Caring for an orphaned or injured bird is not an easy task and should be left to people who know how to do it best. This page outlines steps to be taken so that the bird has a chance for survival while you wait for assistance from a qualified wildlife rehabilitator.
Spring opens a whole new world of entertaining activity in your yard. It is a time for our backyards to come alive with families of wild birds. Spring is also a time when you may find an orphaned bird. Although it is not a common occurrence, finding a baby bird raises an important question -- "What should I do to help the wayward young?" The answer, in most cases, is nothing.
Most baby birds do not need to be rescued, so it is important to determine if the bird is truly orphaned. Fledglings usually are on the ground because they are learning to fly and by "rescuing" them, you are, in fact, disrupting the natural course of events. In order to determine if a baby bird is truly orphaned, you may need to watch for the return of the mother or father bird from a concealed location for at least two or three hours. One of the biggest concerns is the baby bird's safety. If the baby bird is not in direct dangerof predators, it may be better off being left on the ground.
If you re sure that you have found an orphaned bird, a wildlife rehabilitator should be called to care for the bird. Baby birds are difficult to care for and require much more attention than any household pet. In fact, according to federal wildlife law, it is illegal to have a wild bird, even an orphan, in your possession unless you are a licensed rehabilitator. The staff at Wild Birds Unlimited® can provide the phone number of a local rehabilitator and can also answer any questions you have while you wait for the rehabilitator to contact you.
In most cases, the baby bird should be left on the ground. However, if you find a baby bird on the ground that is in danger of being attacked by a predator, try to locate the nest. If at all possible, return the baby bird to the nest. Birds do not have a true sense of smell, so the myth that birds will reject a baby bird if touched by a human is not true. However, human touch does make it easier for a predator -- cat, raccoon, etc. to find a baby bird.
If it becomes absolutely necessary to care for a truly orphaned bird temporarily, the following steps can be taken to keep the bird alive while you wait for a wildlife rehabilitator:
If a nest cannot be located, the first important step is to provide the baby bird with warmth. A heating pad set on low heat, a hot water bottle or even hot water in a glass bottle, wrapped in a towel so it is warm to the touch, will do.
Baby birds do not support themselves very well. You will need to create a nest-like environment so the baby bird has a place to rest its head. The "nest" helps support the bird's body while feeding. The nest needs to be kept clean, so create it out of something easy to clean -- like plastic berry boxes -- and have tissue ready to clean up waste sacs. Rough paper towels are a good choice for lining the "nest." Paper, cotton and cloth can catch easily in the bird's toenails, so avoid using these materials. Also, keep in mind that grass clippings should not be used because they are damp and cold aginst baby bodies.
Since it is best not to feed baby birds, the rehabilitator can instruct you about the next steps to take.
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