It’s common to come across baby birds that have fallen from their nests or are learning to fly. Your instinct may be to help the bird by picking it up and putting it back in the nest. However, there are good reasons why you should avoid touching baby birds.
Is it illegal to touch baby birds?
In the United States, it is illegal under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to handle or possess baby birds without the proper permits. This law protects native bird species from interference. So even if your intentions are good, it’s best to avoid touching baby birds to stay on the right side of the law.
Dangers to the baby bird
When you touch a baby bird, even gently, you risk injuring or traumatizing it. Baby birds have extremely delicate bones and can be hurt very easily. They may struggle or become agitated when handled by humans. This can lead to further injury or stress.
You also risk exposing the baby bird to pathogens and bacteria that live on human skin. Baby birds have undeveloped immune systems and are susceptible to illnesses that humans can carry without symptoms. Diseases like salmonella can be rapidly fatal to baby birds.
Will the parents abandon the baby if touched by a human?
This is a common myth. Most bird parents will not abandon their chicks if a human touches them. However, disturbing the nest and handling the babies can stress the parents and disrupt their caregiving. It’s best not to interfere unless the baby is clearly injured or orphaned.
When can you intervene with baby birds?
As a general rule, you should only handle baby birds in an emergency when their safety is threatened. Here are some situations when intervening may help:
- The baby bird is clearly injured – bleeding, wings drooping abnormally, weak and unresponsive.
- A nest has been destroyed or the area is unsafe – such as a tree being cut down.
- The baby bird is orphaned – no parents are responding or feeding it over an extended time.
- The baby bird is in immediate mortal danger – such as being stalked by a predator.
In these cases, gently pick up the baby bird with gloved hands or a towel and put it in a ventilated box or carrier. Keep it warm and quiet. Then call a wildlife rehabilitator or animal rescue center to assess the situation and care for the bird.
What should you do if you touch a baby bird?
If you accidentally touch a baby bird, here are some steps to take:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Disinfect any surfaces the bird touched.
- Minimize further contact or handling of the bird.
- Monitor the baby bird from a distance if possible. Are the parents still feeding it? Does it appear in distress?
- Call a wildlife rehabilitator if the baby bird seems orphaned or injured.
- If the parents continue caring for it normally, you can leave the area so they can return.
With proper judgment, most baby birds recover fully from brief, gentle handling by humans. But it’s always best to avoid touching them unless their safety is at immediate risk.
How to rescue an injured or orphaned baby bird
Here are the basic steps for safely rescuing a baby bird in distress:
- Prepare a ventilated container lined with a soft cloth for transporting the bird. Poke air holes in the lid.
- Wear thick gloves to avoid contact with skin and potential bites or scratches.
- Gently pick up the baby bird and place it in the container. Offer a shallow dish of water if dehydrated.
- Keep the bird in a warm, quiet, dark place away from other pets, children, and noise.
- Do not attempt to feed it. This can easily cause aspiration pneumonia.
- Contact a wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian who can properly assess and care for the bird.
- Surrender the bird to their care as soon as possible. Don’t keep orphaned wild animals as pets.
With quick professional assistance, injured and orphaned baby birds often recover and can be released back to the wild.
Signs a baby bird needs help
Here are some signs a baby bird should be taken to a wildlife rehabilitator:
- Bleeding from the beak, eyes, or body
- Wings drooping unevenly or held away from body
- Weakness or inability to stand/perch
- No adult birds responding after 2-3 hours
- Featherless or nearly featherless
- Shivering and vocalizing from cold
Nestling birds that have fallen from nests are often healthy. Try to return them to the nest if possible before the parents leave. If not, a rehabilitator can raise the chick.
How can you help baby birds avoid danger?
Here are some tips for protecting baby birds without having to handle them:
- Avoid trimming trees and bushes during nesting season.
- Keep pet cats indoors so they don’t disturb nests.
- Drive slowly and avoid using loud tools near nests.
- Put up mesh netting to keep birds from building nests in dangerous areas.
- Place warning signs around nests in high-traffic spots.
With some planning and care, baby birds can be protected without risky human intervention in most cases.
Conclusion
Touching baby birds often does more harm than good. While your instinct may be to rescue them, human contact can injure, traumatize, and expose them to illness. It’s best not to handle baby birds and to keep your distance unless their safety is immediately threatened. Call a wildlife rehabilitator right away if you find any baby birds that are orphaned, injured or in mortal danger. With professional care and minimal handling, baby birds have the best chance to survive and return to their natural environment.