Recently I received an SOS
call from a Florida relative. She
and her husband (our nephew) were at her parents’ house in Tennessee helping
them with some home repairs and cleanup.
When they took down a birdhouse that was falling apart, they found a
nest of baby birds inside (still without feathers).
At this stage the only help for these babies is to put them where the parents can find them
My niece wanted to know
what they could do to save the babies.
Since the birdhouse was all but disintegrated there was no way they could
put them back in the nest, nor could they put the nest into the new birdhouse,
since it did not have a removable bottom or wall. I advised them to try suspending a box or container below
the birdhouse, placing the nest in the suspended container (see solution #4
below). Time will tell if this
solution will work and the parents find the nest.
Following are some tips
from Sanctuary Manager, Joe Hoffman for what to do if you find yourself
confronted with the dilemma of how to help a baby bird seemingly in need of
assistance:
Every
spring we receive many calls regarding young birds that have fallen from the
nest. Some are in genuine
need of our help, like the baby green herons whose nest was destroyed when a
tree was felled and parents failed to find the makeshift nest.
The baby Green Herons were in need of help when the parents couldn't find them
Others
are baby birds that you may think need help, but don't always need our well
meaning 'help' – like the baby Barred Owl that was admitted. It was a fledgling and was spending
time on the ground learning how to fly, while his parents still cared for
him. Instead he had to learn in
our rehab flight cage.
Baby Barred Owls learning to fly in our rehab flight cage
If
you find a baby bird that you think needs your assistance, first follow the
guidelines below to determine whether or not the young bird truly needs your
help.
If you find a baby bird
that has feathers, its eyes are open and it is able to move away from you:
·
The best thing to do
is leave it alone! The parents
will find it and continue to take care of it wherever it is. Most baby
birds do not leave the nest knowing how to fly very well. They initially flutter out of the nest,
and start clinging to branches or brush.
They stay close to the ground for about 1-2 weeks, and start flying with
short hops from branch to branch.
The hops gradually get longer, until the bird eventually flies.
If the bird is in
immediate danger of being attacked by a cat or dog:
·
When possible, remove
the cat or dog from the area until the bird is able to fly (1-2 weeks).
·
Put the bird in a
nearby bush, shrub or on a tree limb, out of
harm's way. Most birds have a poor
sense of smell, and the parents will not abandon a baby bird touched by humans.
·
Don't stay in the
immediate vicinity of the bird – the parents are probably watching and will not
approach if you stay around.
If you find a baby bird
with little or no feathers and you know where the nest is:
·
Return the bird to
its nest without putting yourself in harm’s way.
If the nest is destroyed,
cannot be found or cannot be reached:
·
You can make one
using a small basket or margarine container. Punch holes in the bottom and line the container with paper
towel (not with grass, as moisture in the grass can cause birds to become too
cold). Secure the 'nest' with duct
tape in a branch fork near the old nest.
The parents will find it.
Check out our blog about a makeshift basketball net nest for a family of
Cooper's Hawks last year: (link: http://world-bird-sanctuary.blogspot.com/2010/08/sprungs-spring-baby-hawks-from-certain.html)
If you are certain the
bird is an orphan:
·
When you are certain
the parents have been killed or there’s no way a
makeshift nest can be made, prepare to transport the bird to a rehabilitation
facility. Carefully place the baby
bird in a small open container lined with paper towel, and place both in a
cardboard box
·
Do not attempt to
feed or water an orphaned bird. A
bird's diet is very particular and they have a feeding schedule that must be
followed.
Sanctuary Manager, Joe Hoffmann, with baby Red-shouldered Hawks
If you are tempted to
keep the baby bird:
·
DON'T.
Migratory birds, including songbirds, are protected under federal
law. Possession of a bird, its
nest or eggs without a permit is illegal.
Which rehab facility?
The World Bird Sanctuary’s
Kathryn G. Favre Wildlife Hospital admits 300-400 birds
of prey per year. We are
unable to do pick-ups or rescues do to staffing issues. We are open to accept birds from 8am to
5pm every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. We accept all birds of prey (hawks, owls, eagles, vultures,
falcons etc.) as well as herons, pelicans and swans. We do not accept songbirds.
If you find a songbird –
Cardinal, Bluebird, Bluejay etc. – you can call Wild Bird Rehab at
314-426-6400.
As always, if you are in
any doubt and need further guidance, please call our wildlife hospital at
636-861-1392 for more information or advice.
Submitted by Gay Schroer,
World Bird Sanctuary Volunteer/Photographer
Article excerpted from Joe Hoffmann, WBS Sanctuary
Manager’s 2009 article
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