WILD BABY BIRDS
What should I do if I find a baby bird?
In the spring and summer, it is not unusual to encounter a baby bird on the
ground. The immediate response of a kindhearted human is to take the little
"orphan" home and then try to figure out what to do with it. The intention
of this information document is to assist you in what to do and most importantly,
who can help you.
If the baby appears to be in good condition and too young (a "nestling")
to leave the nest, then the first thing you should attempt to do is locate,
and if possible, return the baby to it's correct nest. The parents will generally
not reject the bird because it has "human" smell on it. A "nestling"
is a bird not yet fully covered by feathers and has some skin showing. It cannot
yet stand on its own.
We human "good Samaritans" have to remember birds naturally look after
their families. Finding a baby on the ground (a "fledgling") is not
always a sign of distress. "Fledgling" birds are fully covered with
feathers even though the wing and tail feathers are still short and partially
encased in sheaths as they continue to grow. Baby birds often hop around the
ground for up to 2 weeks while the parents continue to look after them and until
they learn to fly. Parent birds leave their offspring for brief periods of time
to search for food. If you interfere then, the adults may return to find their
chick has been taken unnecessarily when in fact they were looking after everything
just fine. Human care or rehabilitation is only a substitute. Parental care
is by far the best for a baby bird. Careful and patient observation of the young
bird will prevent unnecessary separation of families or "bird-napping".
What are the signs of an abandoned baby bird or one in need of medical
attention?
Knowing the right time to take a baby bird into your care is based on certain
signs that may indicate the parents are not around or the bird is in need of
veterinary attention.
The following is a list of guidelines or signs to help you make this important
decision.
- Blood from nose or beak, swelling or bruising around head indicating possible
head trauma
- blood, obvious wounds or growths anywhere on the body
- limping, dragging or dangling wings or legs
- wings or legs protruding at abnormal angles from the body
- bird is using wings to move along ground or for support
- head tilts, persistent circling motions, twitching, spasms or apparent
blindness
- bird is not moving at all, lethargic, listless, nonresponsive to sound
or movement
- gasping, sneezing, wheezing or other breathing difficulties
- mucous, blood or pusy discharges from eye, nose, ears, mouth or anus (vent)
- bloating
- no droppings over a period of several hours
- excessive feather loss or damage (not to be mistaken for the partial feather
growth of a fledgling baby)
- cat has had baby bird in its mouth
If you have made the decision to take a wild bird into your care then it is
crucial to keep it warm, in a dark, quiet, draft free location until immediate,
qualified help is available. Do not attempt to force water into the mouth as
the young bird will likely choke and the complications could prove fatal.
Who do I contact for assistance in the care of the abandoned or injured
bird?
It is best NOT to attempt this "good Samaritan" venture on your own.
Despite your best intentions, there are trained people available to assist or
take over the care giving roles needed to heal and rehabilitate the bird to
enable it's successful return to the wild. Large amounts of time, attention,
expertise and space are needed for the young birds to learn flight, finding
food and socialization. The goal is not to have a wild "pet" but to
return the bird to a quality life in the wild where it belongs.
Please contact your local vet or the SPCA to find out the nearest person with
experience in wildlife rehabilitation.
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