Bird House

Specifications and General Information for Building Birdhouses

Top Five Myths About Rescuing Baby Wild Birds

Posted by Admin On June - 21 - 2011

There are a lot of misconceptions about what to do when rescuing a displaced baby bird. Here’s a list of the best 5 myths about rescuing a baby bird:

five.  Mother  birds push their defective young out of the nests – FALSE

If an egg does not hatch, birds will sometimes roll it out of the nest,  But wild birds do not push their young out of nests.  Typically, baby wild birds will be knocked out of their nest by a fellow nest-mate, by the wind or much more likely dragged out by a predator.  It is also not true that a wild bird parent will carry their young back to the nest.

4.  Wild birds will not return to a fallen nest if it is put back into location – FALSE

Wild birds will totally return to a fallen nest, specifically if known as by their hungry babies.  If a bird’s nest is knocked to the ground, return it near it is original location.  If the nest is damaged, the remaining material can be put inside a container with drainage holes (e.g.  strawberry container) and wired into place near the original location.  Set the babies back into the nest and watch from a distance to make positive the parents find the nest.  The parents really should return prior to nightfall.  If they do not return to the nest, get in touch with a wildlife rehabilitation specialist for far more details.

three.  It’s OK to try to raise a displaced baby wild bird your self. – FALSE

Only individuals who are licensed rehabilitators, or veterinarians who occasionally treat wildlife on an emergency basis, may possibly legally care for wildlife.  Otherwise, it is against state and federal laws for individuals to raise wild birds.

2.  Any displaced baby wild bird ought to be returned to their nest.  – FALSE

A nestling (pink or beginning feathers) ought to be placed back in the nest, and observed till the parents return.  A fledgling (two-3 week old, fluffy with 1/2? tail feathers) generally exit and return to the nest as they find out to fly.  If fledgling activity is observed in your backyard, keep pets and kids a safe distance away and leave the birds alone.

1.  If you touch a baby wild bird, the mother will abandon it – FALSE

Birds have little to no sense of smell, and are dedicated parents who put a wonderful deal of time and power into feeding and caring for their young.  Touching the baby bird will have no impact on the parents’ decision to care for the baby wild bird.  If the nestling is cold to the touch, it can be cupped in the hands and warmed prior to putting it back into the nest.

What to do if you find a displaced baby wild bird

If you see a bird in distress, make positive there are no predators in the region (put cats and dogs indoors) and maintain kids a secure distance back.

Establish if the bird is nestling (pink and couple of feathers) or a fledgling (fuzzy, hopping and flapping, 1/2? tail feathers).   If it is a fledgling, let it be, as it is likely just practicing some new abilities.  If it’s a nestling, find the nest and return it.

If the nest is lost or destroyed, hang or secure a container with drainage holes lined with dry paper towels near the original location of the nest.  Do not attempt to give food or water to the baby bird.  Return the baby birds to the nest and observe.  If the parents have not returned by nightfall, bring the nestling indoors (warm, quiet, covered box with air holes) and get in touch with a wildlife rehabilitation specialist in your region.