I Found a baby bird. What do I do?

Its springtime, which means people are spending more time outside, walking, hiking, working in the garden and enjoying the weather. It also means our local birds are nesting and raising their young. Inevitably the two will cross paths. A person will stumble upon a helpless baby bird on the ground, peeping anxiously for its mother. The sight of such a small, vulnerable creature tugs at the heart. The instinct of a caring person might be to pick it up and “rescue” it, thinking it is orphaned or abandoned. Sometimes this is the right thing to do. But in many cases, removing the bird may actually constitute ‘avian kidnapping.’ Most often, the parents are likely nearby, waiting for you to leave so that they can continue caring for the baby. So how do you know when a baby bird actually needs to be rescued or when it should be left alone?

Precocial or altricial?

There are two types of baby birds; precocial and altricial. A precocial bird is born covered in fluffy down. It is able to walk and eat on its own shortly after hatching. Think ducklings, baby chicks, poults, etc. Usually these babies will be seen in small groups tagging along after their mothers. Songbirds on the other hand have altricial young, which means they are totally dependent on their parents for food, warmth and nest hygiene. They are born naked or nearly naked with their eyes closed, totally helpless.

Fledgling or nestling?

Altricial young are divided into two groups: fledglings and nestlings. A nestling is an infant bird that cannot fly and does not have all of its feathers. They are usually naked and pink with a small bit of down on the head. Their eyes are usually closed. If you find a bird on the ground in this condition, it is in need of rescue. Locate the nest and return the baby as quickly as possible. If you cannot locate the nest but the parents are nearby, you can put the bird in a small fruit basket or Tupperware container with drainage holes. Line the container with tissue and tie it to a tree or bush high enough off the ground from predators. It is imperative that you make sure the parents come back and feed it within an hour. If they don’t or there is no sign of them, the next step is to get the bird to a licensed wildlife rehab as soon as possible.

A fledgling will have most of its feathers but will spend several days on the ground as it is learning to fly and eat on its own. This is a very dangerous period for the young bird as it is extremely vulnerable to predators, especially non-native animals such as dogs and cats. If you find a fledgling on the ground but the parents are nearby, find a safe branch high enough off the ground from predators and gently place the bird there. It will usually begin peeping to alert the parents of its location. Wait and make sure they return to feed it. If they do not return within an hour or if there are predators in the area, it is time to intervene. If you are not sure if the bird is a nestling or fledgling, you can do a quick test using your finger. If the bird is able to hold onto your finger, it is a fledgling. If it cannot grip your finger it is most likely a nestling.

If you cannot locate the nest or the parents have not returned and you are certain the bird is abandoned, pick it up very gently and examine it for injuries. Look for signs that the bird is in need of immediate care, like visible wounds or blood. An open wound may attract flies or ants in which case the bird needs immediate help. A fledgling that cannot stand or hop may have a leg injury. A shriveled abdominal area could signal dehydration. If the feathers look oily or wet when it hasn’t been raining, it could be a sign of illness. If the bird was brought in or attacked by a cat, it will need immediate help. The bird may not appear visibly injured, however the bacteria in a cat’s saliva is toxic and can cause a fatal infection, resigning the bird to a painful death. It is best to contact a wildlife rehab right away in this case and follow their instructions.

Won’t the mother bird abandon her babies if they have been touched by humans?

No. This is a myth. It was most likely started by well-meaning parents to keep their curious children from disturbing nesting birds. Birds have a very poorly developed sense of smell so it is highly unlikely they can tell a human has handled their young. They are also very attentive parents and will do everything they can to care for their young. There is no need to worry about the babies being abandoned if they must be handled.

Who to contact?

It is best to contact a wildlife rehab center immediately if the bird needs care, or if you are not sure how to proceed upon finding the bird. If you don’t know who your closest wildlife rehab is, call a state wildlife agency, a veterinarian or your local Audubon Society. They should be able to get you in touch with the proper wildlife rehab.

If you find a bird in need of help after hours, it is best to place it in a small box with air holes and bring it inside. Make sure to put it in an area that is quiet and free of traffic. If you have pet birds, keep them FAR away from the wild bird since it is possible for them to contract disease or mites. Once the baby bird is in a safe place, put a heating pad beneath the box and turn it on low. This will keep the bird warm and will slow down its metabolism which will help it survive. Do not try to feed the bird. Hand feeding birds is tricky and is best left to the experts. If the bird is fed improperly, food can get stuck in the bird’s airway and it could aspirate and die. Contact your local wildlife rehab center as soon as possible for instructions on how to proceed.

The best thing for a baby bird is to stay with its parents. They are the ones who will teach it how to find food, how to avoid predators, how to fly and how to be a bird. Humans do not have this capability. Sometimes, however, it is necessary for us to intervene when a young bird is abandoned or in danger. Humankind has interfered with nature for centuries through development, deforestation, pollution, habitat destruction and by releasing non-native predators into the environment. To extend a hand to save a baby bird in need is one small thing we can do in our attempt to restore the balance.

Photo R. A. Arslan