Quick Answer
If you find a fledgling (baby bird) on the ground, here are some quick tips:
- Leave it alone if it’s safe, the parents are likely nearby and will still feed it.
- Don’t try to return it to the nest, this can do more harm than good.
- Move it to a nearby bush or tree if it’s in immediate danger.
- Call a wildlife rehabilitator if it’s injured/sick or you can’t find the parents.
- Avoid touching it and keep pets away to prevent distress.
The main things are to not interfere unnecessarily, keep the bird safe from danger, and only intervene if the parents don’t return or it needs medical care. Read on for more details!
Is it normal to find a baby bird on the ground?
It’s actually quite common to find a fledgling on the ground in the spring and summer months. Fledglings are young birds that have left the nest and are learning to fly, feed themselves, and be independent. This is a normal stage of development, but fledglings are vulnerable since they can’t fly well yet and their parents are still caring for them.
Some signs that a bird on the ground is likely a fledgling:
- Lots of downy feathers, growing in adult feathers
- Hopping around on the ground, can’t fly well yet
- Seems alert and uninjured
- Parents nearby, warning calls
So while you may feel worried seeing a baby bird alone on the ground, it doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. The parents are still devoted to feeding and protecting it at this stage.
Should you return a fledgling to the nest?
In most cases, you should not attempt to return a fledgling to its nest. Fledglings naturally leave the nest when they are developing, so trying to put it back can do more harm than good in several ways:
- The parents may reject a baby that has been handled by humans.
- It can disturb the nest and scare away the other juveniles.
- You often can’t locate the exact nest in trees and bushes.
- It risks injury to the baby bird if placed incorrectly.
Additionally, the fledgling stage is a crucial learning period for young birds to practice flying, finding food, and evading predators. By returning them to the nest, you deny them these survival lessons.
So unless the bird is clearly injured, keeping it on the ground is better to allow the natural development process.
What to do if you find a fledgling on the ground?
If you come across a fledgling on the ground, here are some dos and don’ts:
Do:
- Leave it alone if the area is safe, the parents are likely nearby.
- Monitor it from a distance to see if parents are returning.
- Create a protective barrier from pets or predators if needed.
- Contact a wildlife rehabilitator if it seems injured or ill.
Don’t:
- Try to return it to the nest yourself.
- Assume it’s abandoned unless you’re certain.
- Let pets or predators disturb it.
- Attempt to feed it – this can do more harm than good.
The main priorities are keeping the fledgling safe and minimizing intervention unless necessary. Most adult birds will continue caring for a fledgling on the ground.
How long can a fledgling survive on the ground?
Fledglings can survive on the ground for several days as they learn to fly better. The key things allowing their survival are:
- Access to food and water – parents still feed them for a week or two.
- Protection from predators – thorny bushes, fencing etc. helps.
- Proper development – time to build flight muscles and practice flying.
As long as those needs are met and the fledgling appears alert and healthy, it can likely survive for up to 2 weeks on the ground maturing. Survival gets lower past this point if it can’t fly well to follow parents and escape danger.
If you find a fledgling and the parents haven’t returned for several hours, it may need assistance. Likewise if it’s trapped in an unsafe area. Use your best judgment to assess its condition.
What do baby birds eat and drink?
Baby birds are completely dependent on their parents to provide food and water in the first weeks after hatching. Here is what fledglings are typically fed by adult birds:
- Insects – caterpillars, spiders, worms, snails, beetles.
- Berries – different fruits depending on the species.
- Nectar – from flowers for species like hummingbirds.
- Seeds – cardinals, finches and other seed-eating birds.
- Regurgitated food – partially digested insects or berries.
- Water – given by direct feeding from adult’s beak.
The regurgitated bug paste and direct water feeding are easier for the young birds to digest. Attempting to replicate this is difficult, it’s best to leave feeding to the parents.
What are signs of a sick or injured fledgling?
Here are some signs that a fledgling may be unwell and need help from a wildlife rehabilitator:
- Bleeding, broken wing/leg, weak/unresponsive.
- Heavy breathing, gulping breaths.
- Crusty eyes/nose, swollen eyes.
- Feathers missing, bald patches.
- Constant crying, gaping mouth.
- Unable to stand/hold head up.
- Covered in flies, maggots.
