All About Birds- healthy & injured
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Center > Wild Life > Birds
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| 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).
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| 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.
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