What to Do About a Lost Baby Bird
By Mike • April 6, 2008 • 9 commentsI just received an e-mail entitled “Emergency – Baby Bird” and since I’m not sure if my advice would be the best advice in this situation, I thought this errant fledgling could benefit from the wisdom of crowds. Here’s the situation:
My husband just rushed in to tell me that a baby bird had flown into our garage. It seems distressed and is breathing rapidly. We suspect it might be a baby red winged black bird. As my husband tried to follow it, it made its way to our niger seed storage ben, and it is sitting on top of the seed in there. We really don’t know what to do. We have too many cats in the neighborhood to just let it go. If you think it advisable, we could set it in our yard under bushes carefully, and hope a mother bird hears its call. There are many red wings on the little run-off shed lake in our neighborhood who come to our feeders.
Any suggestions as to what we should do to help the little critter? We have not touched it with our hands, but my husband did help it with a clean towel to secure it safely in the feed storage ben to protect it. The ben is getting air, so suffocation should not be an issue either. Let me know ASAP what we might do to help it.
What is the right thing to do here?
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If the bird is capable of flight it should be fine on its own. I would recommend putting it on the bush, not under it, and keeping an eye on it to see if cats come near. But first check it over for any recognizable wounds, and, if it has any, maybe try to contact a wildlife rehabilitator in your area.
It sounds like the bird can fend for itself, but just got a little lost. As long as it is not injured, it can be released outside. It would be best to do that as soon as possible, since it might not have access to the proper food in the garage.
I’m surprised that there are fledgling blackbirds running around already.
I wonder where the person lives that they have baby birds running around. I would question the term “baby” bird. A lot of people call smaller species of birds “baby” birds. Also, be sure to dismiss her thought that they can’t touch the bird.
Oh wait, I forgot a key critical first step.
Step 1: Determine if it’s a House Sparrow or European Starling. If no, proceed to step 2. If yes, leave it.
Is that so wrong?
I used to work at an environmental center that got a lot of these calls. The best thing to do is just bring the bird back outside and in a shaded, safe area. If the bird is fledging it will take care of itself. If not it may end up helping out another baby animal – as food.
Also, don’t worry about not touching it, most birds can’t smell human scent.
RE: Patrick, I hear you, and lots of people will say you’re callous and cruel, but hey! It flew in the garage! Unless it’s a RWBB, then help it if possible.
[...] even it! Mike celebrated Earth Day and panned Arbor Day, explained coots, asked what to do about a lost baby bird and shared his birthday present while Corey reviewed Kenn Kaufman’s latest book, discussed [...]
a friend found a tiny bird three weeks ago, and has fed it with a dropper,and caring for it like a baby. it can fly around now .now she has heard other birds will attack it if she lets it out.
what to do?
i just found a baby bird today and i do not know what to do with it it looks horible like a dog just got ahold of it please help!!!!!!
p.s. i have been trying to give it water with a dropper.