When to Save Baby Birds

Over the years I've lived in rural New Mexico, I've watched baby birds miraculously morph from tiny eggs warmed by their mother's body heat, to tiny nestlings who are totally dependent on the food their parents bring them, to fledglings who, after a little practice, fly off, ready to begin their new lives. A baby bird is a fragile creature subject to many dangers. Most never reach adulthood. If you come upon a baby bird out of its nest, it's vital that you understand the difference between the two stages of its growth and whether you should attempt to rescue it or leave it alone.

In the first, or nestling stage, a baby bird is naked except for pin feathers, and its eyes are still closed. It still needs frequent feedings from its parents, so it's important to put a baby bird back in its nest if you find one on the ground. Contrary to popular myth, the mother will not reject it after being handled by a human because her sense of smell is very poor.

If you can't find the nest, you can build one yourself. According to The Wildlife Center of Española, New Mexico, a renowned wildlife rescue facility, you can make a nest out of a plastic tub with puncture holes at the bottom for drainage. Never use meshed fruit baskets because the bird can get its legs caught in the mesh. Line the tub with clean dry grass or small dry leaves. You can also use facial or toilet paper if it's the dry season. Nail your nest up in a tree near where you think the original nest is located. Make sure it's shaded and protected from other creatures. Then hide out of sight and watch for the parents to find the nest and resume caring for their baby.

If the baby bird is injured, or if no parent appears to feed it after an hour or two has passed, you need to find a wildlife rehabilitator (google "wildlife rehabilitation" for your area, check the Yellow Pages for "Wildlife Sanctuary" or "Animal Rescue", or call your local animal shelter or a veterinary clinic for contact information).

At the second, or fledgling stage, a bird is fully feathered and still learning to fly. If you find a fledgling on the ground, it may have fallen during a flying lesson. Having problems staying airborne is common for baby birds, so don't interfere, because its parents are very likely close by monitoring the situation and they are still feeding it. It is unlikely that the bird is injured or abandoned.

If the baby bird is not injured, do not move it unless it's in danger of being hit, eaten or stepped on. If you've already picked it up, put it back where you found it unless it's an unsafe area. For extra protection, you can hide the baby bird in a nearby bush or vegetation so the parents can find it. They are probably close by, waiting for you to leave so they can approach it. Make sure that you keep dogs, cats and children away from the area for a few days.

Never feed or give water to a baby bird. Also, be aware that it is illegal to keep native wild birds as pets, so do not attempt to adopt an abandoned or injured baby bird. Make sure it gets care from a qualified wildlife rehabilitator. A baby bird will have a much better chance of surviving to adulthood if you do.