What to do about baby bird found in my front yard?
March 31, 2010 by
Filed under Concrete Bird Baths
My girlfriend was walking up our walkway and found a baby bird just sitting on the grass right next to the concrete. It’s probably only a couple weeks old, give or take. While we were outside we found 2 different nests and don’t know if we should put it in the nests, leave it be, or to try and take care of it.
What should we do? Also, the parents were chirping and flying around outside, but we’re not sure if they know he’s there or what? Any help is appreciated =]
The best thing to do is put it back in its nest.
Taking care of it would become an all day event since they need to feed almost constantly.
When I was a kid, my parents told me to leave it because if I touch it the parents will abandon the whole nest, which was completely false.
What I did was went to the animal shelter and asked them.they said that thay said the would talk them.try it!
Make a nest for it. Watch it for a while make sure no cats or any danger happens to it. Day by day feed it bird seeds or something similar and give it water. When it starts to fly it’s on its own.
If its too young to fly then pick a nest and put it in there, the parents will come take care of it no matter what. If it’s barley able to fly then its a fledgling and they always end up on the ground while their learning to fly. The parents are watching close by. It’ll be flying in a couple of days. Sadly this is when cats see an easy opportunity but the parents will try to protect it. Good luck.
Dont touch it! If you heard or saw the parents, leave it alone. When a chick falls from a nest in the wild, the parents will still feed and defend it, even if its in the open. Wild birds have an instict, and it will proberbly go and take cover some where to protect its self from the elements, and any nearby predators. I know its hard, and you proberly feel helpless, but touching the chick will force the parents to leave the chick. this is because once the chick has your sent, the mother will kill or neglect the chick. also, if you put it in the nest, the mother will also kill or leave all other chicks in the nest, as your sent will be passed from chick to chick. In saying this, if you defenetly know where its nest is, put some gloves on, eg gardening gloves, and rub them in the nearby dirt. after doing this, you can them place the chick back, this is becuase the mother will only smell the earth, and the chick/chicks wont be left or killed. Hope this helps!
According to the Wildlife Center in Roseville Minnesota http://www.wrcmn.org/?id=3
Please review the diagram on this website page I have linked to, to determine if the bird is an orphan, or a bird learning to fly (a fledgling). If the bird is an orphan, try to find its nest, or bring the bird to the Center. If a fledgling, leave the bird alone and ensure it is safe from harm.
Wildlife Myths
Top Myth: Animal/bird parents will reject offspring if it has been handled by a human.
Fact: Most birds can not smell. Go ahead and place the young back in the nest, but please limit contact.
Myth: My pet is just playing with another animal.
Fact: Your pet is a predator and will injure or kill animals. Keep your pet indoors whenever possible and keep it leashed when outdoors.
Myth: Wild animals like to be petted and consoled just like dogs and cats.
Fact: They are very frightened of you and your contact with them creates a great deal of stress. In addition, handling wild animals is a bad idea because they can carry diseases.
If it has feathers then it is a fledgling and belongs out of the nest and will live on ground for a few days until learns to fly. Parents will take care of it. Will not matter if you have touched it. If the parents are making a fuss they want you away from it as they see you as a predator. If it has no feathers look in the other nest and see if it looks the same and put in that one. If not then can make a nest out of cool whip bowl and punch small holes in bottom for drainage and line with tissue and tack up near the two nests. The parents will respond to the cries and take care of. Good luck.
If the bird is fully feathered, it is most likely a fledgling and has left the nest on it’s own and it’s parents are caring for it. It is normal for birds to leave the nest before they can fly. You need to replace it where you found it..preferably in a scrub or tree so it is relatively safe from predators, and the parents should come back to feed it. If it is unfeathered…then look for a nest and if you can find it…replace it into the nest. Do not worry about your scent being on the chick..birds have a very poorly developed sense of smell and will NOT reject a baby that has been touched. If you cannot find a nest, get the bird to a local wildlife rehab for it’s best chance of survival. Also, keep in mind, it is illegal for you to try and raise this bird on your own. Look for a rehab here:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm