Helping Baby Birds / A.R.K.

Helping Baby Birds

Sometimes spring storms or predators cause damage to nests and you might find a baby bird in need of help. First, look around for the nest in the nearest tree or shrub and look for parents nearby. You may see them swooping over you or giving out distress cries. Birds can not return their babies to their nest. If you see a nest and can reach it, quickly return the baby to it and leave.

Wildlife Tip: The only time we recommend bringing in a baby bird is if you KNOW the mother is dead or if the baby is injured. The natural parents do a much better job of raising their young than we could ever do. A baby bird that is featherless must be fed every 20-30 minutes from sunup to sundown. This is why we want the parents to do the raising of their young!

Naked Babies

If it is a naked baby (with no feathers) and you can not get it to the original nest you must take it immediately to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator (see: Tips to keep the baby warm). They can not keep themselves warm without feathers and will die quickly without help.

Nestlings

If the baby is fully feathered but still needs to be in its nest and the nest is destroyed or out of reach, make an artificial nest from a berry box, a plastic hanging planter, or even a plastic margarine tub. Punch holes in the bottom for drainage first. Line the box with dry dead grass (green grass will become cold and wet in the nest --- do not use green grass). Carefully place the bird in the container and hang it in a nearby tree or shrub at least 3 feet off the ground. Stay back, out of sight, and wait for the parents to return. It will call to its mother. Seventy five percent of the time the mother will return to the young. It is important to give them ample time to return, as the baby stands a much better chance of survival if raised by its parent and not by humans. If no parent returns in an hour, take the baby to licensed wildlife rehabilitator (see: Tips on Transporting Wild Animals). If you can not transport the baby within an hour, call the center for advice on how to temporarily feed the baby. unlike most other baby animals, young birds need to eat frequently.

Fledglings

Fledgling birds are young birds, fully feathered, just leaving the nest. They need to learn how to fly and forage for food. This takes time, and the fledgling is vulnerable to cats, dogs, and well-meaning people. Fledglings flutter and hop, and can jump to low branches. We get many calls about "injured" birds that are actually fledglings who would fine on their own. People get confused because fledglins are not the size of adult birds (or close to it). One sign that a bird is a fledgling, and not injured, is that its parents are often around. If a bird is swooping toward you and/or making distress calls, it is probably the fledgling's parent protecting its young. Tis is a great sign, and means the baby is fine! The best thing to do if you see a fledgling is to keep your dog, cat, and small children inside until the bird has learned to fly. This only takes a few days.

Baby Raptors (hawks, owls, falcons, eagles)

A raptor is a bird of prey, with sharp talons and a curved beak. Even young raptors can be hard to handle, so take extreme caution when helping. First, as with all baby animals, look for the parents. If they are nearby they might swoop over you, trying to protect their baby, and you could get injured. Fledglings may sit on the ground and be fed by their parents for a few days, so observe for some time before deciding what to do. Call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for advice before picking up the baby, unless it looks very weak, sick, or injured. Never pick up an injured raptor with your bare hands. Their talons are very sharp. Use a towel or blanket and gloves (see: Tips on Transporting Wild Animals).

Ducklings, Goslings, and Other Water Birds

Young water birds can not survive on their own until they are fully feathered. If a duckling is found alone, the best thing to do is search for the parent and other youngsters and try to reunite them. If the parents can not be located, take the baby to a licensed center (see: Tips on Transporting Wild Animals).

	Association to Rescue Kritters
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