Sophie Bennett
If you come across a chick that has fallen from its nest, your first instinct may be to help it. However, it is important to first assess whether the chick is injured or ill, and if it looks healthy, it is best to leave it alone as the parents are likely nearby. If the chick is injured, you should put on gloves and gently place it in a small container with paper towels or newspaper, leaving it in a calm, quiet place. You should then contact your local wildlife rescue centre or vet, or a wildlife rehabilitator, so that you can bring the chick to a professional caregiver.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First steps | Evaluate if the chick is injured, ill, or orphaned. |
| What to do if the chick is injured or orphaned | Put on gloves, pick it up, and place it in a small bowl lined with paper towels. Avoid feeding the chick and contact your local wildlife center or a wildlife rehabilitator. |
| What to do if the chick is uninjured | Determine if the chick is a nestling or a fledgling. If it is a nestling, locate the nest and place the chick back in it. If it is a fledgling, do not put it back in the nest, but place it on a nearby perch out of harm's way. |
| Creating a new nest | If the nest is damaged or cannot be found, create a replacement nest by using a basket or plant pot with nesting material and attach it securely to the nearest tree. |
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What You'll Learn
Check if the chick is injured or ill
If you find a chick that has fallen from its nest, it is important to first assess whether it is injured or ill. If the chick is visibly injured, with signs of bleeding, cuts, punctures, or broken limbs, it requires immediate attention. Additionally, if the chick is shivering or making low noises, it may be in distress and need assistance.
It is crucial to determine the chick's age, as this will influence the next steps. A hatchling is between 0-3 days old and typically has no feathers, thin down, or very early feathers. Their eyes are closed, and they are unable to produce their own body heat. If you come across a hatchling that has fallen from its nest, it is essential to act quickly and seek professional help.
Nestlings are between 3-13 days old and have started to develop feathers, often with spiky pin feathers. Their eyes may be open, but they lack the ability to stand, hop, walk, or grip things with their feet. If you find a nestling on the ground, it may have accidentally fallen or been pushed out by its parents. Nestlings are fragile and require immediate assistance, so contacting a wildlife rescue centre is recommended. They will advise you on the best course of action, such as safely returning the bird to its nest or seeking veterinary care.
Fledglings are older than 14 days and have more developed feathers, but their tails and wings are usually shorter than an adult's. They are often found on the ground as they are encouraged or pushed out of the nest by their parents. Fledglings typically do not return to the nest after leaving. If a fledgling is in immediate danger, such as from pets or vehicles, it is advisable to move it to a safe location nearby, ensuring the parents can still locate it.
If you are unsure about the chick's age or condition, it is always best to contact a wildlife rehabilitation centre or veterinarian for guidance. They can provide specific instructions on creating a temporary nest or advise if the chick needs to be brought in for professional care.
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If uninjured, give the chick's parents time to rescue it
If a baby bird falls out of its nest, the first thing to do is to check if it is injured or ill. If the bird is uninjured and you can see the nest or the parents nearby, it is best to give the parents some time to rescue the chick. It is a myth that touching a baby bird will cause its parents to reject it. The parents may only visit the nest briefly, so they may be feeding the baby bird even if you don't see them.
If the chick is healthy, even if it can't fly, and doesn't seem to be in danger, it should be left alone. Fledglings are young birds that have just left the nest, and while they can't fly yet, they are still under the care of their parents and do not need our help. They are generally feathered and capable of hopping or flitting, with toes that can grip your finger or a twig. When fledglings leave their nest, they rarely return, so even if you see the nest, it is not a good idea to put the bird back in—it will hop back out. Usually, there is no reason to intervene beyond putting the bird on a nearby perch out of harm's way and keeping pets indoors.
If the chick is a nestling, the nest is likely to be nearby. Nestlings often still have some bare skin showing and may be sparsely feathered and not capable of hopping, walking, flitting, or gripping tightly to your finger. If you can find the nest, put the bird back as quickly as possible. If the nest has been destroyed, you can make a new one, placing the chick back inside and watching to see if the parents come back.
If the chick's parents haven't returned after a few hours, you may need to contact a wildlife rehabilitation centre. However, it is important to remember that most of the time, the best thing to do is to leave the bird alone.
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If injured, wear gloves and place the chick in a small box
If a chick has fallen from its nest and appears injured, it's important to take immediate action to ensure its safety and well-being. Here's what you should do:
Wear Gloves
When assisting an injured chick, it's crucial to prioritize your safety and well-being. Wear gloves to protect yourself from any potential diseases, parasites, or injuries that the chick might carry. This is an important precaution, even if the chick appears healthy, as some pathogens can be transmitted without visible signs of illness.
