All About Birds- healthy & injured

With spring, come baby birds. Birds use many different materials and places to build a nest. Some birds, nest on tree branches, some in hollows of trees and others will nest on the ground. It takes several days for mother birds to lay eggs. Parents will sit on the eggs for 10 – 14 days until they hatch. Most birds are naked and blind when the hatch. They must be kept warm by the parents and fed every 15 minutes from dawn to dusk. Each type of bird eats a different food. Some eat bugs (woodpeckers, robins and chickadees), some eat berries (Cedar Waxwings), some eat meat (hawks and eagles) and some eat fish (osprey, herons).

When their eyes open and their feathers start to grow, baby birds are called nestlings. When birds are two weeks old they are called fledglings. At this stage they have feathers and a short tail. They may start to explore their surroundings even though they are not yet able to fly. They will sometimes be on the ground and it is usually this time when people think that the bird has been abandoned. Parents will continue to feed the baby until they can feed themselves. Parents will warn the babies if danger is nearby. It is a common misconception that if a human touches a baby bird the parents will reject it. Birds do not have a sense of smell. If you find a nestling and can see the nest, return the baby to the nest. Make sure that it is the right nest and that the baby is not injured. Watch from a distance to see that the parents are feeding the nestling. A healthy nestling should feel warm, be active and alert. Eyes will be bright.

If you find a fledgling on the ground you should be sure to keep people and pets away from it. Observe from a distance out of sight to be sure that the parents are feeding the baby about every 20-30 minutes.

Making a substitute nest.

If you find a baby bird and you can’t reach the nest or the nest has fallen out of the tree, you can build a substitute nest. You will need a plastic bucket or wicker basket. If you use a bucket, punch drainage holes in the bottom. If you do not have the old nest, put dry twigs and leaves under the babies. Never use the old nest if it is wet. Secure the bucket or basket close to where the original nest was with nails or wire 5-6 feet from the ground and not in direct sun. Observe from a distance to make sure that the parents are tending to the babies. If 3-4 hours pass and the adults don’t come, the babies will have to be raised by a wildlife rehabilitator. It is important that these babies be raised with others of their own kind. Never try to raise a wild bird yourself. It is against Federal Law to keep wild birds. They can die or be harmed by feeding improper diets or incorrect handling. Injured birds may need veterinary care. Most baby birds must be fed every 15-20 minutes from dawn till dusk.

Injured birds

If you find a young bird that is cold and weak or has visible wounds or injuries, contact a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible. Depending on the age and species, they will instruct you in the safe handling and transport of the bird.