What To Do If You Find a Baby Bird on the Ground
I often get calls this time of year from people who have found a baby bird in their yard. In most cases, the person calling is concerned and wants to know what they can do to help the bird. Here are a few tips to know what to do, or if you should do anything at all.
What should you do if you find a fledgling?
More often than not, the best thing you can do for a baby bird is nothing. Most baby birds that you find on the ground are fledglings, not nestlings. Fledglings are young birds that have left the nest (leaving the nest is called fledging), but are still being cared for by their parents. Although fledglings are more vulnerable than adult birds, this stage of life is a natural part of their growth. The most important resource for fledglings is the care provided by their parents, so it’s best not to interfere. For very young fledglings that can’t yet fly, you can help by picking them up and placing them on a nearby perch in a bush or tree. Getting a very young fledgling off the ground keeps them safer from some predators like cats and snakes.
What should you do if you find a nestling?
If you find a nestling, there are a few actions you can take to help. First, put it back in the nest. If the nest has been destroyed or you can’t find it, put the nestling in a basket or cardboard box near where you found the bird. If possible, place your replacement “nest” off the ground in the branches of a bush. Just like a fledgling, the best chance a nestling has is to continue to receive care from its parents.
How can you tell the difference between a fledgling and a nestling?
How can you tell if a bird is a fledgling or a nestling? Feathers cover most or all of the body of a fledgling, and they have long flight feathers on their wings and tail (although those feathers are often not fully grown). Nestlings show much more bare skin because they have fewer feathers. If they do have feathers covering their body, the feathers are often not fully developed and look fuzzy. Many of the feathers on a nestling are “pin feathers,” which are spike-shaped feathers that are just beginning to grow. Additionally, fledglings are more likely to notice you and react to you, and are often physically capable of running or flying away if you approach.
When does a baby bird need help?
When to do more. There are two situations where young birds may benefit from being captured and removed from their natural habitat:
Orphaned nestlings
1. Orphaned Nestlings. If nestlings or very young fledglings no longer have parents, they need help. Nestlings can lose their parents if the parents die or if they become so stressed that they abandon the nest. You can determine if the parents are no longer around by watching a nest or baby bird for a full hour (make sure you’re not close to the nest, or your presence may keep the parents from visiting). If no parents visit in an hour, they likely never will.
Serious injury
2. Serious Injury. If any bird appears to have a cut or a broken bone, or if they seem lethargic or unresponsive more than twenty minutes after running into a window, it’s time to help.
What should you not do if you find a baby bird?
What not to do. Do not attempt to provide food or water to an orphaned or injured bird. Remember that any contact with a bird causes it stress – don’t handle a bird unless you’re sure it needs your help.
How should you help an orphaned or injured baby bird?
What to do. Place the orphaned or injured bird in a cardboard box with the top folded over. For young nestlings, you can include a bottle of hot tap water wrapped in a towel to provide warmth. They also benefit from being placed on a towel or old t-shirt. Place the box in a warm, dark, quiet place. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible for guidance on the next steps. The Pennsylvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators offers a list of wildlife rehabilitators near you in Pennsylvania.
Frequently asked questions about baby birds
Should I help a baby bird I found on the ground?
Most baby birds found on the ground are fledglings that are still being cared for by their parents. In many cases, the best thing you can do is leave the bird alone.
Can I put a baby bird back in its nest?
Yes. If you find a nestling, the first step is to return it to the nest whenever possible.
How can I tell if a baby bird is injured?
A bird may need help if it has a visible cut or broken bone, or if it appears lethargic or unresponsive.
Should I give food or water to an orphaned baby bird?
No. Do not attempt to provide food or water to an orphaned or injured bird. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance.
Red-eyed Vireo (fledgling) in Virginia (July 2019). I found this fledgling close to the ground at a highway rest stop. I set it on a higher perch to keep it safer from predators.
Northern House Wren in Dan & Melissa’s yard (June 2022). This nestling wren is about ready to leave the nest to become a fledgling.
