First the care,
then the air.

Providing care for injured, ill, and orphaned native songbirds since 1993.

Help! I found a bird!

Wild Bird Rehabilitation
is the primary organization
in the State of Missouri
solely devoted to the care of songbirds.

Our mission is to ensure the survival of native songbirds through professional medical care and education regarding their value and needs. We also provide public education regarding the humane treatment of wild songbirds and the conservation of their habitat.

Our Story

  • The Beginning

    Established in 1993 by Carol Kershner, Wild Bird Rehabilitation began operations in a 1200 square foot facility on Big Bend Blvd in Crestwood.

  • Our Nest

    In 2005, WBR moved to its current home on Midland Blvd in Overland. This location provided a larger facility and an area to be used as an aviary for birds to transition to the outdoors prior to their return to the wild.

  • Taking Flight

    During the first year of operation, WBR handled over 500 birds and 1,000 phone calls from the public. Last year WBR cared for more than 2300 birds representing over 100 different songbird species.

  • Spreading our Wings

    WBR receives referrals from St. Louis city, county and state animal agencies as well as many veterinarians and other animal welfare organizations. Native songbirds cared for here are under federal protection as a result of the Migratory Bird Treaty and caring for these birds as a licensed rehabilitator requires both federal and state permits.

    Meet the Team

  • Our Flock

    Wild Bird Rehabilitation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt organization. We receive no federal or state funding and are supported totally by donations from individuals, corporations and fundraisers. WBR is staffed primarily by volunteers who donate their time to help area birds.

    Interested in Donating?

  • What's Next?

    As WBR continues to grow and expand, we are always looking for more volunteers to help us care for our small patients! You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up-to-date on what’s new here at our hospital.

    Volunteer with Us!

Help! I found a bird!

This information is to help you identify the problem, not necessarily resolve it. It is always our goal to avoid separating a bird from its family and/or native habitat. But in some cases this cannot be avoided. If the bird is sick or injured (such as bleeding, broken wing, etc.) it will always be necessary to bring the bird to Wild Bird Rehabilitation for treatment.

  • Hours: 9am-5pm, 7 Days a Week
    Phone: 314.426.6400
    Address: 9624 Midland Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63114

  • If you need to transport a bird to our clinic:

    • A shoe box with air holes in the lid and lined with a small paper towel works for most songbirds.

    • Do not give the bird food or water.

    • Handle the bird as little as possible.

    • Our address is: 9624 Midland Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63114

    WBR does NOT pick up, patrol, or dispatch staff or volunteers off-site.

  • Visit the National Wildlife Rehabilitator's Association or Animal Help Now to find a resource near you.

  • Check out this page for further wildlife resources, including other local wildlife facilities and assistance with identifying birds and plants.

  • Please look at this chart to determine next steps.

  • If the bird is caught in something such as twine, string, or some type of garden mesh that restricts its ability to move and fly, have someone assist you while you slowly and carefully free the bird.

    Please call us to discuss the next steps at 314.426.6400.

  • If the bird allows you to catch it and does not attempt to fly away, place the bird in a small box with a lid or a brown paper bag that can be fastened at the top. Line with paper towels for cushioning.

    Please call us to discuss the next steps at 314.426.6400.

  • Use a small amount of corn meal to neutralize the sticky surface and to help avoid further injury.

    Please call us to discuss the next steps at 314.426.6400.

  • If the egg was knocked out of a nest by the wind:

    • If you are able to locate the nest, gently replace the egg.

    • If you are unable to locate the nest, place the egg under a small shrub or bush.

    • Do NOT try to incubate. It is against the law.

    • Lock all pets away.

    • Darken room by closing blinds, shades and doors.

    • Leave open one exit -- large, bright and sunny -- for the bird to safely fly out.

    • If the above attempts are unsuccessful, call us at 314.426.6400 to get contact information for humane licensed wildlife control companies.

  • Please call us at 314.426.6400 to discuss any of the following:

    • If a feathered bird allows you to pick it up.

    • If a bird is fluffed and lethargic.

    • If a bird flies a short distance and falls to the ground.

Join our team of volunteers!

Did you know?

WBR admits over 2,000 birds each year! It takes 80 - 100 volunteers to keep our facility going strong. Caring for our feathered friends is extremely rewarding. You can expect to learn, have fun, and — most importantly — make a difference!

