Rescuing wild birds

(May 22, 2008) A baby birds that looks lost brings out the saviour in all of us. But do you know the difference between a bird in peril and one that needs to be left alone?

Rescue checklist
Kevin J. McGowan, a researcher at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology compiled this rescue checklist:

Is this a nestling or a fledgling? Fledglings should be left alone. (See below for the difference.)

Unless you see a damaged nest, don’t assume the bird has fallen. They don’t fall as often as we think.

Don't assume the baby is abandoned unless you see a dead parent nearby. The parents may be off foraging for food.

An uncoordinated bird unable to fly is not necessarily a sign of injury. Don’t assume the bird is hurt until you see blood or signs of trauma.

Nestlings become fledglings
Nestlings are completely helpless young birds that can't walk, hop or fly. They won't have any feathers and usually take that classic baby bird pose of a mouth wide open.

Fledglings will have some feathers and maybe tufts of down. Since their flight feathers are not fully developed, they can only flutter from branch to branch and often rest in the grass in between practice flights. If the bird can balance on your thumb then it’s a fledgling and should be out of the nest. Leave it alone and put it back where you found it. Just make sure it will be safe. Watch from afar and you’ll probably see Mom and Dad return within half an hour.

The touching myth
Don’t worry about touching baby birds. It’s a fallacy that the parents will reject the baby if touched. Birds don’t have a developed sense of smell. While fledglings can be left on the ground, nestlings should be returned immediately to the nest.

The Quebec Le Nichoir Bird Sanctuary recommends the following for nestlings:

Look around nearby trees or bushes for the nest.

If the nest has been destroyed or is too high up to reach, make a new one.

Take a small box or plastic container with holes in it and put some dry grass or leaves inside.

Tie the nest securely to the tree and put the nestling into the box.

If the baby is still alone at the end of the day then it’s probably been abandoned and you should bring it inside.

Warm heat
Nestlings get cold very quickly so if yours feels cold to the touch, warm it in your hands and then place it into a box with a covered hot water bottle on the bottom. (Use lukewarm water). Never give any water or milk. Both can kill the nestlings by getting into their lungs.

Caring for a baby bird is a delicate and demanding task that should be done by licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator. Call them immediately or ask your veterinarian for the number of your local Wild Bird Sanctuary.

Injured adult birds
Adult birds can be momentarily stunned after hitting a window. If the bird is safe outside from predators then leave it alone for about 15 minutes. If it hasn’t recovered by then gently put it into a box or paper bag. The Wild Bird Care Centre recommends dropping a towel over the bird’s head as the darkness will immediately calm them. Grasp the bird gently around the shoulders so the wings are held against the body.

Place it into a quiet place for one to two hours. Afterwards take the box outside and open it. A recovered bird will fly away. One that doesn’t move or flutters to the ground needs further attention by a professional. Learn more about bird injuries at Lights Out Toronto!

Don’t attempt to handle birds of prey like raptors, hawks and owls or herons and other long beaked birds. These birds will bite and can cause considerable damage.

Be sure to keep your dogs and cats away from any injured bird. And when in doubt, leave the bird alone.

Anne Colvey is a freelance writer based in Montreal who loves birds.



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