Baby Birds

 Baby Birds

During the early spring and summer months, it's common to find baby birds that have fallen out of their nests. The best thing a person can do is return the nestling to its nest. A nestling is a baby bird covered in down and may not have feathers at all. Contrary to popular myth, touching or handling a baby bird will NOT discourage its parent from returning.

It is not uncommon for babies to fall from nests during high winds, heavy rains, or if the nest has been disturbed. Be sure to check the ground for other fallen birds.

Sometimes nestlings fall or jump or are pushed out of their nest too soon because they are starting to move around and their nest gets crowded. They need to be returned to their nest until they are fledglings, which takes a few days.

If the nest is inaccessible from the ground, you can improvise a nest by placing paper towels or old towels in a basket or shallow bucket and either hanging it by a branch, or placing it in a stable crook in the tree.  Try to place the basket/bucket as high as possible so predators can't access the birds.

Many times fledglings are also found on the ground below their nest.  Fledglings are primarily covered in feathers, but may still have some down.  They can have short tail feathers, or they may be completely filled out, looking like their adult parents.  These birds have left their nest and they are learning to fly.

Birds learn to fly from the ground up, therefore they will be intentionally kicked out of their nests by their parents, or stumble out on their own.  They stay “grounded” up to 7 days, hopping, stumbling, and flapping their wings.   Much like a baby learning to walk, this is a process that birds endure when learning to fly. 

For additional information on baby birds, please contact Greenwood Rehabilitation Sanctuary.

Last Updated on Friday, 07 September 2012 12:21