Finding a baby grackle, also known as a grackle nestling or fledgling, can be a surprising and concerning experience for many people. Grackles are a type of blackbird found throughout North America and known for their shiny black plumage. If you stumble upon a baby grackle that has fallen from its nest or appears lost, it’s understandable to want to help it. However, there are some important things to consider before intervening.
In this article, we’ll provide an overview of grackles, explain how to identify a baby grackle, give recommendations for what to do if you find one, and answer some frequently asked questions. Following the proper procedures can help ensure the best outcome for the grackle nestling.
About Grackles
Grackles are medium-sized blackbirds that belong to the icterid family, which includes orioles, cowbirds, blackbirds, and meadowlarks. There are several species of grackles in North America, including:
- Common Grackle
- Boat-tailed Grackle
- Great-tailed Grackle
- Bronzed Grackle
The most widespread species is the Common Grackle, which has a black body, purple-blue iridescence on the head and neck, and yellow eyes. Males tend to be larger and shinier than females.
Grackles prefer open habitats near water, like marshes, ponds, and rivers. They are omnivorous and opportunistic foragers, feeding on insects, spiders, frogs, fish, seeds, grains, fruit, nuts, eggs, nestlings, and small creatures.
During breeding season, grackles build cup-shaped nests out of grasses, twigs, and mud, typically 10-30 feet above ground in trees. Females lay 3-5 eggs which hatch after 12-14 days. Both parents feed the nestlings with regurgitated food. Young grackles leave the nest at 11-17 days old but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks as they learn to find food and fly skillfully.
Identifying Baby Grackles
Baby grackles can be identified by certain physical traits and behaviors:
- Size: Nestlings are quite small at 1-2 inches tall. As they grow into fledglings, they reach 5-7 inches tall.
- Plumage: Babies have fluffy dark gray down feathers at first. Their adult black plumage begins growing in after 4-5 days.
- Beak: The beak grows quickly and is yellow at the corners.
- Eyes: Eyes are dark brown.
- Movement: Nestlings remain in the nest. Fledglings hop around ground clumsily.
- Sounds: High-pitched cheeping or squealing noises.
- Appearance: The bare skin looks pinkish and fragile.
Young grackles may appear fluffy and timid compared to adults. They are unable to fly well at first. Fledglings tend to stay low to the ground and cry frequently when separated from parents.
What To Do If You Find a Baby Grackle
If you come across a baby grackle on the ground, here are some recommendations for how to proceed:
Step 1: Observe from a distance
Before intervening, look around carefully and watch the scene for a while. Fledgling grackles spend 2-4 days on the ground while learning to fly. Their parents continue caring for them during this time.
If you see adult grackles nearby or feeding the baby, it’s best not to disturb them. The parents won’t abandon their fledgling due to human scent despite the myth. Keep children and pets away so they don’t scare the birds.
Step 2: Check for injuries or illness
If the baby grackle appears injured or sick, you’ll need to intervene. Signs can include:
- Broken bones or wounded wings/legs
- Bleeding
- Lethargy or inability to hop/move
- Loss of appetite
- Eye discharge
- Feathers matted with blood
- Abandonment for over an hour
Use caution when handling injured wildlife. Wear thick gloves to avoid grackle bites. Gently place the baby in a paper bag or box lined with a soft towel. Keep it somewhere warm and dark until you can get it to a wildlife rehabilitator.
Step 3: Contact a wildlife rehabilitator
If the fledgling is clearly orphaned or injured, reach out to a professional as soon as possible. Licensed wildlife rehabilitators have the proper training, facilities, and resources to care for grackles.
To find a local rehabilitator, contact:
- Animal control department
- Wildlife resource department
- Audubon Society chapter
- Wildlife rehabilitation directory online
Provide details about exactly where you found the grackle and its condition. Follow any special transport instructions they give. Getting the baby grackle professional help quickly is vital to its survival.
Step 4: Support the journey to the rehabilitator
While waiting to get the baby grackle to the wildlife rehabilitator:
- Line a cardboard box with a soft cloth and place it somewhere warm and quiet.
- Don’t try to feed it. This can do more harm than good.
- Keep children, pets, and loud noises away.
- Avoid excess handling so the grackle stays calm.
Getting the baby to the rehabilitator within 2 hours is ideal. Call ahead so they can be prepared to start caring for the grackle immediately.
Step 5: Clean up and monitor the area
After rescuing the baby grackle, check the area closely for any potential threats to its siblings. Look for disturbed nests, predators, or other babies that may have fallen. Removing any ground hazards can make the area safer.
Keep monitoring to see if the parents return or call out to the babies. You may find there are other fledglings trying to survive without intervention. Consulting a wildlife expert can help you take proper steps to protect the family.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about finding baby grackles:
How can I tell if a baby grackle needs help?
Signs a baby grackle is in trouble include apparent injuries, lethargy, no parents nearby, or unusual weakness preventing it from hopping or flapping wings. A healthy fledgling can flutter up to low branches and gets fed by its parents routinely.
Should I return a baby grackle to its nest?
No. Trying to put a baby grackle back in its nest can do more harm than good. The parents might reject or attack it. Fledglings are meant to spend time on the ground learning skills, so let them develop naturally. Only interfere if the baby is clearly sick or injured.
What if I can’t reach a wildlife rehabilitator right away?
In an emergency, use a cardboard box as a temporary nest while you contact rehabilitators. Line it with a towel, poke air holes, and place it somewhere dark and quiet. Don’t try to feed or medicate the grackle yourself. Keep it warm and contained until an expert can take over care.
Will grackles abandon their babies if a human touches them?
No. Adult grackles won’t permanently abandon babies due to human scent or touch. They may temporarily avoid the area due to perceived danger but will still return to care for the fledglings. It’s a myth that handling baby birds makes parents reject them.
Can I raise an orphaned baby grackle myself?
Raising orphaned or injured grackles requires specific techniques, diets, housing, permits, and more. Well-meaning people often do more harm than good attempting to rehabilitate wildlife at home. Always bring rescued grackles to licensed wildlife rehabilitators to give them the best chance of survival.
Conclusion
Discovering baby birds like grackles can put good samaritans in a difficult position. While the natural instinct may be to intervene, patience and caution are key. Observe from a distance, contact wildlife experts, and only provide emergency transport to give the parents a chance to care for their fledglings. With the proper steps, baby grackles have the best opportunity to grow and thrive in the wild where they belong.