It’s that time of year when baby birds start leaving the nest. You might find a fledgling on the ground, looking helpless and unable to fly. Your first instinct may be to pick it up and put it back in the nest. But is that the right thing to do? In this article, we’ll go over when you should and shouldn’t intervene to help a baby bird.
Is the bird injured?
The first question to ask is: Is the baby bird injured in any way? Look for signs of injury like bleeding, wings drooping unevenly, or legs that appear broken. If you see any of those signs, the bird needs professional help. Contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center for advice. Never try to treat injuries yourself.
If the bird has no visible injuries, it may be a fledgling learning to fly. Fledglings are young birds that have left the nest, but still can’t fly perfectly yet. Their parents are still feeding and watching them. It’s normal to see fledglings hopping around on the ground looking for food and shelter. The parents know exactly where the baby is. As long as the fledgling looks healthy, and there are no dangers around, you should leave it alone.
Is the bird feathered?
Birds that are partly feathered (a mix of fluffy baby down and adult feathers) are fledglings. A completely bare baby bird likely fell out of the nest too young. It needs help. Make sure the nest didn’t fall too – check for it on the ground or low branches. If you find the nest, you can scoop up the bird and place it back inside. Observe from a distance to see if the parents return to care for it.
If the nest is missing or unreachable, contact a wildlife rehabilitator right away. Don’t try to create a new nest or care for the bird yourself. Only licensed specialists have the proper training and resources to nurture baby birds.
When to intervene
There are certain scenarios where you should always intervene to rescue a baby bird:
– The bird is trapped, injured or weak (can’t hop or flutter wings normally)
– A nest with babies has fallen out of a tree or bush
– You find a baby bird alone at night, without parents nearby
– A baby bird feels cold to the touch (needs warming up)
– Severe weather is approaching and the bird is exposed
– There are dangerous predators in the area like cats, raccoons, etc.
Use gloves or a towel to gently pick up fallen or injured birds if their safety is at risk. Get them in a ventilated box and immediately call a local wildlife rehabilitation center to ask for assistance. Don’t try to care for the bird yourself – they have very specific nutritional and housing needs.
When to leave baby birds alone
It’s best not to interfere with a baby bird if all of these conditions are met:
– The bird has most of its feathers and is hopping around energetically.
– The parents are nearby, continuing to care for it. Listen for them calling.
– There are no immediate threats in the environment (predators, cars, etc).
– The bird does not appear visibly sick, injured or weak.
Additionally, never try to “rescue” a baby bird for the following reasons:
– You mistakenly think it’s abandoned (parents are usually just off looking for food, not far away)
– You want to keep it as a pet (illegal and unethical!)
– Its nest location is unsafe or inconvenient for you (babies should stay with parents)
– It looks cute and you want to play with it or take photos (causes stress for wild birds!)
Let nature take its course if the bird has a good chance of surviving on its own. Interfering when not necessary can do more harm than good.
Signs a baby bird needs help
Here are some common signs that a baby bird needs assistance:
– Visible injuries like broken bones or bleeding
– Bald or almost featherless (may have fallen from nest too young)
– Constant shivering (needs external warmth)
– Not moving or extremely lethargic
– Eyes, nostrils or beak caked with discharge
– No parents responding to its calls for feeding
– Trapped or unable to escape predators
If you observe any of these warning signs, contain the bird and call a wildlife rehabilitator right away. Do not try DIY rescue measures like feeding it, housing it yourself, or applying home remedies. Let the experts assess and treat the situation.
How to rescue an imperiled baby bird
When you determine a baby bird needs help, follow these steps:
1. Wear thick gloves to pick it up to avoid pecking and scratching.
2. Gently place inside a ventilated container or cardboard box with air holes. Line with a soft cloth.
3. Keep it in a warm, quiet, dark place away from pets, children and noise.
4. Do not try to feed it. This risks aspiration pneumonia.
5. Call wildlife rehabilitators in your area and describe the situation. Follow their instructions.
6. Keep the bird in a container until you can take it to the facility or a rehabilitator picks it up from you.
7. Never let cats or dogs near the container, as they can fatally stress birds or injure them.
With the proper regulations and care, you can give an imperiled baby bird its best chance of survival. But always involve wildlife experts instead of intervening yourself unless absolutely necessary.
Can I give a baby bird food or water?
It’s best not to give any food or water to a baby bird. Here’s why:
– Baby birds need very specific diets depending on species and age. Wrong foods can be deadly.
– They have sensitive digestive systems. Sudden new foods can cause dangerous diarrhea.
– The wrong consistency or size of food can choke baby birds or fill their airways.
– Water can easily get into their lungs, leading to aspiration pneumonia.
– Unclean food or water dishes can make them sick.
– Stress from handling can cause regurgitation or choking.
– You may mistakenly identify the type of bird and feed it incorrectly.
The only exception is if you’re specifically instructed to hydrate a dehydrated bird by a wildlife rehabilitator. Otherwise, always wait for the experts to avoid accidentally harming it. Don’t worry – baby birds are fed very often by their parents, so short waits won’t starve them.
Dangers baby birds face
Baby birds are very vulnerable during the nesting period. Here are some key perils they face:
– Falling or getting knocked out of nests before they can fly
– Predation from cats, raccoons, foxes and snakes
– Exposure to severe weather like cold, heat, rain or wind
– Attacks from aggressive birds defending territory
– Collision injuries from cars, windows or buildings
– Health issues like malnutrition, infections, parasites
– Irritation from environmental toxins like pesticides, oil
– Disturbance by loud machinery or tree removal
– Nest destruction from landscape maintenance like mowing, pruning, construction
– Pet disturbances like dogs climbing trees or cats stalking nests
– Human interference, both intentional (poaching) and accidental
– Getting trapped in man-made structures and debris
– Starvation if parents are killed or nest sites are disrupted
The combination of natural predators and man-made hazards makes for low baby bird survival odds. If you find one in trouble, be its lifeline by arranging prompt wildlife rescue.
Can you get fined for helping baby birds?
In the U.S., the Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibits possessing any birds or their parts, including feathers, eggs or nests. This applies to both live and deceased birds. However, there are no fines for good Samaritans that temporarily possess birds for transport to rehabilitators.
Here are some key allowances and prohibitions:
Allowed to save baby birds:
– Touching or picking up a baby bird you find in trouble in order to rescue it.
– Temporarily possessing an endangered baby bird strictly for transport to a wildlife rehabilitator within 24 hours.
– Taking in feathers you find naturally shed on the ground.
Prohibited actions:
– Keeping, housing, feeding or attempting to care for endangered baby birds yourself.
– Holding a bird in captivity for over 24 hours (must transfer to rehabilitator ASAP).
– Possessing any parts of migratory birds, including feathers, eggs, or nests taken directly from them.
So in summary – you can legally and temporarily handle or contain endangered baby birds to bring them to wildlife rescue professionals. But you cannot keep them as pets, feed them, or permanently possess any parts. Fines can range from $500 to $2000 depending on the severity and type of violation.
Signs baby birds need help
Here are some common signs that a baby bird needs assistance:
– Visible injuries like broken bones or bleeding
– Bald or almost featherless (may have fallen from nest too young)
– Constant shivering (needs external warmth)
– Not moving or extremely lethargic
– Eyes, nostrils or beak caked with discharge
– No parents responding to its calls for feeding
– Trapped or unable to escape predators
If you observe any of these warning signs, contain the bird and call a wildlife rehabilitator right away. Do not try DIY rescue measures like feeding it, housing it yourself, or applying home remedies. Let the experts assess and treat the situation.
How to rescue an imperiled baby bird
When you determine a baby bird needs help, follow these steps:
1. Wear thick gloves to pick it up to avoid pecking and scratching.
2. Gently place inside a ventilated container or cardboard box with air holes. Line with a soft cloth.
3. Keep it in a warm, quiet, dark place away from pets, children and noise.
4. Do not try to feed it. This risks aspiration pneumonia.
5. Call wildlife rehabilitators in your area and describe the situation. Follow their instructions.
6. Keep the bird in a container until you can take it to the facility or a rehabilitator picks it up from you.
7. Never let cats or dogs near the container, as they can fatally stress birds or injure them.
With the proper regulations and care, you can give an imperiled baby bird its best chance of survival. But always involve wildlife experts instead of intervening yourself unless absolutely necessary.
What to feed baby birds
It’s best to leave feeding baby birds to wildlife rehabilitators. But in an emergency where you must supply food, here are some options:
– Mealworms – high in protein, widely accepted.
– Crushed dog or cat kibble – nutritionally balanced.
– Raw lean ground meat – beef, chicken, turkey.
– Diced hard boiled eggs – remove shell.
– Puréed fruits – berries, mangoes, papayas, melons.
– Baby bird formulas – specially made powder mixes.
Methods:
– Use a sterile tweezer, dropper or syringe to place small portions in the mouth.
– Ensure food is warm or room temp, not too hot.
– Feed only enough to fill the crop. Overfeeding can be fatal.
– Stop immediately if the bird chokes, regurgitates or resists.
Key rules:
– No cow’s milk – can cause digestive upset.
– No bread or crackers – can swell in the crop.
– No feeding babies with eyes closed – they require professional care.
– No catching wild bugs – introduces dangerous bacteria.
– Transition slowly to new foods over a few days.
Again, only feed baby birds in true emergencies under a rehabber’s guidance. Raising them yourself is very challenging and often unsuccessful.
How to tell a baby bird’s age
Determining the approximate age of a baby bird can help assess its needs and chances of survival. Here are some clues:
New hatchlings (0-5 days old):
– Eyes closed, no down
– Wrinkly pink skin, bulbous abdomen
– Completely dependent on parents
Nestlings (5 days to 2 weeks):
– Eyes opening, sparse down growing
– Beg parents for food by peeping
– Cannot thermoregulate or perch
Fledglings (2 weeks to leaving nest):
– Mostly feathered, with short tails
– Start voluntarily leaving nest
– Can walk, hop branches, flap wings
– Parents still provide some feedings
Flying (Nest departure to independence):
– Fully feathered and similar size to adults
– Capable of sustained flight
– Forage on own but parents monitor
– Call loudly and conspicuously
Knowing roughly how old a baby is helps match care to its level of development. Very young nestlings need intensive professional rehabilitation. Older fledglings may just need temporary shelter while they learn to thrive outside the nest.
Risks of letting cats outside
Pet cats allowed outdoors pose a severe threat to baby birds and other local wildlife. Here are some key risks:
– Cats are natural hunters with quick reflexes, able to seize adults and babies.
– Their jaws contain dangerous bacteria that rapidly infect bird wounds.
– A single cat can depredate hundreds of birds in a year.
– Nestlings and fledglings on the ground are unable to escape cat attacks.
– Cats can climb trees to steal chicks from nests high up.
– Even well-fed cats will instinctively hunt and kill, not just for food.
– Belled collars are ineffective – cats learn to stalk silently.
– Birds have no innate fear of cats and cannot outrun them.
– Caught birds are often tortured for play, leaving them injured.
– Cats spread diseases like toxoplasmosis to local bird populations.
The only way to protect baby birds from feline predation is keeping pet cats permanently indoors. Support conservation efforts to save birds from extinction due to cats.
How to make a makeshift bird nest
If you find a fallen baby bird nest, you may need to create a temporary replacement while bringing the chicks to a wildlife rehabilitator. Here are some tips:
Materials:
– Shallow basket, hanging planter or dish 2″-4″ deep
– Soft rags, paper towels or tissues
– Dry grass, loose leaves, pine needles
– Mud, optionally (seals materials together)
Instructions:
– Line the bottom with 2-3″ of soft padding material.
– Shape a concave basin in the center to cradle chicks.
– Fill sides with 1-2″ of weaveable natural materials.
– Optional: Apply mud around edges to blend materials.
– Ensure no sides are higher than 1.5″ (prevents toppling).
– Attach nest securely to original site or nearby tree/ledge.
– Monitor to ensure parents can access nest to continue feeding.
Ideally return babies to original nest. If not possible, a makeshift habitat can give parents continued access temporarily while arranging rehab. Handle chicks as little as possible and keep their environment stable.
How to find a wildlife rehabilitator
When you rescue an injured or orphaned baby bird, the next vital step is getting it to a wildlife rehabilitator. Here are some ways to find one in your region:
– Search the National Wildlife Rehabilitator Association directory.
– Call your state Wildlife Agency hotline for referrals.
– Look for rehab organization websites in your county or city.
– Search for wildlife rescue or rehab on Facebook – regional networks often post.
– Check with veterinarians, animal shelters and wildlife sanctuaries nearby.
– Ask neighbors who may have used one successfully before.
– Look for signs posted at nature preserves and parks.
Key tips:
– Reach out to multiple rehabbers to ensure quickest response.
– Confirm they specialize in and are permitted to treat wild birds.
– Ensure they have space and are currently accepting new cases.
– Keep their contact info saved on your phone for future rescues.
Having a go-to wildlife rehabilitator makes getting urgent baby bird aid a streamlined process. But don’t wait – move quickly to get injured chicks secure care within hours for the best outcome. Timeliness is critical!
Dangers of keeping wild baby birds
Even with good intentions, keeping and raising orphaned or injured wild birds can cause serious harm. Here are some key dangers:
– Baby birds have extremely demanding, specialized care needs. Improper housing, feeding and support is often fatal.
– They require feeding every 15-20 minutes from dawn to dusk. This is an enormous commitment of time and lost sleep.
– Feeding baby birds is fraught with risk of aspiration leading to pneumonia.
– Nestlings have undeveloped immune systems and are prone to infections.
– They can carry parasites, fungi or diseases transmittable to humans.
– Stressing wild animals by removing them from their natural environment can cause chronic health issues.
– Habituation to humans as babies impedes their release back to the wild as adults.
– Permit laws generally prohibit capturing and keeping native wildlife. You may face stiff fines.
– Even if you manage to keep a baby bird alive, chances are very high it will die or become non-releasable due to imprinting or poor health.
The only circumstance where possessing a baby bird is justified is during emergency transport to licensed wildlife rehabilitators. They have the training and resources to give the birds proper supportive care and eventual release.
How to find fledglings’ nests
When you find a fledgling on the ground, it’s best to try to locate its original nest and return it if possible. Here are some tips to find hidden nests:
– Look in bushes, shrubs, or trees within around 50 feet of where you found the bird. Many don’t wander far from the nest initially.
– Check for nests up to 10 feet off the ground. Baby songbirds typically nest at low to mid-heights.
– Watch the areas adult birds seem most protective of when you are nearby. Their behavior can indicate site of nest.
– Note where you see parent birds coming and going with food in their beaks. It may lead you to the right spot.
– Follow any loud chirping sounds the baby bird makes. Siblings may chirp back from inside the nest.
– Look for clues like small twigs, branches, leaves deliberately woven together, or tufts of down feathers caught on branches.
– See if you notice nesting items falling from a particular location as adult birds fly in and out.
– Be sure to respect nature and minimize disturbances – don’t dismantle or tamper with nests.
Locating the original nest is ideal to return fledglings promptly. But if all else fails, a substitute artificial nest or wildlife rehabilitator intervention may be needed.
How to safely rescue baby birds from cats
If you find a cat biting, clawing or toying with a baby bird, you’ll need to rescue it without getting hurt yourself. Here are some tips:
– Approach calmly to avoid startling the cat into aggression or causing injury to the bird.
– Make noise like whistling or saying “No kitty!” to divert the cat’s focus.
– Toss a safe, distracting object like a toy or stick to lure the cat away momentarily.
– If indoors, use a loud hand clap to startle the cat into releasing the bird.
– Gently scoop up the bird with a towel or thick gloves. Keep away from the cat.
– Secure the cat indoors before assessing the bird’s condition away from the danger zone.
– Check for wounds, bleeding or broken bones. Call a wildlife rehabilitator if injured.
– If unharmed, return fledglings outdoors near the area you found them. Monitor from a distance.
– Ensure the cat stays indoors for the remainder of the day to prevent recurrence.
With quick reflexes, you can intervene and save imperiled baby birds from deadly feline attacks. But prevention is key – keep pet cats inside to protect local wildlife.
Conclusion
Saving the life of an endangered baby bird can be deeply rewarding. With proper care not to disturb healthy fledglings, plus swift intervention when rehabilitation is truly needed, good Samaritans can make all the difference. Always put the bird’s well-being first and enlist wildlife experts whenever possible. With education and quick action, our communities can help defenseless birds survive and thrive. Remember that while rescue is sometimes needed, the best outcome is leaving babies wild and free.
