The first thing to keep in mind is that baby birds, along with all other types of wild animals, have the very best chance of survival when left to be raised by their own parents. We wildlife rehabbers certainly try our best to raise orphans when there truly are no parents, but ultimately we can never recreate the lessons that an animal parent can teach their growing young.
Thatâ€s why we always tell people to leave nests undisturbed, even if they are in an inconvenient spot. We do not want people to take babies away from their parents. In fact, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and international law enforced by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in this country, prohibits interfering with native birds, their nests, eggs, or babies.
But it does happen that baby birds accidentally fall from their nests. It also happens that they intentionally jump out of the nest in order to learn to fly. The difference is absolutely crucial.
If a bird you find on the ground is a nestling, the baby needs your help. Bird parents, unlike mammals, cannot retrieve their babies and put them back in the nest. So if you find a nestling — that is to say, a bird who has few feathers and lots of skin visible — the very best way to help is to find the nest and place the bird back in it. If that is not possible, or if the baby bird is in obvious trouble — if say, itâ€s been in a dog or catâ€s mouth, it is bleeding or has visible injuries, flies are landing on it, etc. — then the best option is to bring that baby bird to a licensed wildlife rehabber.
On the other hand, the baby bird may be a fledgling, one who has intentionally left the nest (never to return) but cannot yet fly. This is a normal stage in a birdâ€s development. Fledglings, unlike nestlings, are further along in their development. They have most of their feathers, though sometimes with remainders of downy feather tufts and with a stumpy, short (or even non-existent) tail. These birds have “fledged†the nest. That is, they have left the nest and will spend the next few days mostly on the ground as they learn to fly.  At this stage, the birds may appear awkward, but they should be walking or hopping around on the ground. And thereâ€s no need to interfere! Mom and dad are nearby, keeping a close eye on their young and sometimes bringing food to their babies on the ground.
The fledgling stage is certainly a very vulnerable one for young birds, but birds have to go through it. And it is of the utmost importance that they learn the important lessons of how to forage, hide, fly, and just generally survive in the wild, from their own parents! These are lessons that no wildlife rehabber can recreate in a captive setting. Please do not kidnap a vulnerable fledgling bird! We do not want to take them away from their parents.
If the bird needs to be moved out of immediate danger, you can do that by wearing gloves and placing the baby under a bush or in a safer place. As long as the parents can hear the fledgling chirp, they will know where to bring the food. So donâ€t move them too far, or the bird really will be abandoned.
Unsure if you have a nestling or a healthy fledgling? Unsure if the bird you found is in trouble? City Wildlife is open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily and we are happy to help you to determine the best course of action for your specific circumstance. Call us at 202-882-1000. Or if you live outside of the District of Columbia, consider reaching out to a licensed wildlife rehabber near you by visiting Animal Help Now (www.AHNow.org) and click on the “Wildlife Emergency†button to find help in your area.
