Q&A for How to Help a Fallen Fledgling

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  • Question
    What do you do if you find a baby bird on the ground?
    Jeff Jones
    Bird Specialist
    Jeff Jones is a Bird Specialist based in Nashville, Tennessee. He is the writer of BirdOculars, a website dedicated to helping people become better birders. He has over 18 years of experience and specializes in feeding birds and wildlife. Jeff experiments to find ways to encourage birds he wants to study and his website help others to do the same.
    Bird Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Call your local wildlife rehabilitator and ask for help so you can make sure that the bird actually is abandoned. Many young birds are left alone by parents on purpose in between feedings. This way, the parents don't attract attention to their baby birds.
  • Question
    A fledgling fell out of my tree with its siblings. I built up a bushy area in my backyard for it to stay in. Should i leave it outdoors during the night or bring it inside?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    If you see the parent birds nearby, you can leave the bird outside since the parents will take care of it. If you haven't seen the parents within an hour, then call a wildlife rehabilitator to walk you through the next best steps.
  • Question
    While I understand the best rule is to leave fledglings alone, ours is inside a fenced yard where my dogs go to relieve themselves. I tried placing it in a tree and it flew back to the ground. Help.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Fledglings will take up to 2 weeks to learn how to fly, so they need time on the ground. Keep your dog on a leash when you take your dogs out so they can't reach the fledgling.
  • Question
    A fledgling has been hopping about my garden for over 4 days. What should I do if it keeps looking up but not attempting to fly?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    The fledgling may be abandoned by their parents. Call a local wildlife rehabilitator to take care of the baby bird for you.
  • Question
    I found a fledgling on the ground. I tred to pick it up, but it kept hopping away and finally went into the bush. Should I leave it there?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Sometimes fledglings get stuck on the ground for a couple of days while they are figuring their wings out.
  • Question
    My neighbor's cats just attacked a fledgling, but didn't leave any damage, so I brought it inside in a shoe box. What should I do with it?
    Community Answer
    If it didn't leave any damage, release it close to where you found it. If you believe it could have injuries, call the RSPCA or a local vet and they might be able to advise you on what to do or even send someone over to check the bird themselves.
  • Question
    I have a nest on a speaker on my deck above where I feed a feral cat. They are going to fledge out right into the cat bowl any day now. I have a lot of predators. What should I do with these birds?
    Community Answer
    Keep them somewhere safe like in a shoebox with holes so they can breath,put a blankie in the box to make a little nest and shift them somewhere where the predators can't get them.
  • Question
    I found a baby bird that was pushed out and was taking care of it. When I went back to the same spot, another bird was there, what does that mean?
    Community Answer
    Some birds will take over another smaller birds nest and will sometimes eat the eggs. But, the fledgling might have hatched early and escaped before the bird came. You should take care of the baby birds or take them to a wildlife refuge.
  • Question
    How do I help a fallen fledgling through the night if it's raining?
    Yellow Sparrow
    Community Answer
    If it's only raining gently, the fledgling should be fine. If there are any dogs or cats in your area, I recommend hiding it somewhere safe. Remember, it's not a good idea to handle fledglings, as it will decrease their chance of survival.
  • Question
    A fledgling robin fell out of his nest and into a trash bin. He can't fly out. What do I do? The parent and siblings are nearby in the nest.
    Community Answer
    You should probably pick him out. The parent may be too weak to lift him, and his siblings are helpless. Take him out and put him back in the nest. First check for injuries on the robin.
  • Question
    I just found a fledgling house Martin outside our house. Should I leave it on the pebbles to fend for itself?
    Community Answer
    Yes, leave it alone. If the mother does not return, contact a wildlife center in your area for help.
  • Question
    I scared a baby robin and it flew about 4 feet away from the nest. Was it ready to leave the nest? The other two babies are still in the nest.
    Yellow Sparrow
    Community Answer
    If it managed to fly, it should be alright. Birds only leave their nests once they're ready, unless they are startled or abandoned by their parents. If you're worried, keep an eye on the baby. Make sure it goes back to the nest and doesn't get lost.
  • Question
    I found a fledgling in the evening and took it inside. Should I keep it overnight to protect it from predators (including our outdoor barn cat) or leave it to fend for itself?
    Amelia
    Community Answer
    You should probably bring it inside if you haven't already. Keep it warm using a heat lamp. Put some pellets in a small bowl and add water so that they are soggy and loosened up. Feed small bits to the bird.
  • Question
    I’ve had a fledging for 4 days feeding it. No parents around. How do I introduce outside? I still hand feed it
    Community Answer
    Put it in a cage and place it outside to socialise with other birds. When it old enough and can fly, it should be ready to released. You could try burying food in the bird's bedding to learn to forage. Make sure the bird hasn't imprinted on you, if it has, then you should not release it.
  • Question
    Should I bring a fallen fledgling inside and call a wildlife rescue person?
    Community Answer
    No, leave the fledgling where you found it and wait and see if its parents return. Only interfere if it is absolutely necessary (and then call a wildlife rescuer).