Red-eyed Vireo (fledgling) in Virginia (July 2019). I found this fledgling close to the ground at a highway rest stop. I set it on a higher perch to keep it safer from predators.
What To Do If You Find a Baby Bird on the Ground
I often get calls this time of year from people who have found a baby bird in their yard. In most cases, the person calling is concerned and wants to know what they can do to help the bird. Here are a few tips to know what to do, or if you should do anything at all.
What should you do if you find a fledgling?
More often than not, the best thing you can do for a baby bird is nothing. Most baby birds that you find on the ground are fledglings, not nestlings. Fledglings are young birds that have left the nest (leaving the nest is called fledging), but are still being cared for by their parents. Although fledglings are more vulnerable than adult birds, this stage of life is a natural part of their growth. The most important resource for fledglings is the care provided by their parents, so it’s best not to interfere. For very young fledglings that can’t yet fly, you can help by picking them up and placing them on a nearby perch in a bush or tree. Getting a very young fledgling off the ground keeps them safer from some predators like cats and snakes.
What should you do if you find a nestling?
If you find a nestling, there are a few actions you can take to help. First, put it back in the nest. If the nest has been destroyed or you can’t find it, put the nestling in a basket or cardboard box near where you found the bird. If possible, place your replacement “nest” off the ground in the branches of a bush. Just like a fledgling, the best chance a nestling has is to continue to receive care from its parents.
How can you tell the difference between a fledgling and a nestling?
How can you tell if a bird is a fledgling or a nestling? Feathers cover most or all of the body of a fledgling, and they have long flight feathers on their wings and tail (although those feathers are often not fully grown). Nestlings show much more bare skin because they have fewer feathers. If they do have feathers covering their body, the feathers are often not fully developed and look fuzzy. Many of the feathers on a nestling are “pin feathers,” which are spike-shaped feathers that are just beginning to grow. Additionally, fledglings are more likely to notice you and react to you, and are often physically capable of running or flying away if you approach.
When does a baby bird need help?
When to do more. There are two situations where young birds may benefit from being captured and removed from their natural habitat:
Orphaned nestlings
1. Orphaned Nestlings. If nestlings or very young fledglings no longer have parents, they need help. Nestlings can lose their parents if the parents die or if they become so stressed that they abandon the nest. You can determine if the parents are no longer around by watching a nest or baby bird for a full hour (make sure you’re not close to the nest, or your presence may keep the parents from visiting). If no parents visit in an hour, they likely never will.
Serious injury
2. Serious Injury. If any bird appears to have a cut or a broken bone, or if they seem lethargic or unresponsive more than twenty minutes after running into a window, it’s time to help.
What should you not do if you find a baby bird?
What not to do. Do not attempt to provide food or water to an orphaned or injured bird. Remember that any contact with a bird causes it stress – don’t handle a bird unless you’re sure it needs your help.
How should you help an orphaned or injured baby bird?
What to do. Place the orphaned or injured bird in a cardboard box with the top folded over. For young nestlings, you can include a bottle of hot tap water wrapped in a towel to provide warmth. They also benefit from being placed on a towel or old t-shirt. Place the box in a warm, dark, quiet place. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible for guidance on the next steps. The Pennsylvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators offers a list of wildlife rehabilitators near you in Pennsylvania.
Frequently asked questions about baby birds
Should I help a baby bird I found on the ground?
Most baby birds found on the ground are fledglings that are still being cared for by their parents. In many cases, the best thing you can do is leave the bird alone.
Can I put a baby bird back in its nest?
Yes. If you find a nestling, the first step is to return it to the nest whenever possible.
How can I tell if a baby bird is injured?
A bird may need help if it has a visible cut or broken bone, or if it appears lethargic or unresponsive.
Should I give food or water to an orphaned baby bird?
No. Do not attempt to provide food or water to an orphaned or injured bird. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance.
Northern House Wren in Dan & Melissa’s yard (June 2022). This nestling wren is about ready to leave the nest to become a fledgling.
About The Author
Dan Hinnebusch is the Ornithologist for Wild Birds Unlimited. Click to learn more.