Have you found a baby bird? If you’ve found a young bird on the ground there are a couple of things to keep in mind before trying to help.
Fledgling Western Screech Owl, Image by Ray Rozema
Is it a nestling? 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. We have a list of rescue organizations you can contact on our Injured Bird page.
Is it a fledgling? Fledglings are larger, with feathers, and able to hop. 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, 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.
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?
Fledgling Western Bluebird