  • Question
    Yesterday I found a fledgling and we brought it in for the night in case of my dogs getting to it in the morning. I left it on a branch. It has been an hour but the parents haven't returned. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Try to watch the bird for as long as you can (from a distance), so as to give the parents as much time to return to the bird as possible. If, however, there are still no signs of the parents after quite a while, call a wildlife rescuer.
  • Question
    Can I feed a fledgling a berry?
    Lauren
    Community Answer
    You should avoid feeding the fledgling unless you are sure they need help. If they are in danger, move them to a safe spot nearby. If you are sure they are abandoned, bring them inside and put them in a box with airholes. Then contact a wildlife rehabber and they will help you with the baby bird.
  • Question
    I found a baby fledding and picked it up since my dogs were attacking it and i brought it inside away from my dogs. Should I go put it back?
    Darling of Nature
    Community Answer
    Yes, but remember to keep your dogs in the house when you put it out, the mother might have left the baby and go search for food, if the mother does not return in 24 hours, bring the baby in and hand it over to a shelter or related care place.
  • Question
    So I didn't know the bird I rescued was a fledgling until I read this article. I have cared for it and hand fed it for 24 hours now. It's unharmed. What is my next step?
    Community Answer
    Because it is has been eating from your hand successfully, you should likely just continue caring for it, since there is not much that can be done with how long it has been with you.
  • Question
    There is a baby magpie on my patio. He is moving around and I have seen adult magpies coming down to it. How long is it likely to stay here?
    Dylan
    Community Answer
    It is likely it will be there for at least a few more months more, depending on what month it is in your country. Magpies are family birds, so expect more of them to hang around to help raise the little one.
  • Question
    My sister found a featherless baby bird with its umbilical cord still on it. She looked for a nearby nest but couldn't find one .
    Violet Larson
    Community Answer
    Most attempts to help a bird end badly. Do not attempt to care for a bird without a professional. If there is a wildlife rehab center, call them ASAP and do what they tell you to do.
  • Question
    It is raining hard on and off the two baby birds are out of their nest on the ground under my covered entrance. Should I leave them there? A grown bird is in the nest and I am not sure it is their mom.
    Sofia Pudner
    Community Answer
    If the adult is there, it is possible the baby birds are learning how to fly. Many times they will fall while they are learning, and the rain probably caused them to go under your covered entrance and wait it out. You should just leave them be; the mother bird will be aware and is waiting till it is safe to help her babies.
  • Question
    I have a bird nest on a wreath on my door. Will the bird be OK if it falls onto the concrete below the door?
    Community Answer
    The bird might be okay as long as it doesn't hit its head or break any bones. The best thing to do is take your wreath off your door and set it somewhere that the bird can easily find.
  • Question
    What do I do if a fledgling is outside and I cannot keep my pets indoors?
    Angelica BYRNES
    Community Answer
    You can let your pet outdoors, but keep it away from the bird. If the bird is on the ground most of the time, try keep your pet on a leash (even cats, you can get cat leashes).
  • Question
    Some birds built a nest on our house and the chicks hatched. A fledgling fell out of the nest, we put it back but the mom kicked it out. We left it water & chick feed (we have chickens). What’s next?
    Community Answer
    Grab a shoe box and make a fake nest based of the one the parents made. Then feed it whatever the adults eat but crushed up, or if it is food humans eat, chew it up in your own mouth. After it starts flying around your house, release it.
  • Question
    We found a fledgling on the road and took him into our house, he wasn't hurt so we read this and put him back. Was that the right thing to do?
    Community Answer
    Yes, the mother would have been looking for it. It was a good thing you put it back where you found it.
  • Question
    Rescued a baby sparrow from one of the many stray cats in my yard at 3am so idk where it came from and it's considered an invasive species no help from wildlife rehab it won't make it alone. What to do?
    NowUknow
    Community Answer
    Put it in a box with a soft blanket/towel in it with a heat lamp in one side. That way if the bird is too hot it can move to the cooler side of the ‘nest’. Put some food and water in shallow dishes. Make sure the water is super shallow so the bird won’t accidentally drown.
  • Question
    My granddaughter found a small bird on the ground he is breathing very hard and his feather are somewhat ripped out leaving bald spots. She has named it Hope, with hope it will be saved.
    NowUknow
    Community Answer
    If the feathers are missing on its wing, make sure it’s not broken and keep a close eye on the bird. If it is broken, call a wildlife rehabilitation center. If the bald patch is not on the wing, leave it be, but keep an eye on it, especially before nighttime to make sure it won’t freeze.
  • Question
    What should I do if my fledgling falls?
    Community Answer
    Fledglings have special bones that help them to not really get injured when they fall. However, if the bird does appear to be injured, you could bring it indoors and call a wildlife rescue.
  • Question
    I found a fledging fallen on the ground. It is trying to fly and we can see its mother. We gave it some water and put it in a tree. What should we do?
    Shyana Johnson
    Community Answer
    Just leave it be. If it is a fledgling then it is perfectly normal for it to be on the ground and out of the tree. Don't pick it up because that causes stress.
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