Many people contact us after observing young birds on the ground. Some of the young birds may need our help, while others manage without human intervention. It can be difficult to know what to do, and what not to do, when you come across a young bird. Here are some good tips.
Help
Young bird without feathers
If the young bird has not yet developed feathers, it needs help. This is what you should do:
First and foremost, see if there is a nest nearby where the young bird can be placed back. If you cannot find the young bird’s nest or the nest has fallen down, you can try to create a replacement. You can use a small basket or pot, which you cover with soft material, such as wool. Attach your new nest to the tree and wait to see if the parents find their young. It is important to ensure that the nest is not placed in direct sunlight. If the tree with the original nest has been cut down, you can hang the new nest in a neighboring tree. Keep the nest under supervision for a few hours to see if the parents find it. If no parents have appeared during this time, you should take the bird to the nearest rescue organization or veterinarian.
Young bird with feathers
Some young birds leave the nest before they have learned to fly. These have plumage and move around on the ground, but cannot fly. They may look clumsy and even injured, but usually the parents are nearby watching over and feeding them. This is a critical period for the young birds, but it is something they must go through to learn to fly.
If you believe that the feathered young bird is sick or injured, it needs help. Contact a veterinarian.
If you believe it is not sick or injured, but is in a place where it is in danger, you can move it to the nearest safe area – as close as possible to where you found it.
Lost parents
It is important to check whether the young bird has a mother or father. If you find a dead adult bird in the area, keep the young bird under supervision for a couple of hours to see if the surviving parent is nearby. If no parents have appeared within a couple of hours, you should take the bird to the nearest rescue organization or veterinarian.
If you find two dead adult birds nearby, you should take the bird to the nearest rescue organization or veterinarian.
We remind you that veterinary costs for emergency care (simple health assessment/euthanasia) are covered by the state and that you therefore do not need to pay for such veterinary treatment.
