Read

May/June 2005 Living Now
Baby Birds: If You Love Them, Leave Them

Now that spring is here and we are outside enjoying warmer, dryer weather, it is the time of year when we are more likely to come across birds that have left their nests and are learning how to fly. Portland is home to 2009 different bird species and birds can be found nesting even in the most urbanized parts of the city.

Many species of birds such as robins, scrub jays, crows and owls leave the nest and spend as many as 2-5 days on the ground before they can fly. This is a normal and vital part of their development. They are cared for and protected by their parents and are taught essential life skills such as how to find food, identify predators, and species-specific vocalizations during this period.

Fledgling birds that are learning to fly are usually almost fully feathered. They are able to walk, hop and flap and may attempt short flights, but are still being cared for by the parents. If you find a fledgling, it should be left alone or, at the most, placed into a nearby shrub. Keep people and pets away so the parents will continue to care for it until it can fly. Although you may not see the parents, they are almost always close-by, perhaps watching from a nearby branch or rooftop. Even though the young bird may appear vulnerable, taking these birds away from their parents to raise them in captivity puts them at even greater risk. It denies them the opportunity to learn the skills that they will ultimately need to survive in the wild. Moving fledglings to entirely new locations is ineffective as they are still dependant on their parents for survival and will quickly starve if relocated.

If you are concerned that the bird fell from the nest too early, you may try to return the bird to its nest. If the nest has been destroyed or is unreachable, you may substitute a strawberry basket and suspend it from a branch near to where you believe the nest is located. Birds have a poor sense of smell and very strong parental instincts and will usually continue caring for their young. However, adult birds are cautious after any type of disturbance and it may take several hours before they approach the nestling. During this period it is essential that humans not approach the nestling.

As difficult as it may be, oftentimes the best thing you can do is leave a baby bird alone and try to reduce neighborhood hazards. A baby bird may seem helpless and vulnerable, but many do survive even in the most urban of locations. While it may feel safer, removing young birds from the wild usually reduces their chance for survival.

If you find a baby bird that is injured or you know to be orphaned, you may bring it to the Wildlife Care Center between the hours of nine and five, seven days a week or you can call or email our Urban Wildlife Resource Office for additional information.

Urban Wildlife Resource Office and Wildlife Care Center, Audubon Society of Portland, 5151 NW Cornell Drive, Portland, OR 97210. (503) 503-292-0304
www.audubonportland.org
urbanwildlife@audubonportland.org