes across what looks to be a helpless or injured animal to leave it alone and call a wildlife rehabilitator, as caring for wild animals is a difficult job and, if done improperly, can negatively affect their development.

“They think they’re doing the right thing and they’re not,” Tom Ricardi, a raptor rehabilitator with the Conway-based Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center, said of people picking up birds. “The first thing I would suggest is leave it alone. … If they think there’s a problem, [Mass] Audubon or MassWildlife … they’ll make the decision whether that bird or animal should be taken or left alone.”

Ricardi said he’s picked up several birds in the last few weeks and is now caring for about 60 at his facility, where he rehabilitates owls, eagles, hawks, falcons and other birds of prey. In the case of owls, he tells people that if they see one on the ground, they should wait to see if it is still there the next morning.

“Ninety percent of the time they never call back,” he said of those who report the owls. “When a bird’s learning to fly, it ends up on the ground.”

If a baby bird looks helpless, MassWildlife recommends trying to return it to its nest or creating an artificial nest. If people find a fledgling — a young, fully feathered bird — it should be left alone as it is likely learning to fly. The same also applies beyond birds, as human interference in early stages of life can cause the animal to grow attached to people, which can in turn cause these wild animals to wander into populated areas where they could be attacked by domestic animals, hit by vehicles or pose a danger to people.

“Well-meaning people who take young animals out of the wild are actually harming the animals’ chances of becoming normal adults,” MassWildlife states. “Animals that are taken by people and later released into the wild are at a disadvantage, as they lack the skills needed to find natural food and cover.”

MassWildlife keeps a database of wildlife rehabilitators and their phone numbers that people can call if they find an injured animal. Rehabilitators volunteer their time and services and are not compensated by the state for their work. If they are unable to answer a call, leave a message and they will return it as soon as they are able to.

In Franklin County, Ricardi specializes in birds of prey and is authorized for migratory bird rehabilitation. Julie Anne Collier of Wingmasters in Leverett also specializes in birds of prey and is authorized for migratory bird rehabilitation. There are also a handful of mammal rehabilitators located around the county and in the North Quabbin region.

The map, as well as additional information about wildlife rehabilitation, can be accessed on MassWildlife’s website at bit.ly/4dFUVH4.

Chris Larabee can be reached at [email protected].