Essentially anything indicating an injury, illness, or that prevents it from begging parents for food is problematic. Other signs of starvation are emaciation, wrinkled skin, and weakness.
If a fledgling exhibits any of these symptoms, contact a wildlife rehabilitator right away for professional care.
How to create a protective barrier for a fledgling?
If the area is unsafe, you may need to create a temporary protective barrier for the fledgling. Here are some options:
- Use a cardboard box tipped on its side, with air holes and bedding.
- Place it in a plant pot or wire basket to elevate it off the ground.
- Use plastic garden fencing to create a small enclosure.
- Set up barrier with branches/twigs woven into a panel.
- Gently transfer to a bushy area shielded from danger.
Key tips:
- Don’t fully enclose it, parents need access to feed it.
- Avoid disturbing/moving it excessively.
- Keep pets indoors so they don’t scare parents away.
- Monitor from a distance for returning parents.
This gives a fledgling protection while still allowing parents to come feed it naturally. Remove barriers once area is safe again.
Can you hand feed baby birds?
It’s best not to attempt hand feeding baby birds if possible. Reasons it’s problematic:
- Difficult to replicate natural diet – nutrients/composition is complex.
- Can aspirate food into lungs if technique is wrong.
- Causes imprinting – they associate humans with food source.
- Need to stimulate to excrete waste – owners often miss this.
- Crop burning – overfilling can irritate their crop.
However, hand feeding can become necessary in some situations:
- Parents killed/missing and rehab isn’t an option.
- Baby is weak and needs supplementary feeding.
- As short term method until going to rehab.
If hand feeding, seek guidance from an avian vet and wildlife rehabilitator first. Use specially formulated bird formulas, feed often in small amounts, and warm formula to correct temperature.
How to find a wildlife rehabilitator for baby birds?
If you determine a fledgling needs professional rehabilitation, here are some options to find a wildlife rehab center near you:
- Search for “wildlife rehabilitation” plus your state or city.
- Contact local animal shelters, humane societies, nature centers.
- Ask your state wildlife agency or Department of Natural Resources.
- Search wildlife rehabilitator directories online.
- Call local veterinarians, police, or animal control for referrals.
Things to ask the rehab center:
- Do they accept the bird species you found?
- What are their intake procedures?
- Can they offer veterinary care if needed?
- Options for you to transport the bird to them.
Getting an ill/injured fledgling to specialized rehab care quickly gives it the best chance of survival and return to the wild.
At what age can baby birds survive on their own?
Baby birds go through gradual stages of maturing and independence:
Stage | Age | Characteristics |
---|---|---|
Hatchling | 0-2 weeks | No feathers, needs constant feeding and warming from parents. |
Nestling | 2-4 weeks | Feathers growing in, mostly confined to nest, relies on parents. |
Fledgling | 4-6 weeks | Juvenile feathers, hops on ground, parents still feed and tend. |
Fully independent | 6-8 weeks | Capable of sustained flight, finds own food, no parental care needed. |
So baby birds are generally not able to survive on their own until 6-8 weeks old. However, the time span varies based on factors like species, habitat, time of year, and condition of the young bird. Small songbirds tend to need 6 weeks minimum.
If you find a baby bird under this age alone it likely needs rehabilitation or supplementary feeding. Monitor it closely.
What to feed baby crows and ravens?
For baby crows and ravens specifically, here are suitable foods if hand feeding is necessary:
- Cat or dog kibble soaked in water
- Chopped hard boiled eggs
- Cooked oatmeal
- Canned dog/cat food
- Ground raw meat
- Meal worms
- Chopped fruits and vegetables
Key tips:
- Avoid bread, avocado, chocolate, Citrus fruits.
- Use tweezers and place food far back on tongue.
- Feed every 1-2 hours from sunrise to sunset.
- Provide shallow dish of water to start drinking.
Consult a wildlife rehabilitator for advice. Captive feeding is difficult so aim for a rehab facility to take over care when possible.
Conclusion
Discovering a fledgling on the ground can seem scary at first. But in most cases, it’s natural for them to be hopping on the ground and parents will still attend to them. Avoid interfering excessively, monitor from afar, and contact wildlife professionals if needed. With a little guidance, you can help ensure the survival of young birds.