Found a Baby Songbird?
Nestlings:
If a baby bird that is not completely covered in feathers is found on the ground, it’s probably a nestling. It is a myth that they cannot be handled because the mothers will abandon them due to human scent, however it is still advisable to have as little contact as possible with a wild animal and wear gloves when possible.
If you know where the nest is you can put the baby bird back in and hope that the parents come back.
If the bird is completely abandoned, call us and we’ll do our best to nurse it to adulthood.
Fledglings:
Sometimes nestlings fall from the nest prematurely, however this is rare. More commonly, as they are ready to fledge and begin to learn to fly, they will leave the nest and can be found on the ground or in low shrubbery. This period is part of the fledging process. The adults are usually close by continuing to tend them by bringing them food and protecting them from disturbance as they learn to fly and build the strength to do it. Placing them back in the nest, if it can be found, will just result in them leaving it again.
The best approach is to leave them alone, or to place them someplace secure nearby where the adults can find them by the young's calls. Pets, especially cats, should be kept away or inside for a few days until the young bird is capable of strong flight.
