Date: 05/06/09
Contact: Doug Nielsen
Phone: (702) 486-5127 x 3500

“I FOUND A BABY BIRD. NOW WHAT?”

It’s spring and the calls are coming in to the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). “I found a baby bird. What should I do?” the callers often ask.

Juvenile birds will occasionally fall out of the nest. It may be accidental, or some may be rejected by the parents. Older chicks may just be testing their wings. In any case, many folks are concerned about how they can help these birds when they find them.

“The best thing you can do for a baby bird that has fallen out of the nest is to put it back,” says Cris Tomlinson, supervisory diversity biologist for NDOW. “Being touched by a human does not make them unwanted by the parents. But don’t over handle them.”

If you can’t find the nest immediately nearby, put the juveniles in a shrub or other vegetation where they will have cover to protect them from predators. The parents will likely find them again. Remember, they will be better able to feed and take care of their young than you will and the young will have a much greater chance at learning to survive from their parents, Tomlinson said.

The most common young birds that are found on the ground in the Las Vegas area are house sparrows, finches, starlings, mourning doves, grackles and northern mockingbirds. Raptor fledglings may also be found, but take care when approaching these. Some species, such as the American kestrel and northern mockingbird, will dive at intruders in an effort to protect their young. In addition, raptors and many songbirds are migratory birds that are protected by law. It is illegal to keep them, so do not attempt to care for these young animals yourself.

Other migratory birds that may have found their way into your yard include ducks. If you find two adult ducks or a pair in your pool that may mean they are thinking about nesting or may have already nested. It is best to discourage the adults from your pool before they nest. Once you find a nest, eggs or ducklings, the birds cannot be disturbed. Also, the ducks cannot be driven from the nest. They must be allowed to leave on their own. Ducklings may not be able to escape the pool. Homeowners can help by draping a piece of cloth or placing a board into the pool from one side so that they can climb out.

A good rule of thumb is “nature knows best.” The exception is when feral cats are around or the bird is in some other imminent danger. You can find more information on urban wildlife interactions at www.ndow.org/about/pubs/brochure/urbanwild.pdf.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.