Claire Thompson
Finding a wild chick is not uncommon, especially during the warmer months. The first thing to do is to assess the situation and determine whether the chick is injured or orphaned. If the chick is visibly injured or has a deceased parent nearby, it is important to locate your nearest wildlife rehabilitation centre or veterinarian. If the chick is uninjured, it is likely that its parents are still caring for it, and it is best to give them space and avoid interfering. If the chick is on the ground or in an unsafe location, you can gently move it to a safer spot, ensuring it is still within hearing range of its parents. In most cases, the best course of action is to leave the chick alone and allow nature to take its course.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First steps to take | Assess the situation, look for cause of injury, and check if the chick is orphaned |
| Intervention | In most cases, the chick does not need help. Intervening can make the situation worse. |
| Determining the type of chick | Nestling or fledgling. Nestlings are sparsely feathered and cannot hop, walk, flit, or grip. Fledglings are feathered and can hop, flit, and grip with their toes |
| Returning the chick to its nest | If the nest is nearby, return the chick as quickly as possible. If the nest is destroyed, create a new one and observe if the parents return |
| Licensed wildlife rehabilitator | If the chick is injured or orphaned, locate a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Call ahead and make arrangements before transporting the chick |
| Professional assistance | Injured birds require professional assistance. Locate the nearest wildlife rehab centre or vet |
| Cat owners | Keep cats indoors during the spring and summer fledgling season to protect baby birds |
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What You'll Learn
- If the chick is injured, locate your nearest wildlife rehab centre or vet
- If the chick is orphaned, place it in a hanging basket so its parents can continue to feed it
- If the chick is a nestling, put it back in its nest
- If the chick is a fledgling, do not put it back in its nest
- If you can't find the chick's nest, make a new one
If the chick is injured, locate your nearest wildlife rehab centre or vet
If the chick is injured, your first step should be to locate your nearest wildlife rehab centre or vet. You can do this by searching for your state or country and "wildlife rehabilitation". If you are in the US, The Humane Society of the United States also has a page to help you locate a wildlife rehabilitator in your state. In Massachusetts, you can call MassWildlife at 508-389-6300. In Ireland, you can refer to the Irish Wildlife Matters website, which provides a wildlife first aid resource with full details of what to do and whom to contact.
If the chick is injured and you are unable to locate a wildlife rehabilitator or vet, you may have no choice but to rescue it. You should gently pick it up with your hands, taking care not to cause further injury. If the chick is cold to the touch, warming it is very important. You can do this by placing it in a small container (a box or bowl) lined with facial tissues. You should then contact a wildlife professional for further advice.
If the chick is bleeding, has a broken limb, is shivering, or has a deceased parent nearby, it is important to act quickly. In these cases, it is likely that the chick will need emergency care until you can get it to a wildlife rehabilitator. While you may be tempted to care for the chick yourself, this can often reduce its chances of survival.
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If the chick is orphaned, place it in a hanging basket so its parents can continue to feed it
If you find a wild chick that appears to be orphaned, your first instinct may be to help it. However, it is important to remember that in most cases, young birds do not need assistance and intervening can sometimes do more harm than good. It is also important to note that most states require permits or licenses to rehabilitate wildlife, so it is always best to call a professional first.
That being said, if you do find an orphaned chick, creating a temporary nest for it can help keep it safe and give its parents a chance to continue feeding it. One way to do this is to place the chick in a hanging basket. This method is particularly useful if the original nest has been destroyed or is too high to reach. Woven stick baskets that resemble natural nests are ideal, as they allow rain to pass through so the birds don't drown. Make sure the basket is shallow and not too deep, as adult birds won't jump into something they can't see out of.
Place the hanging basket close to where the original nest was, and put the chick inside. Observe from a distance for at least an hour to see if the parent birds return to the new nest to feed their chick. If the chick is on the ground, make sure to keep cats indoors and dogs leashed to prevent them from harming the chick while you wait for its parents to return.
If the parents do not return after a reasonable amount of time, or if the chick is injured or in imminent danger, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for further assistance. These professionals have the necessary equipment, food, and knowledge to properly care for orphaned chicks and ensure the best possible outcome for their rehabilitation.
