SONGBIRDS

Before bringing a orphaned songbird into our clinic please ask yourself the following questions. Is the bird injured? Am I sure the bird is an orphan?

Is the bird injured?

Often baby birds are brought to the clinic that are considered fledglings. Fledglings are partially feathered and are often found sitting under a tree or below their nest.

It is normal for fledglings to fall or jump out of the nest. This is the stage of their life where they learn how to fly. The mother bird will continue to feed the baby on the ground.

If you find a baby bird that does not have any feathers, the best thing to do would be to place it back in its nest. The mother will not reject the baby if it has been touched by a person.

Am I sure the bird is an orphan?

If you found a baby bird that is gaping (opening it's mouth) and is warm, it is best to put this type of bird back in the nest.

On the other hand if the baby bird you found is cold and not gaping, it is in need of special attention. In this case please put the bird in something warm and soft and get it to your local wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.