It is baby season, so what do you do if you find a baby bird?

If you find a baby bird that has fallen from a nest, you can simply put it back into the nest if you are able to reach it safely. The bird's parents will continue caring for the baby bird even if a person has touched it. If the bird is unfeathered and you are not able to put it back into the nest, bring the baby inside and place it in a box (with airholes already cut into the box) and keep the bird warm by using a hot water battle, warm water in a Ziploc bag that is double bagged to prevent water leaking or a heating pad set on low. Be sure to check often to make sure the heat source is not too hot or getting cold. Close the box and place it (with the heat source) in a dark, quiet area away from children and pets. Do not give the bird anything to eat or drink. Call a local rehabilitator as soon as possible.

Follow up:

If the bird has feathers and you are not able to reach the nest to replace it, you can make a nest using a small basket with soft bedding placed inside it for warmth. Hang this new “nest” as close to the original nest as possible. The baby’s parents will continue feeding and caring for babies in both nests. Try to hide this new nest under the leaves of the tree or the eaves of your house making sure it is beyond the reach of cats, raccoons and crows. You may need to bring this human made nest inside during bad weather and place it back outside when the weather clears.

Fledglings are young birds that have recently acquired flight feathers and are often found hopping on the ground unable to fly. These fledgling birds are still being cared for by the parents and are not usually in need of rescue. If you feel the fledgling is in a dangerous area such as a street, herd the bird to a safer location away from traffic. You can even set it up high in a bush which may help protect him from predators. Keep kids, dogs and cats away from the fledging so that the bird's parent can continue feeding and protecting the fledgling.

Anytime you find a bird that is injured, especially a bird that has been caught by cat, you will need to get the bird to a rehabber immediately. Cat bites are leathal if the animal is not treated with antibiotics.