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If the chick is a nestling, put it back in its nest
If you find a wild chick, your first instinct may be to help it. However, in most cases, the chick does not need assistance. Intervening can often worsen the situation. If the chick is visibly injured, it will need professional assistance, so locate your nearest wildlife rehab centre or vet. If the chick is uninjured, its parents are likely nearby and still caring for it. Give the chick space to avoid spooking the parents. If the chick is on a busy road, gently encourage it to hop into the undergrowth. You can pick it up and move it a short distance, ensuring it remains within hearing range of its parents.
It is a myth that parent birds will reject their offspring if handled by humans. Parent birds do not recognise their young by smell and will not abandon a chick that has been touched. However, if they notice you nearby, they may perceive you as a threat and try to protect their chick. Therefore, it is essential to give wild chicks space and only intervene if absolutely necessary.
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![Emergency Wild Bird Care [Article]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81dn5h6pxcL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
If the chick is a fledgling, do not put it back in its nest
If you find a wild chick, your first instinct may be to help it. However, in most cases, the chick does not need assistance. Intervening can often worsen the situation. If the chick is visibly injured or has a broken limb, is bleeding, shivering, or has a dead parent nearby, it needs help. If the chick is uninjured, its parents are likely nearby and still caring for it. You should give young chicks space to avoid spooking their parents.
If the chick is a fledgling, it is a baby bird that has grown up enough to leave its nest. Fledglings are fully feathered but can look fluffy and dishevelled. They can hop or flit and have toes that can grip your finger or a twig. When fledglings leave their nest, they rarely return, so it is not advisable to put the bird back in, as it will hop right back out. Instead, you should step back and observe the chick for around an hour. You will likely see the parent birds swoop down and try to encourage the chick to safety. If the chick is in a dangerous location, such as a busy road, you can gently encourage it to move to a safer spot, as long as it is still in hearing range of its parents.
If you cannot find the chick's nest or the nest is destroyed, you can make a new one. Line a small cardboard box or lightweight pot with grass cuttings and tissue, and place it off the ground in the tree or foliage where you found the chick. The parents are probably close by, waiting for you to leave, and will continue to feed the chick.
If the chick is injured, locate your nearest wildlife rehab centre or vet. You should not attempt to feed the chick or give it a drink, as this can cause more harm than good.
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If you can't find the chick's nest, make a new one
If you come across a wild chick and are unable to locate its nest, it is important to understand whether the bird is a nestling or a fledgling. Nestlings are easily identifiable as they have no feathers or very few feathers, and are not capable of hopping, walking, flitting, or gripping tightly to your finger. If you find a nestling on the ground, it is too young to be outside the nest and will not survive in the open. In this case, if you are unable to locate the nest, you can create a new one. Place the chick inside and observe from a distance to see if the parents return. If they do not return after a couple of hours, contact a wildlife centre for advice.
Fledglings, on the other hand, are more developed and have most of their feathers. They can hop, perch, and flutter. When fledglings leave their nest, they rarely return. Therefore, if you find a fledgling, it is best to leave it alone and not attempt to put it back in its nest. The parents are usually nearby, watching from a distance or gathering food. If the fledgling is in a dangerous location, such as near a road, gently move it to a safer spot nearby.
If the chick you find is injured or unwell, it is important to take it to a professional wildlife rehabilitator or rescue centre. Most birds require federal permits for rehabilitation, so it is crucial to contact a licensed professional. You can find a wildlife rehabilitator by searching online or contacting your local state agency or conservation organizations like Help Wildlife or the RSPCA.
Creating a new nest for a wild chick can be done using a free-draining container, such as a plant pot or takeaway pot with holes in the bottom. Place the container in a sheltered part of a tree above the first branch and put the chick inside. Observe from a distance to see if the parents return to care for their chick.
Remember, it is always best to leave wild chicks alone unless they are in imminent danger or visibly injured. Most of the time, their parents are nearby and will continue to care for them.
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Frequently asked questions
If the chick is injured, locate your nearest wildlife rehab centre or vet and transport the chick there. If it is uninjured, it is best to leave it alone as the parents are likely nearby and still caring for it. If the chick is in a dangerous location, such as a busy road, gently move it to a safer place nearby.
If the chick is uninjured but you can't find its nest, you can make a new nest by lining a small cardboard box or lightweight pot with grass cuttings and tissue. Place the new nest in a tree or foliage near where you found the chick.
No, parent birds do not reject their young if they have been touched by humans.
If the chick is sparsely feathered and not capable of hopping, walking, flitting, or gripping your finger, it may be injured. Additionally, look for visible signs of injury, such as a broken limb or bleeding.
