When a bird develops its first feathers, it begins to leave the nest. If you meet one, it is very likely that he is fine and does not need to be taken care of; however, if you think what you come across is in need of attention, there are a few things you can do to help it. Before anything else you have to pay attention so that he can be set free once he has become strong and big enough to fend for himself.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Assess if He Needs Help
Step 1. Determine if it is a nestling or a young specimen
A young bird already has all the feathers and is able to leave the nest on its own, although it is still being fed by the parents who care for it. This is a normal stage in bird life and is often misunderstood by people, as most of these birds, as well as humans' teenagers, do not actually need help.
Otherwise, the nestling still cannot leave the nest; at this age it has not yet developed all its feathers and is unable to stand or stand on its perch. If you have found a nestling rather than a juvenile, it is more likely that it needs help
Step 2. Leave him alone unless he is in immediate danger, for example exposed to predators or traffic
It is normal for a feathered bird to come out of the nest and be on the ground; in fact, the parents feed him even when he is on the ground. However, if you are concerned that the whereabouts are dangerous, transport the little one to a tree and to safety; in this phase of growth it is able to cling to the perches, so you can put it on a branch or on a bush raised from the ground.
- If the bird is in your yard, keep cats or dogs indoors.
- Know that if it is very small and does not yet have feathers, it is a nestling and probably cannot survive outside the nest.
Step 3. Don't touch the young bird unless you know for sure that it needs help
Leave it undisturbed and check it out for a while from a distance. Pay attention to its chirps or those of other nearby birds; parents are likely to return within an hour.
Method 2 of 3: Transfer the Bird
Step 1. Wash your hands before and after handling it
If you don't, you could get H5N1, or bird flu, as well as spreading your germs or bacteria to the little animal. Obviously, if he is in an extremely dangerous situation, you must grab him using a towel and touching him gently, then remember to wash your hands thoroughly.
Step 2. Remove the young bird or nestling from danger
If you find a bird on the path or near a predator, you can move it a little away from the source of danger. Use a paper towel or rag and carefully grab it to transfer it; proceed with the utmost delicacy and try to touch it as little as possible.
Step 3. Put it back in the nest
Since the plucked bird is not supposed to stay outside the nest, it is important that it returns to a warm and safe place. Look at the surrounding area where you found it before picking it up; look for possible parents or other chicks to figure out where the nest might be.
- If you can't find it, make one yourself. Take a small basket or box, fill it with soft material, such as paper towels, and place the bird inside, keeping it close to the area where you found it, but not on the ground for safety reasons. you have to make sure that the parents find it easily, but that it is out of the reach of predators.
- Birds have very limited sense of smell, so parents are likely to continue to feed the nest even if you have picked it up and transferred some of your scent to it.
Method 3 of 3: Keep the Bird Alive
Step 1. Contact a wildlife recovery center or local ranger as soon as possible
You must entrust the bird to the care of experts as soon as possible. While this type of organization does not have enough space to deal with all common species, it can still take on the responsibility of raising orphans of rare and endangered species.
If you do not find such realities in your area and you are alone, you can contact a national or state-level organization that can help you
Step 2. Get a cage or container to put the bird in
Make sure he is unable to escape and that he does not get injured inside the enclosure; make sure it has plenty of space and put it in a warm room, safe from predators.
- Cover the bottom of the cage with soft material and remember to place it in a warm and quiet place.
- Do not put a bowl of water inside; very small specimens get all the water they need from food and the bowl can simply pose a danger, as the bird could drown.
Step 3. Recognize the type of bird
Before taking care of it, you need to know what type of bird it is and know its survival needs. Different bird species have different dietary needs, so you need to figure out which bird you are dealing with before you start feeding them. Keep in mind that if you feed him the wrong food, you could cause him serious upset.
- If you are unable to recognize the bird species at first glance, do some research by looking at native bird books in your area.
- You can search for the different species by consulting for example this link to recognize the specimen you have found and understand how to take care of it appropriately.
Step 4. Evaluate what to eat
It is extremely important to know how to feed the baby bird. Some species eat mainly fruit and insects, while others must be fed only with specific food; this basically depends on the type of bird you encountered and its age.
- Once the species is identified, you can take care of a specimen that feeds on protein by providing it with a specific feed mix for nestlings and flour or earthworms. If it is part of a species that eats fruit, you can instead give it fresh, local berries, such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, as well as a specific mix for nestlings.
- Most pet stores are able to supply you with the specific product.
Step 5. Feed him
Once you have learned the baby bird's nutritional needs, you can use a baby teaspoon or a straw with a teaspoon-shaped end and carefully offer the pureed mixture to him. If you have a syringe without a needle, you can use it instead of a spoon, but be careful to only give a small dose at a time to allow it to be swallowed.
- Keep in mind that taking responsibility for feeding the bird is a big deal; you will probably have to feed him very often, even throughout the night. In some geographic areas it is also necessary to obtain permission from the local wildlife authorities to be able to independently breed a wild bird.
- You can turn to pet and bird stores to find out about any local wildlife rescue organization or how to properly feed the baby bird.
- You can gently massage his throat (goiter) when he ingests the mixture and keep the nestling warm.
- Do not force him to eat, otherwise you risk feeding him too much and even a few bites; you have to force it only if it is still young and does not accept food from you.
- Don't even try to open his beak, otherwise he'll bite you; if you have to, however, wear thin gloves to avoid skin injuries.
Step 6. Prepare to free it
If you have decided that one day you will free it, handle it for as little time as possible; if he receives your imprinting or considers you as a specimen of his own species, he will not be afraid of human beings and will not be able to survive in the wild.
Advice
- If you can't find help nearby, ask a local or national animal or wildlife organization for advice.
- Do not give water to the nestlings, otherwise they suck it up to the lungs; remember that they get all the hydration they need through food. If the specimen you found is a young feathered bird, you can offer it a few drops by letting it drip from a needle-free syringe that you place in front of its beak; in this way he can drink and ingest them himself.
Warnings
- Always wash your hands before and after touching the bird.
- Prevent all pets in the house from approaching the bird; if you have a cat, keep the bird cage in a high enough position out of its reach.
