This is part of their training and the mother bird then cares for the fledging youngster while it is on the ground. It will soon be strong enough to fend for itself. Cottontail rabbits build their nest by forming a slight depression in the ground and then lining it with bits of their own fur. Mother rabbits spend most of their time away from the nest, returning only occasionally to nurse the young. This helps to detract a predator's attention away from the nest.
Nests are usually well-concealed in tall grass and weeds.
Once again the mother is nearby carefully watching. When a baby animal is found, you should normally not attempt to pick it up and try to help it unless the young animal is very obviously weak or in poor health. Almost always it is fine and the mother will return soon, but only if you leave. As long as you are there, the mother will be too frightened to return. This article may be reproduced for classroom use by students and educators but may not be reprinted otherwise without written consent from the Nature Center.