There are many ways to help:

  • Work Directly With the Birds: Feeding + Cleaning Cages

  • Aviary Assistance + Bird Release

  • Medical / ER Assistance

  • Remote Phone Team

  • Clerical + Front Desk

  • PR: Fundraising, Publicity, Social Media

  • Grant Writing

  • Education/Outreach: Open House, Booths, etc.

  • Gardening

  • Facility Maintenance

No prior experience or specific bird knowledge is required. We have a great training program and will teach you all that you need to know!

Meet the Team

Briana Conley

Bio coming soon!

Favorite Songbird: Grackle (Though it’s always changing as she meets more!)

Executive Director

Abi Vang

After working in animal welfare for over a decade, including veterinary care, shelter administration, marketing, & media management, and program management for an assistance dog program, Abi is thrilled to work among wildlife and to serve Missouri’s native songbirds that she grew up adoring and photographing. Outside of WBR, you’ll find Abi traveling to new places with her husband and two Australian Cattle Dogs, behind the camera shooting weddings and other events for her photography business, thrifting/antiquing, or simply relaxing at home with a coffee and a book.

Favorite Songbird: Grackle…but really, any bird with a spooky (or silly) aura!

Volunteer + Events Manager

A retired paralegal, Diane has been involved with Wild Bird Rehabilitation for over 27 years. Her first rescued bird was a house finch, and ever since she began volunteering, she fell head over heels in love and has dedicated herself to helping each and every bird that’s come through our doors.

Favorite Songbird: The bird that she’s helping at that moment!

Board President

Diane Doster

Tom Feiner

Board Vice President

Bio coming soon!

Board of Directors

Debbie Benoit

Debbie is a retired lawyer who has been a volunteer at Wild Bird Rehab since 2017.

Favorite Songbird: Blue Jays — they’re beautiful and smart (a winning combination)!

Board of Directors

Stacey Schaeffer, DVM

Bio coming soon!

Brett currently serves in the Missouri Army National Guard and brings that same dedication to his 15-year career with BMO U.S. He’s proudly celebrating 16 years of marriage, and life is full and fun with their two boys and three dogs. He’s happy to support wild bird rehabilitation efforts, and is driven by service, family, and making a positive impact wherever he can.

Favorite Songbird: Northern Flicker

Board of Directors

Brett Millecker

Lauren Richter

Avian Technician

Lauren is most often found in WBR’s medical area (also known as “AR”). She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Science and Management with an emphasis in fisheries and wildlife, along with a minor in Captive Wildlife Management. One of her biggest passions at WBR is sprucing up our patients’ enclosures so that they mimic their life out in the wild — from foraging trays, to cutting fresh foliage, she loves this part of the job!

Favorite Songbird: Barn Swallow

Drew is part of our medical team! He graduated with a BS in Biology on a pre-vet track from Tufts University in 2024, and also studied tropical ecology in Panama for a semester. He has shadowed small animal vets, worked as a veterinary assistant, and interned at Second Chances Wildlife Center, mainly working with hand-reared orphaned squirrels, opossums, raccoons, and skunks. After graduating college, he moved to St. Louis for a 6-month-long internship at World Bird Sanctuary’s raptor hospital. After the internship concluded, Drew then joined our team at WBR!

Favorite Songbird: Common Nighthawk

Avian Technician

Andrew Stein

Alexa Bucks

Avian Technician

Alexa joined our medical team in September 2025! She recently received a BS in Biomedical Sciences with minors in chemistry and microbiology at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, and is now working on her goal of getting into veterinary school to become a veterinarian. Outside of our clinic, Alexa has dogs, cats, sugar gliders, chickens, and fish! She also works with her professor on researching water snakes and their sex attractant pheromones. Whenever she’s not working with animals, she enjoys reading, making art, and taking trips — in fact, the photo of her is when she was at Badlands National Park in South Dakota!

Favorite Songbird: Cedar Waxwing

Thomas Umhofer

Thomas has dreamed of working with birds ever since college, with a newfound passion rooted in rehabilitation. He’s lived in 11 different states in the last 4 years conducting avian field research and rehabilitation, and on top of that, he’s traveled across more than half the country! Whenever he’s not at WBR, Thomas enjoys running, hiking, watching sports, and — of course — birdwatching.

Favorite Songbird: Eastern Phoebe

Avian Technician