In the event you need to rescue a sick or injured adult bird, please be prepared to take safety measures to ensure the bird does not injure you.  

The fastest, safest way to capture a biting bird (the size of a goose, loon, or duck) is to throw a towel or blanket over it.  Many times, when a rescue is warranted, the general public does not have the equipment (such as nets, gloves, safety glasses and carriers) needed to take care of the job, but a towel or blanket will serve the purpose of this specialized equipment.  

In the event that neither of these items are available, especially with large biting and/or pecking birds, it is necessary to firmly grab the beak of the frightened and injured party.  

The bird will react by twisting and flapping its wings trying to free itself.  Immediately restrain the wings, being careful not let go of the beak under any circumstance, as you could easily get struck in the eye.  Quickly place the bird in a football hold until you can place it in a readily available box for transport to a rehabilitator.  

The general public should not attempt to perform this technique without detailed instruction from a wildlife rehabber and should not attempt it until they have confidence in their ability to restrain the bird without injury to themselves.  

To see how quickly an injured bird can bite, view the short video clip below:

To keep the beak shut, use Vet tape or any easily removable tape such as surgical tape.  Do not use other tapes which cannot be easily removed.

Below Dr. Laura Wade restrains the beak of a Great Blue Heron: