The young of most bird species are referred to as chicks or nestlings. After hatching from their eggs, baby birds are completely dependent on their parents for food, warmth, and protection.
Hatchlings
Newly hatched birds are called hatchlings or chicks. Their bodies are not fully developed, so they do not yet have feathers and their eyes are closed. Hatchlings are born with an egg tooth, which is a sharp bump on their beak used to break out of the eggshell. They use their egg tooth to pip through the eggshell and take their first breath of air. The egg tooth falls off a few days after hatching once it is no longer needed.
Hatchlings are covered in down, which are short fluffy feathers that provide insulation to keep them warm. Down feathers are not waterproof like adult feathers, so baby birds need to be brooded by their parents to maintain their body temperature. Parent birds sit on top of their hatchlings and spread their wings out over them like a blanket.
Newly hatched birds have undeveloped digestive systems. Parent birds initially feed hatchlings by regurgitating food into their mouths. As they grow, chicks are able to digest more complex foods on their own.
Nestlings
The term nestling refers to a young bird that has hatched but is still too young to leave the nest. Nestlings are entirely dependent on their parents for food, warmth, and protection. The length of the nestling stage varies by species. Small songbirds like finches may only nestle for 2 weeks before fledging, while large birds like hawks can remain nestlings for 6-10 weeks.
Nestling birds have their eyes open but have not yet developed flight feathers on their wings. Their bodies are covered in downy feathers that keep them insulated but are not waterproof. Nestlings have very limited mobility and remain in the nest where their parents feed them.
As they grow, nestlings develop pinfeathers, which have a blood supply. The blood supply delivers nutrients that are used to grow the developing flight feathers. Nestlings test out wing flapping as their feathers grow in. Parents may linger near the nest to discourage predators.
Fledglings
Once a young bird has developed enough to acquire its flight feathers and leave the nest, it is known as a fledgling. The age at which birds fledge depends on the species. Smaller birds tend to fledge faster, while large birds take longer to mature.
Fledglings have a mix of adult feathers and downy baby feathers. Their wings are not yet fully developed, so they cannot fly long distances. Fledglings hop from branch to branch clumsily, often with tails bobbing, as they learn to fly short distances from tree to tree.
Parent birds continue to care for and feed their fledglings. Having the young birds leave the nest is dangerous but necessary for them to continue developing flying skills to reach independence. Fledglings are very vulnerable to predators at this stage.
Fledgling Stage Length by Species
Bird Species | Fledgling Stage Length |
---|---|
Chickadees | 16-18 days |
Finches | 14-17 days |
Robins | 14-16 days |
Cardinals | 9-15 days |
Crows | 30-45 days |
Hawks | 35-70 days |
Eagles | 70-98 days |
Owls | 5-7 weeks |
Identifying Nestlings and Fledglings
It can be tricky to identify the stage of development of a young bird. Here are some tips:
- Check feather development – Nestlings have downy feathers or pinfeathers without fully formed wings. Fledglings have a mix of adult and baby feathers with enough wing growth for clumsy flight.
- Look at their mobility – Nestlings remain in the nest with limited movement. Fledglings hop from branch to branch outside the nest.
- Watch for parental interaction – Parents continue to feed and care for fledglings unable to fly long distances.
- Notice vocalizations – Nestlings make frequent loud noises and gaping mouths to solicit food. Fledglings make softer frequent calls to communicate with parents.
Developmental Stages
All young birds go through a similar series of developmental stages:
- Hatchling (1-3 days old) – Have egg tooth for hatching, eyes closed, no feathers
- Nestling (4 days – 2 weeks) – Eyes open, covered in down, undeveloped wings, confined to nest
- Branching (2-4 weeks) – Hopping out of nest onto branches under watch of parents
- Fledgling (2 weeks – 2 months) – Mix of down and feathers, able to fly short distances, still dependent on parents
- Juvenile (1-3 months) – Fully feathered, honing flight skills, less reliance on parents
- Immature (3 months – 1 year) – Resemble adults, may still migrate with parents and return to nest
- Adult (1+ years) – Sexual maturity, full adult plumage, behavioral patterns
Of course, the exact length of these stages depends on the species. Larger birds like eagles and hawks take much longer to fully mature than smaller birds. But this gives a general overview of the early life stages of development common to most bird species.
Caring for Young Birds
Baby birds found fallen from the nest often appear helpless. But please do not attempt to rescue them! Parent birds are likely nearby watching over them. Here are some tips if you find a fledgling on the ground:
- Leave it be if possible – The parents are still feeding it and it will likely fly soon
- Don’t assume it’s injured – Fledglings spend lots of time on the ground while learning to fly
- Return to the nest if uninjured – If possible, place it back in the nest if it fell out
- Contact wildlife rehabilitator – Only intervene if injured or definitely orphaned
- Monitor from a distance – Watch for signs of parental care before intervening
It’s normal to feel concerned about a vulnerable baby bird. But resisting the urge to intervene gives the fledgling its best chance at surviving and developing independence!
Ways to Identify Baby Birds
Identifying whether a young bird is a nestling or fledgling can be challenging. Here are some tips:
1. Check feather development
Nestlings have soft downy feathers or pinfeathers without fully formed wings and tails. Fledglings have a mix of adult and baby feathers, with enough wing feathers for clumsy flight.
