I FOUND A BABY BIRD
Determine if the baby bird is a nestling or a fledgling.
Fledgling: no need to intervene, as these birds will continue to hop out of the nest and start their independence! Their parents are usually nearby watching. Observe from a distance.
Nestling: sparsely feathered and incapable of hopping, walking or flitting, these baby birds will need some assistance. The nest is probably nearby. If you can find the nest, quickly and carefully return the baby bird to its home. Parent birds do not recognize their young by smell. Contrary to popular belief, they will not abandon the baby if it has been touched by humans.
A wildlife rehabilitator can assist in unique circumstances that jeopardize the livelihood of the baby bird.
Fledgling: no need to intervene, as these birds will continue to hop out of the nest and start their independence! Their parents are usually nearby watching. Observe from a distance.
Nestling: sparsely feathered and incapable of hopping, walking or flitting, these baby birds will need some assistance. The nest is probably nearby. If you can find the nest, quickly and carefully return the baby bird to its home. Parent birds do not recognize their young by smell. Contrary to popular belief, they will not abandon the baby if it has been touched by humans.
A wildlife rehabilitator can assist in unique circumstances that jeopardize the livelihood of the baby bird.
In the spring when baby birds are hatching and the parents are flying to and from the nest to feed their chicks, sometimes one or more of the chicks fall out, especially when they are first learning how to fly. The parents will be aware that their chick has fallen from the nest and they will continue to feed and take care of it until it learns how to fly better. Do not touch or disturb these sensitive fledglings! Learning to fly is a process for young birds, they don’t leave the nest as perfect fliers, falling is a normal part of this process.
If a healthy baby bird that has just fallen from the nest is handed over to a wildlife rehabilitator, you may be doing more harm than good. Baby birds are demanding and have unique needs that are not always able to be met by the rehabilitator, so your best option is to leave the bird alone and let the parents take care of it. Only registered wildlife rehabilitators can legally raise and take care of birds, so do not attempt to do so on your own.
For more information on what to do if you find a baby bird, check out All About Birds, the National Audubon and the USFWS
Determine if the baby bird is a nestling or a fledgling.
Fledgling: no need to intervene, as these birds will continue to hop out of the nest and start their independence! Their parents are usually nearby watching. Observe from a distance.
Nestling: sparsely feathered and incapable of hopping, walking or flitting, these baby birds will need some assistance. The nest is probably nearby. If you can find the nest, quickly and carefully return the baby bird to its home. Parent birds do not recognize their young by smell. Contrary to popular belief, they will not abandon the baby if it has been touched by humans.
A wildlife rehabilitator can assist in unique circumstances that jeopardize the livelihood of the baby bird.
If a healthy baby bird that has just fallen from the nest is handed over to a wildlife rehabilitator, you may be doing more harm than good. Baby birds are demanding and have unique needs that are not always able to be met by the rehabilitator, so your best option is to leave the bird alone and let the parents take care of it. Only registered wildlife rehabilitators can legally raise and take care of birds, so do not attempt to do so on your own.
For more information on what to do if you find a baby bird, check out All About Birds, the National Audubon and the USFWS
Determine if the baby bird is a nestling or a fledgling.
Fledgling: no need to intervene, as these birds will continue to hop out of the nest and start their independence! Their parents are usually nearby watching. Observe from a distance.
Nestling: sparsely feathered and incapable of hopping, walking or flitting, these baby birds will need some assistance. The nest is probably nearby. If you can find the nest, quickly and carefully return the baby bird to its home. Parent birds do not recognize their young by smell. Contrary to popular belief, they will not abandon the baby if it has been touched by humans.
A wildlife rehabilitator can assist in unique circumstances that jeopardize the livelihood of the baby bird.
