Young birds are tougher than they look
The RSPB has seen a surge in people wanting to help ‘abandoned’ baby birds, but you should leave fledglings alone, says the charity.
It is urging bird lovers not to intervene during this vital stage in their development. The plaintive cries of tiny fledglings leaving the nest for the first time can feel impossible to resist. However, it is crucial that fledglings are left alone, and it is normal for them to be flightless at first. Don’t forget to clean bird feeders – they can lead to disease.
RSPB Wildlife Advisor Mey Duek said: “Every year we get inundated with calls from people worried about an abandoned chick in their garden, desperately calling for its mum.
Why you should leave fledglings alone – Parent nearby
“It’s extremely unlikely they have been deserted. In many cases, there is a parent nearby keeping a beady eye on their chick’s progress or collecting food. Fledglings may appear dainty, but they are tougher than they look. They typically spend a day or two on the ground before they are ready to spread their wings and take flight for the first time. Mum and Dad know tough love is the only way their young will learn to fend for themselves. The chicks must be left alone.”
Removing a young bird from the wild significantly reduces its chances of long-term survival.
Better off in the wild
An RSPCA spokesperson said: “Each year, the RSPCA’s wildlife centres care for around 1,000 fledgling birds, picked up by well-meaning people. Unfortunately, many of these birds are not orphans and, in most cases, would have been better off if they had been left in the wild.
“Fledglings have all or most of their feathers and leave the nest just before they can fly. The parents are usually nearby and feeding the baby bird. In comparison, nestlings are baby birds that have little or no feathers and will not survive long outside the nest. If you find a nestling out of the nest, you should ask for advice from your nearest wildlife rehabilitator.”
A visual guide on what to do if you’ve found a baby bird out of the nest is available on the RSPB website. The only times when the public should lend a friendly helping hand:
Leave fledglings alone except in immediate danger
If the baby bird is found on a busy road or path, pick the bird up and move it a short distance to a safer place (dense shrubbery). This must be within hearing distance of where the fledgling was found.
UK birds have a poor sense of smell and will not abandon their young because of human contact. If you discover your cat or dog eyeing up a fledgling, try to keep it indoors for a couple of days, or at least around dawn and dusk.
Injury
If an injured fledgling is discovered, report it immediately to the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
Why you should leave fledglings alone – Nestlings
If a baby bird is discovered on the ground that is either unfeathered or covered only in its fluffy nestling down, it has likely fallen out ahead of schedule. Very occasionally, it is possible to put these babies back, but only if you are sure of the nest it has fallen from, and it’s safe to do so. Sometimes a parent bird will intentionally eject a chick from the nest if they sense it has an underlying health problem or is dying.
Grounded young swifts
If you find a fallen swift, gently put it in a safe and calm environment, such as a shoebox and keep it away from any disturbance. You can give it water by running a wet cotton bud around the edge of the beak, avoiding the nostrils. The RSPB recommends you contact a swift carer from this list.
Barn owl chicks
It is not normal for young barn owls to be out of the nest before they can fly. In this case, the baby does need a hand, as owlets on the ground will usually be ignored by parents. Owlets should be gently placed back in their nest. For more information, visit the Barn Owl Trust.
