| There are many misconceptions about what to | | | | A nestling (pink or beginning feathers) should be |
| do when rescuing a displaced baby bird. Here's a | | | | placed back in the nest, and observed until the |
| list of the top 5 myths about rescuing a baby bird: | | | | parents return. A fledgling (2-3 week old, fluffy |
| 5. Mother birds push their defective young out | | | | with 1/2? tail feathers) commonly exit and return |
| of the nests - FALSE | | | | to the nest as they learn to fly. If fledgling |
| If an egg doesn’t hatch, birds will sometimes | | | | activity is observed in your backyard, keep pets |
| roll it out of the nest, But wild birds do not push | | | | and kids a safe distance away and leave the birds |
| their young out of nests. Typically, baby wild | | | | alone. |
| birds will be knocked out of their nest by a fellow | | | | 1. If you touch a baby wild bird, the mother will |
| nest-mate, by the wind or more likely dragged | | | | abandon it - FALSE |
| out by a predator. It’s also not true that a | | | | Birds have little to no sense of smell, and are |
| wild bird parent will carry their young back to the | | | | dedicated parents who put a great deal of time |
| nest. | | | | and energy into feeding and caring for their |
| 4. Wild birds will not return to a fallen nest if it is | | | | young. Touching the baby bird will have no |
| put back into place - FALSE | | | | effect on the parents’ decision to care for |
| Wild birds will absolutely return to a fallen nest, | | | | the baby wild bird. If the nestling is cold to the |
| especially if called by their hungry babies. If a | | | | touch, it can be cupped in the hands and warmed |
| bird’s nest is knocked to the ground, return it | | | | before putting it back into the nest. |
| near it’s original location. If the nest is | | | | What to do if you find a displaced baby wild bird |
| damaged, the remaining material can be put inside | | | | If you see a bird in distress, make sure there are |
| a container with drainage holes (e.g. strawberry | | | | no predators in the area (put cats and dogs |
| container) and wired into place near the original | | | | indoors) and keep children a safe distance back. |
| location. Set the babies back into the nest and | | | | Determine if the bird is nestling (pink and few |
| watch from a distance to make sure the parents | | | | feathers) or a fledgling (fuzzy, hopping and |
| find the nest. The parents should return before | | | | flapping, 1/2? tail feathers). If it is a fledgling, let |
| nightfall. If they do not return to the nest, | | | | it be, as it is likely just practicing some new skills. |
| contact a wildlife rehabilitation specialist for more | | | | If it’s a nestling, locate the nest and return it. |
| information. | | | | If the nest is lost or destroyed, hang or secure a |
| 3. It’s OK to try to raise a displaced baby | | | | container with drainage holes lined with dry paper |
| wild bird yourself. - FALSE | | | | towels near the original location of the nest. Do |
| Only people who are licensed rehabilitators, or | | | | not attempt to give food or water to the baby |
| veterinarians who occasionally treat wildlife on an | | | | bird. Return the baby birds to the nest and |
| emergency basis, may legally care for wildlife. | | | | observe. If the parents have not returned by |
| Otherwise, it is against state and federal laws for | | | | nightfall, bring the nestling indoors (warm, quiet, |
| people to raise wild birds. | | | | covered box with air holes) and contact a wildlife |
| 2. Any displaced baby wild bird should be | | | | rehabilitation specialist in your area. |
| returned to their nest. - FALSE | | | | |