Assess the Situation
Before placing the chick in a box, take a moment to assess its condition. Look for any visible signs of injury, such as a broken limb, bleeding, or difficulty breathing. If the chick appears to be in distress or is visibly injured, it's important to act quickly but carefully.
Prepare a Small Box
Get a small cardboard box and make some holes in it to ensure proper ventilation. Line the bottom of the box with paper towels, soft cloth, or shredded paper to make a comfortable and absorbent bed for the chick. Place the box in a quiet, calm, and secure location, away from any potential disturbances or predators.
Handle the Chick with Care
Gently pick up the chick, being mindful of its potential injuries. Avoid touching it more than necessary, as stress can further endanger its health. Place the chick inside the prepared box, ensuring it is comfortable and secure. If the chick appears to be shivering or cold, you can provide a gentle source of warmth, such as a heating pad set to low or a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel.
Contact a Wildlife Professional
Once the chick is safely in the box, avoid attempting to feed it. Different bird species have specific dietary needs, and feeding it the wrong food could cause further complications. Instead, contact your local wildlife center or a bird specialist to seek professional advice and assistance. They will be able to provide the best care for the injured chick and increase its chances of recovery.
Remember, it's important to act with urgency but also caution when rescuing an injured chick. Your primary goal is to keep the chick safe and comfortable until it can receive professional care.
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If the nest is nearby, put the chick back
If you come across a chick that has fallen from its nest, your first instinct might be to help it. However, it is important to first determine whether the chick is injured, ill, or healthy. If the chick is healthy and doesn't appear to be in danger, it is best to leave it alone, as most of the time, the chick does not need your help. The chick's parents may be watching from afar and will return to care for it.
If the chick is a fledgling—a young bird that has left the nest and can hop or flit with fully grown feathers—it is normal to see them on the ground, and they rarely return to the nest. In this case, you should not put the chick back in the nest, but you can move it to a nearby perch out of harm's way and keep your pets away. The chick's parents will continue to care for it.
If the chick is a nestling—a sparsely feathered bird that cannot hop, walk, or grip your finger—the nest is likely nearby. If you can find the nest, you should put the chick back as soon as possible. It is a myth that touching a baby bird will cause its parents to reject it. If the nest has been destroyed, you can make a new one by using a basket or plant pot with nesting material and securely attaching it to the nearest tree. Then, observe from a distance to see if the chick's parents return.
If the chick is injured or in immediate danger, put on gloves, gently pick it up, and place it in a small container lined with paper towels or newspaper. Do not attempt to feed the chick, and contact your local wildlife rescue centre or veterinarian right away.
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If the nest is destroyed, make a new one
If the nest is destroyed, you can make a new one, place the chick back inside, and watch to see if the parents come back. It is a myth that touching a baby bird will cause its parents to reject it. The nest can be as simple as a basket or plant pot with some nesting material inside, securely attached to the nearest tree. If the chick is a fledgling, it is normal to see them on the ground as they are nearly fully feathered and leave the nest just before they can fly. In this case, you should leave the fledgling alone and monitor it, as the parents are usually nearby and feeding the bird.
If the chick is a nestling, it is imperative to act fast as they cannot keep themselves warm. You can create a temporary nest by making holes in a cardboard box and lining the bottom with paper, then putting the chick inside. Remember to wear gloves and limit your handling of the bird. If the chick has its eyes closed or is featherless, it is a nestling and is not ready to leave the nest. If you can locate the nest nearby, place the nestling back in the nest. If you cannot locate the nest, leave the nestling where you found it or move it to a shaded area. The parents will come back.
If the chick is injured or in immediate danger, you should contact your local wildlife rescue centre or vet. An injured baby bird will need specialist care and rehabilitation to survive.
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Frequently asked questions
First, determine whether the bird is a nestling or a fledgling. Nestlings often still have some bare skin showing and are unable to hop, walk, flit, or grip your finger. Fledglings are feathered and capable of hopping or flitting, with toes that can grip your finger or a twig. If it's a nestling, try to locate the nest and place the bird back inside. If the nest has been destroyed, you can make a replacement nest. If it's a fledgling, it should be left alone, as the parents are likely nearby.
Put on gloves and gently pick up the chick. Place it in a small bowl or cardboard box lined with paper towels or newspaper. Avoid feeding the chick and contact your local wildlife centre or veterinarian right away.
If you can't find the nest, leave the chick where you found it or move it to a shaded area. The parents will come back.
If the chick has been orphaned or the parents haven't returned after a few hours, contact a wildlife rehabilitation centre.
Yes, it's a myth that touching a baby bird will cause its parents to reject it.
