Fledglings
Rescue Measures
Here are the steps
you should take if you've accidentally rescued a fledgling
(feathered) bird.
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1- Return The
Bird Outdoors
If you rescued a
fledgling today, there is still time to return it to where you
found it in the hopes that the parents will return for it. If the
area where you found the bird presents dangers, then place the
bird in the closest safe spot available.
You should remain
at a discreet distance to observe the bird to make sure it
remains safe, and to confirm that the parents have returned for
it.
2- Overnight
Care
If the parents do
not return, you may be compelled to rescue the bird again. Be
aware that this is not necessarily the best thing to do.
Captivity is a great stress on fledglings. It is also very normal
for some species of birds to be left alone at night by their
parents.
If some danger
exists in leaving the bird out all night, try to deal with the
danger first. (ex. keep your cat in for the night, turn off
outdoor lighting, etc.)
If there really
seems to be no other option but to bring the bird indoors for the
night, place him in a cage or box lined with cloth. Unless you
are positive the bird is starving, offer him no food. Cover the
cage or box with a towel, and leave him in a dark, quiet room for
the night.
As soon as it is
daylight, you may return the bird to the same location outside
where you originally found him. Keep him under supervision, but
do not approach or disturb him.
If the parents do
not return, and the bird stays basically in one spot, and does
not seem to be eating, then you may intervene with a bonafide
rescue.
3- Assess The
Bird's Age And Health
Sometimes, a lone
fledgling may have been abandoned by the parents due to sickness
or injury. Other times, what appears to be
an abandoned fledgling is in fact a sick or
injured adult. Unless you can get these birds to
a professional rehabilitator, odds are extremely low that they
will survive in your care. And they could pose a health danger to
you.
4- Find A
Professional Rehabilitator
Contact a
rehabilitator in your region, since they are best qualified to
help the bird. Use the hyperlink provided at the bottom of this
page.
5- Properly Identifying The Fledgling
If there really
aren't any rehabilitators in your area, then you'll probably be
wanting to care for the bird yourself. Follow the link provided
below to reach the "Fledgling ID" page. Once you have
properly identified the fledgling, adjust the care given as
outlined on the 'Species Info.'. I have few pictures at present, so
descriptions on the ID page are verbal.
6- Special
Fledgling Issues
Here are a few
notes that you should be aware of before proceeding with the next
page.
Even if
you have had a fledgling in your care for a couple of
days, it is still worth a try to reacquaint it with its
parents, in the manner outlined above. I have had one
report of a bird being successfully returned to its
parents after 2 days and nights of captivity.
Fledglings
should not be handled without gloves. Over handling could
lead to feather damage, which is usually not visible, and
is often deadly for them when they are released.
Rescued
fledglings should be fed adult bird foods appropriate to
the species. You'll find a listing of acceptable adult
foods by species on the 'Species Info.' page.
If a
fledgling is unwilling to eat any adult foods you offer,
a very small amount of formula from the 'Recipes' page may be given to stimulate
his appetite. This should be discontinued as soon as
possible in preference to adult foods.
Rescued
fledglings that are otherwise healthy, may simply not eat
because they are scared. Do not attempt to force feed the
bird, which will only provide more stress and could
injure them. Make sure his area is quiet and well-lit
during the day, and leave the room so they can eat in
peace. Hunger will usually win out in the end.
7- Important
Pages To Read
Be sure to check
out both the "Species Info." and "Release" pages. Both are required reading
for those who have rescued a fledgling.
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This website is not intended
to replace the expert care that is only available by professional
rehabilitators. The use of this website is only intended for
those where the option of bringing an orphaned bird to a
rehabilitator is not possible. By raising a wild bird yourself,
you greatly diminish it's chances for survival. Please check this
link for a rehabilitation center in your community:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm. If none are listed
near you, call a local animal shelter, veterinarian, or wildlife
office/agent for information on local rescue centers. Thank you.
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Last updated:05/10/2006