How do I know if a baby bird needs my help?
Channel: Lake Metroparks
Date: 02/06/2020

Have you ever noticed a baby bird alone while out exploring in your backyard? Well, if you look closely, you may find its parents nearby. Wildlife parents are very devoted to their young, and most often these babies are not abandoned. It is important to observe the baby from a distance, and let nature be. We can help by keeping a close eye on our pets or bringing them indoors. Did you know that cats are one of the biggest threats to songbirds? They kill over a billion birds each year in the United States alone.

Sometimes, a baby bird may need help if it has fallen out of its nest. If the baby bird is not fully feathered, it still belongs in the nest. You can make a new nest and place it up off the ground in a nearby tree. It’s important to observe from a distance and give the parents a chance to come down to care for their baby. Young birds found hopping around on the ground, most likely just fledged the nest and are learning to fly, and they do not need our help.

Take a moment to see the video below on how to identify those birds that may need your assistance and how to create a makeshift nest. Remember, the best chance for a baby bird’s survival is with its parents in the wild. Wild and Free, Let it Be.

PLEASE NOTE: The Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center is closed to the public and we are not able to accept any additional animals until further notice. Find answers to questions about injured or orphaned wildlife and for a list of wildlife rehabilitators visit goto.lakemetroparks.com/wildlifecenter.

Photo credit: Nina Rose Mangaka