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What to do with a wild baby bird?
6 Responses to What to do with a wild baby bird?
You are currently browsing comments. If you would like to return to the full story, you can read the full entry here: “What to do with a wild baby bird?”.
put back in nest or leave alone.
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First of all: is your bird a nestling (naked with possibly shut eyes) or a fledgling (all or partially feathered)?
If it is the latter, and judging from the bird’s behavior, it sounds like it is a fledgling, simply take the bird back outside and leave it where you found it. The bird is learning to fly, and is naturally going to flutter to the ground and surrounding shrubs until it gets it right. Trust me, the parents are nearby and watching its offspring. So please but the bird back out. You can put it on a ledge to keep it away from cats if you wish.
If the bird is a naked fledgling, take it to a professional rescuer. A nestling bird needs to be fed roughly every 15 to 20 minutes, and its time consuming work. I’ve done it before, but its not easy, and you won’t be guaranteed your bird will survive.
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Does the bird look feathered? Or at least with most of the feathers? It’s a fledger, and does not need your help. Baby birds do this for a reason. They are preparing to fly, as their parents still care for them on the ground. Put the bird back where you found it. Thank you.
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I don’t know where you are getting your information – but most of it is WRONG.
If the bird is a fledgling – it does NOT belong in the nest – it belongs on the ground where you found it. Most baby birds leave the nest (fledge) before they can fly. It’s normal, and expected. They don’t leave the nest to escape predators. They leave because once feathered, they are too large to remain in the nest.
Fledglings learn to fly from the ground – not the trees. They will stay on the ground for days before becoming fully flighted. The parents continue to feed them and care for them while they are on the ground.
Please leave the bird alone. Do not put it back in the nest. Leave it on the ground in the exact area where you found it. Place it under a bush, or near other cover and then leave the area completely. The parents will not return if you, or any other threat is within view. They will avoid the chick to protect it.
Please stay away from wildlife and their babies, and if you have pets – keep them indoors.
Do not worry about your scent – that is a myth/lie/wive’s tale. Here is the truth: BIRDS CANNOT SMELL HUMANS. 99.9% of birds have a poor sense of smell. They can’t smell us, and will not reject an egg, chick or nest that has been touched.
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What you read about fledlings is correct. What you read about parents abandoning a chick that has been touched is a myth. Birds have a very poor sense of smell. Simply put the chick back in the bush where you found it then stay away so you don’t scare the parents off.
As for taking it to the shelter the majority of shelters will not care for wildlife an any way. The best will turn the chick over to wildlife rehab but most will euthanize it.
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If the bird is fully feathered, it is most likely a fledgling and has left the nest on it’s own and it’s parents are caring for it. It is normal for birds to leave the nest before they can fly. You need to replace it where you found it..preferably in a scrub or tree so it is relatively safe from predators, and the parents should come back to feed it. If it is unfeathered…then look for a nest and if you can find it…replace it into the nest. Do not worry about your scent being on the chick..birds have a very poorly developed sense of smell and will NOT reject a baby that has been touched. If you cannot find a nest, get the bird to a local wildlife rehab for it’s best chance of survival. Also, keep in mind, it is illegal for you to try and raise this bird on your own. Look for a rehab here:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm
Also, exactly what website told you about touching baby birds causing the parents to abandon it..for the hundreth time ..this is a MYTH. Please info me of the site so I can have that info removed.
me: professional ornithologist (bird biologist)
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