Have you every seen a baby bird in its nest? It is that time of year when, if we are lucky, we get to see baby birds. But what should you do if you find a baby bird out of its nest? The answer may surprise you, but most of the time, you should not do anything.

Fledglings are larger baby birds, with feathers, and the ability to hop. You will often see them fluttering their wings and begging for food. For many species of birds, fledglings leave the nest before they are fully capable of flight. The parents remain nearby helping the young bird. For this reason, if you find a fledgling out the nest, the best practice is to leave it alone. It is doing what it’s supposed to do by trying to leave the nest. If the fledgling is in a dangerous spot, it’s all right to move it. However, don’t move it too far as the parents are probably close by.

If you find a nestling, it may need your help. Nestlings are small, typically naked, and can only drag themselves on the ground. First look for the nest and try to return it. It’s a myth that baby birds won’t be accepted back by the parents. If a the nest is too high to reach, National Audubon recommends placing “the baby in a shoe box or hanging basket in the tree or shrub that holds the nest. The parents can hear the chick's calls from a relatively long distance”. If a nest can’t be found, a wildlife rehabilitation center is your next step.

For more information and ideas on what to do if you find a baby bird, check out these resources:

California Raptor Center: What You Should Do If You Find a Baby Raptor
National Audubon: When You Should - and Should Not Help A Baby Bird
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: I Found a Baby Bird - What Should I Do?