What to do when you find a baby bird that has fallen out of its nest
When spring arrives, there is a lot to look forward to: blooming flowers, butterflies, the colorful awakening of nature, and the baby critters that begin to appear. However, it’s not uncommon to stumble across a baby bird on the ground and feel a moment of panic. What do you do to help a fragile little bird that has fallen from its nest? Or a fledgling flapping frantically on the ground? There is a lot to understand about baby birds during this season, and we’re here to help. As you evaluate the bird you’ve found, here are questions to ask to help determine your next steps.
1.) Does it have feathers?
If the bird does not have feathers, you’ve found a nestling. This bird is too young to leave the nest and needs to stay warm with its parents. If the nest is intact, carefully place the bird back inside and watch for up to an hour to see if the parents return.
If feathers are present, you’ve found a fledgling. At this stage, it is best to leave the bird alone. The bird is likely learning to fly from its parents, and it is perfectly normal for fledglings to be on the ground while their parents are nearby. Wait about an hour to determine whether the bird truly needs human help before intervening.
In both situations, do your best to remove cats, dogs, and people from the area and give the bird space.
2.) Is the bird injured?
First and foremost, contact your local wildlife rehabilitator. If a nest cannot be located or the bird has already been rescued, the most important step is to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for proper care. In the meantime, provide warmth. A hot water bottle, a heating pad set on low, or hot water in a glass bottle can help keep the baby bird warm.
Placing the baby bird inside a container such as a cardboard box is also recommended to help keep it safe and secure until help is available.
Where to call for help: Call our local rehabilitator, Wetlands and Wildlife, at 714.374.5587. Please note that you may need to leave a message. They take most bird species and are open 24/7. For more information, visit their website at www.wwccoc.org.
You can also find additional resources on helping wildlife, including birds, at theiwrc.org/resources/emergency/north-america/
3.) Myth Busting
There are many myths surrounding baby birds and their development. A common myth is that the scent of human touch will cause a parent bird to reject its young. Birds do not have a strong sense of smell, and human scent does not affect a parent’s instinct to care for its baby.
When in doubt, reaching out to a rehabilitator can help ensure these baby birds have the best chance of safely reuniting with their parents or making a full recovery. We appreciate the good intentions shown toward our local wildlife. It truly comes from a place of care. At the same time, it is important to remember that sometimes nature does not need our help, and that we can trust wildlife to navigate their world on their own. Trusting nature and allowing animals to remain wild is one of the greatest ways we can support them.
Wild Birds Unlimited is where passion meets purpose—supporting local business, protecting local wildlife, and inspiring the community to connect with nature, one feeder at a time. Visit Wild Birds Unlimited at 17611 Yorba Linda Blvd., or give them a chirp at 714.985.4928.