2. Assess mobility
Nestlings stay in the nest, with limited ability to move around. Fledglings can hop from branch to branch outside the nest.
3. Observe parental interaction
Parents bring food to nestlings in the nest. Fledglings follow parents and beg noisily for food.
4. Notice vocalizations
Nestlings chirp loudly with mouths agape. Fledglings make frequent, softer contact calls.
5. Check age and size
Hatchlings under 5 days old have closed eyes. Nestlings are mostly featherless and grow rapidly. Fledglings are up to adult size but less coordinated.
With close observation, you can determine whether a baby bird is a helpless nestling or fledgling gaining independence!
Mobile Fledglings Still Need Parental Care
Even though fledglings are out of the nest, it is important not to interfere with them. Here’s why:
- Fledglings are still developing flight skills and cannot fly long distances.
- Their feathers provide some insulation, but they rely on parents to fully regulate temperature.
- Parents still provide most of their food as the fledglings are learning to self-feed.
- Fledglings lack full anti-predator behaviors and awareness of dangers.
A fledgling on the ground alone is normal. The parents are likely nearby, watching over it closely. So unless the bird is clearly injured, have patience and avoid intervening!
Normal Fledgling Behaviors
Here are some common fledgling behaviors that are normal and not cause for concern:
- Hopping from branch to branch instead of flying
- Fluttering weakly or awkwardly between tree limbs
- Spending lots of time on the ground resting or following parents
- Making frequent contact calls and demanding food from parents
- Appearing disheveled as they learn to preen adult feathers
Fledglings can look unwell but be perfectly healthy as they develop. Give them space and let the parents care for them! Avoid intervening unless you confirm the parents are gone or the bird is injured.
What to Do if You Find a Grounded Fledgling
Follow these steps if you find a fledgling on the ground:
- Stop – Pause and observe from a distance. Are parents nearby continuing to care for it?
- Monitor – Check back periodically to see if parents are feeding it. Listen for begging calls.
- Reunite – If possible, carefully return an uninjured fledgling to a low branch or shrub near the area.
- Call for help – Contact a wildlife rehabilitator if the bird is injured or clearly orphaned.
- Avoiding interfering – Fledglings out of the nest are natural. Have patience rather than immediately “rescuing.”
With caution and care, you can protect a fledgling’s chances of surviving and thriving on its own in the wild.
Providing Temporary Care to Fledglings
If intervention is required to help an injured or orphaned fledgling, follow these rules:
- Get advice from a wildlife rehabilitator – Have an expert assess whether care is truly needed.
- Follow local regulations – Laws protect native birds. Get permits if keeping any wild animal.
- Set up a simple housing – Use a breathable box or carrier with soft bedding.
- Make sure it’s warm – Place a heating pad under half the enclosure.
- Check for dehydration – Rehydrate with oral electrolytes if needed.
- Offer appropriate foods – Feed softened high-protein foods like insect meal, eggs, or wet cat food.
- Avoid overhandling – Minimize contact to prevent habituation and stress.
- Get guidance on release – Successfully returning it to the wild requires planning.
With proper permits and care under expert guidance, temporary rescue can give fledglings a second chance.
Summary of Young Bird Developmental Stages
Here are the key stages of growth and development in most young birds:
- Egg – Fertilized eggs are incubated to hatching
- Hatchling – Newly hatched from egg, eyes closed, no feathers
- Nestling – Covered in down, undeveloped wings, confined to nest
- Fledgling – Mix of adult and baby feathers, able to fly short distances
- Juvenile – Fully feathered, honing flight skills, some independence
- Immature – Resemble adults, may migrate with parents
- Adult – Sexual maturity, full adult plumage and behaviors
The length of development in each stage depends on the bird species. But all young birds undergo a similar sequence as they grow and reach independence!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are baby birds called?
Baby birds have several common names depending on their stage of development. Newly hatched birds are called hatchlings or chicks. Featherless young still in the nest are nestlings. Fledglings are juvenile birds that have acquired wing feathers and left the nest.
How long do baby birds stay in the nest?
The nestling stage when birds remain in the nest varies significantly by species. Small songbirds may fledge in 2 weeks, while large birds like eagles nestle for 2-3 months. The timing depends on how quickly they mature and develop flight capabilities.
What do you feed baby wild birds?
Young wild birds have specialized diets depending on their species and age. Nestlings require regurgitated foods from parents. Fledglings can be fed high-protein softened foods like egg, insect meal, or wet cat/dog food under the guidance of a wildlife rehabilitator.
How do you take care of a baby bird?
Baby birds are best cared for by their parents in the wild. But orphaned or injured nestlings/fledglings require a warm, secure enclosure, hydration, and nutritional foods high in protein. Care should be temporary with the goal of releasing birds back into the wild.
When should you help a baby bird on the ground?
Fledglings on the ground alone are likely receiving parental care. Only intervene if the bird is clearly injured or you confirm the parents are gone. Place uninjured birds near trees and monitor from a distance.
Conclusion
In summary, there are distinct developmental stages as young birds mature from hatching to adulthood. New hatchlings are called chicks. Downy nestlings remain in the nest where parents provide food and warmth. Once fledged, juvenile birds develop flying skills under parental supervision. With the right care and time to grow, young birds can successfully transition to independence in the wild!