ALABAMA WILDBIRD
CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

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Help, I've Found A Baby Bird!
This article contains three other pages. Click a title to move to the page..

    Emergency Care of Orphan Birds    Long Term Care of Orphan Birds    Directory of Wildlife Rehabbers

If it hasn't happened to you it probably will. An orphan bird will show up on your doorstep. You may find it yourself or a neighbor may bring it around because you just happen to be the neighborhood "bird expert". How did it get out of the nest? Should you keep it? What do you do with it if you decide to keep it? Questions, questions, questions! Perhaps the information in this article will help you decide on a course of action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How/why do baby birds fall out of the nest?

Answer: They don't always fall out sometimes they are pushed. Their kid brother may give them a boot or a passing crow or jay may toss them overboard while eating their little sister. It's not out of the question that a strong wind could have blown the nest from the tree. Sometimes the little rascals just try to fly before they are ready.

Question: What is the first thing I should do?

Answer: Look for mom and pop! If you see the parents hovering about you couldn't ask for better help. Try your best to make arrangements for Jr. to be returned to his own home sweet home. The decision to keep and raise the youngster should be way down the list, attempted only when everything else has failed.

Question: How do I return him to mom and pop?

Answer: If you see the nest he came from put him back in it. If you can't find the nest or if it has been destroyed put the bird in a basket or other container that can be hung and place it in a tree or bush. Be sure that the container you choose has holes in the bottom to allow for drainage. The parents are likely to find him and will care for him in the container until he is able to fledge. It is not a good idea to leave the bird on the ground. Cats, dogs, ants, and other wicked baby bird eaters are probably hanging around just waiting for you to leave.

Question: What if I can't return him or his parents are not around.

Answer: You may be on your way to becoming a mama bird. Before you go completely off the deep end contact a wildlife rehab center and see if by chance they will help. If you decide to jump, see the next section of this article.

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