What to do if you find a baby bird on the ground?

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If you discover a baby bird on the ground, resist the urge to immediately intervene. The most crucial thing is to assess the situation: Is it a nestling (featherless or mostly featherless) or a fledgling (mostly feathered)? If it’s a fledgling and appears healthy, it’s likely learning to fly and its parents are nearby.

Understanding the Situation: Nestlings vs. Fledglings

Before you consider intervening with a baby bird you find on the ground, it’s crucial to understand the different developmental stages of young birds. Misidentification can lead to unnecessary interference that could harm the bird.

Nestlings: These are very young birds that are still heavily reliant on their parents. They are typically featherless or have only a few downy feathers. Nestlings cannot hop or fly and are entirely dependent on their parents for food and warmth. If you find a nestling on the ground, it has likely fallen from its nest.
Fledglings: These are older baby birds that are almost ready to fly. They are mostly covered in feathers, though they may still have some downy patches. Fledglings can hop, flutter, and even fly short distances. They often leave the nest before they are fully capable of sustained flight, spending time on the ground while their parents continue to feed and care for them.

Distinguishing between a nestling and a fledgling is the first step in deciding what to do if you find a baby bird on the ground?

Step-by-Step Guide: Assessing the Situation

Observe from a distance: Before approaching the bird, watch it from a distance to assess its condition and behavior. Are its parents nearby? Is it injured?
Identify the type of bird: Determine whether the bird is a nestling or a fledgling based on its feather development and ability to move.
Check for injuries: Look for any obvious signs of injury, such as broken wings, bleeding, or difficulty breathing.
Locate the nest: If the bird is a nestling, try to find its nest. If you can find it, carefully place the nestling back inside.

Re-nesting Nestlings: A Delicate Operation

If you’ve determined the bird is a nestling and you can locate its nest, the best course of action is to return it. Despite common myths, birds have a poor sense of smell and will not abandon their young simply because a human has touched them.

Here are the steps for re-nesting a nestling:

Locate the nest: Look for a nest in nearby trees or shrubs.
Wear gloves: Although parent birds won’t reject their young because of human scent, it is always recommended to use clean gloves to avoid transmitting any human illnesses.
Gently place the nestling in the nest: Be careful not to damage the nest or disturb the other birds.
Observe from a distance: Watch the nest from a safe distance to ensure the parents return to feed the nestling.

If you cannot find the nest, create a temporary nest using a small container lined with soft materials, such as paper towels or dry grass. Place the container in a safe location, such as a tree branch or shrub, as close as possible to where you found the bird. This is only a temporary measure until you can reach a wildlife rehabilitator.

Leaving Fledglings Alone: The Best Course of Action

Generally, the best thing what to do if you find a baby bird on the ground? is to leave fledgling birds alone. Their parents are usually nearby, continuing to care for them as they learn to fly. Interfering with a fledgling can disrupt this natural process.

Here are some exceptions:

Immediate danger: If the fledgling is in immediate danger, such as in a busy street or near a predator, move it to a safer location nearby.
Obvious injury: If the fledgling is clearly injured, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
Signs of neglect: If the fledgling appears weak, malnourished, or consistently unattended by its parents, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

When to Contact a Wildlife Rehabilitator

Knowing what to do if you find a baby bird on the ground? sometimes means knowing when not to act alone. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator if:

The bird is clearly injured.
You are unable to locate the nest and re-nest a nestling.
The fledgling is in immediate danger and you cannot move it to a safe location.
The bird appears sick, weak, or malnourished.
The bird is being consistently ignored by its parents.

Wildlife rehabilitators are trained and equipped to provide the specialized care that injured or orphaned birds need.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming the bird is orphaned: Many people mistakenly assume that a baby bird on the ground has been abandoned by its parents. In most cases, the parents are nearby and continuing to care for the bird.
Feeding the bird inappropriate food: Giving a baby bird the wrong food can be harmful or even fatal. Only wildlife rehabilitators should handle the bird’s food.
Trying to raise the bird yourself: Raising a wild bird requires specialized knowledge and resources. It is illegal in most places to possess a wild bird without a permit.
Keeping the bird as a pet: Wild birds are not pets. They belong in the wild and should be released back into their natural habitat as soon as they are able to survive on their own.
Using the wrong type of nest box: Make sure you use a bird house or nest box intended for the species in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I can’t find the baby bird’s nest?

If you can’t find the nest, create a temporary nest by lining a small container (like a berry basket or margarine tub) with soft materials like grass or paper towels. Secure it as close to the original location as possible, out of direct sunlight and away from predators. This gives the parents a chance to find it. If the parents don’t return within a couple of hours, contact a wildlife rehabilitator.

Is it true that the mother bird will abandon the baby if I touch it?

This is a common myth. Birds have a very poor sense of smell, so the scent of humans will not cause them to abandon their young. It’s perfectly safe to gently handle a baby bird to return it to its nest or move it to a safer location.

What should I feed a baby bird if I find one?

Never feed a baby bird. Providing the wrong food can be harmful or even fatal. Baby birds have very specific dietary needs that vary depending on the species. Only a licensed wildlife rehabilitator is equipped to provide the appropriate nutrition.

How long do baby birds stay in the nest?

The length of time baby birds spend in the nest varies greatly depending on the species. Some birds, like robins, fledge in about two weeks, while others stay in the nest for much longer. A good field guide can provide species-specific information.

What if the baby bird is injured?

If the bird is visibly injured (e.g., broken wing, bleeding), immediately contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Do not attempt to treat the injury yourself. The rehabilitator will be able to assess the extent of the injury and provide the appropriate medical care.

How can I tell if a fledgling is really abandoned?

It’s rare for fledglings to be truly abandoned. Parents usually stay close by and continue to feed them as they learn to fly. If you observe the bird for several hours and never see a parent return, or if the bird appears weak and lethargic, it may be in trouble and warrant a call to a rehabilitator.

Are there any legal considerations when handling wild birds?

Yes. In most places, it is illegal to possess or care for wild birds without a permit. This is to protect the birds and prevent the spread of disease. If you find a bird that needs help, the best thing to do is to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, who has the necessary permits and expertise.

What should I do if I find a baby bird on my property and I have pets?

Keep your pets away from the area where you found the bird. Even well-behaved pets can pose a threat to vulnerable baby birds. Supervise your pets closely when they are outside.

How can I prevent birds from nesting in undesirable locations on my property?

To prevent birds from nesting in unwanted locations, take preventative measures before nesting season begins. This might include blocking access to potential nesting sites, such as chimneys or vents, or providing alternative nesting options, such as birdhouses, in more desirable locations.

What is a ‘wildlife rehabilitator,’ and how do I find one?

A wildlife rehabilitator is a trained and licensed professional who cares for injured, sick, or orphaned wild animals with the goal of releasing them back into their natural habitat. You can find a wildlife rehabilitator by searching online, contacting your local animal control agency, or contacting your state’s fish and wildlife agency.

What are some signs that a baby bird needs help beyond what I can provide?

Aside from obvious injuries, signs of distress in a baby bird include lethargy, weakness, difficulty breathing, being covered in parasites (like mites), or being consistently ignored by its parents. If you observe any of these signs, contact a wildlife rehabilitator.

Why is it important to leave fledglings alone, even if they seem vulnerable?

Fledglings are at a crucial stage of development, learning essential survival skills from their parents. Interfering with this process can disrupt their learning and reduce their chances of survival. While they may seem vulnerable, their parents are usually nearby, providing food and protection. Knowing what to do if you find a baby bird on the ground? includes knowing when NOT to intervene.