Barn Swallow nestlings © Alex Shure

Barn Swallow nestlings © Alex Shure

When yous come across a helpless-looking baby bird out of its nest, it's hard to resist the overpowering urge to come to the rescue.

→ Simply almost of the fourth dimension it'due south all-time to do naught. ←

Many birds that people try to rescue are still being cared for past their parents (even if yous tin can't see them) and should exist left alone.

Here's a primer on when to accept action for songbirds (babe ducks or geese require a dissimilar approach); when in incertitude, contact a licensed wild fauna rehabilitator.

Found a baby bird?

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Assess for Injury

The first thing to do when you find a infant songbird is to figure out if information technology'southward injured. Baby birds tin naturally look weak, but if you see blood or other obvious damage, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

You should also call a rehabilitator if y'all know a cat attacked a bird; felines transmit mortiferous bacterial infections with even mild scratches.

Determine Historic period

Baby birds go through three stages:

  • Hatchling (usually 0-3 days erstwhile). It hasn't nonetheless opened its eyes, and may have wisps of down on its torso. It's not ready to leave the nest.
  • Nestling (usually iii-xiii days old). Its eyes are open up, and its wing feathers may look like tubes because they've notwithstanding to break through their protective sheaths. It'south also not ready to leave the nest.
  • Fledgling (xiii-xiv days erstwhile or older). This bird is fully feathered. Its wings and tail may exist short, and it may not exist a great flyer, but it can walk, hop, or flutter. It has left the nest, though its parents may be nearby, taking skilful care of information technology.

Aid Hatchlings and Nestlings

Baby bird with eggs in nest © Wendy Barrett, Mass Audubon

© Wendy Barrett, Mass Audubon

If you find a hatchling or a nestling on the ground and you tin see its nest, yous should try to safely return it. Contrary to popular belief, birds practise not have a well-adult sense of odour. Therefore, the parents won't know if a young bird has been touched by people and volition not abandon their young.

If in that location's no nest, you can make 1 by fastening a container to a branch. A small basket is ideal, just you can employ a plastic container such as a margarine tub and dial holes through the bottom. Sides should be no higher than 4 inches. Cut 2 pieces of wire to 18-inch lengths and thread them up through the bottom of the container and down over again. Securely wire it to the top of a branch in the same tree or shrub every bit the nest, and line the container with dry grass. Place the bird inside the handbasket.

Give Fledglings Room to Abound

If you find a fledgling, the best course of action is to get out information technology alone. As bad-mannered equally a fledgling bird may look, this is natural stage, and the parents are most likely nearby, hunting for food and keeping watch. If the bird's in immediate danger, you lot tin can put information technology in a nearby bush-league or tree.

Don't Raise Baby Birds Yourself

It'due south illegal to bring a baby bird abode and effort to enhance it. About young birds won't survive if cared for by well meaning only inexperienced people. Those that do survive will be at a disadvantage. They'll have missed important lessons that they would have learned from their parents, such every bit how to observe food and water in the wild and how to avoid predators.

Protect Baby Birds from Cats

While all birds are threatened by outdoor cats, baby birds are especially vulnerable. Birds should never be removed from the wild to protect them from cats or other predators. If in that location is a baby bird on the basis and a true cat nearby, put the cat indoors until the bird is able to wing. If the cat belongs to a neighbor, enquire the possessor to remove the cat or, when the owner is not known, spray the true cat with water to encourage it to leave the property.

Birds and the Law

Birds are protected by federal laws under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918 every bit well every bit past Massachusetts state laws. Unless y'all're a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, it's illegal to keep wild birds in your possession. The only exceptions are not-native species: Business firm Sparrows, European Starlings, and Pigeons.