Return a fallen chick to its nest
![[Corel] A whitetailed flycatcher feeds her brood](extra-2002-08-16-flycatcher.jpg) Q: My great grandma picked up a baby robin red breast that fell out of a tree. She's been feeding it
until it could fly on it's own. The bird is now ready to fly but the mom has left. What can we do? --
"Susan H." When a human touches a bird's nest, does the mother bird really reject the young? --
"Bird",
Santa Barbara, CA
A: First, Susan's question. I asked John Bianchi at the Audubon Society for his advice. He says:
[Corel] A whitetailed flycatcher feeds her brood
"This bird may very well be imprinted on humans, and once it's been kept by people for a few weeks, it's very
unlikely it will survive long in the wild. Once a songbird can fly, it generally stays a few weeks with the parent
birds to learn the ropes of life outside the nest; this bird won't get that education and we can't give it to him."
She should contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator soon for guidance. Depending on the bird's condition, she
may be able to release it or a wildlife educator may have to care for the bird as long as it lives.
John answers "Bird's" question about touching a nest:
"If any of your readers come across baby birds that have fallen from the nest before fledging, they should return them to the nest
immediately." The mother bird does not reject the young.
Otherwise (if unable to reach the nest), they should call a wildlife rehabilitator immediately. The surrogate mom must feed the baby bird
the right foods, almost constantly.
(Answered Aug. 16, 2002)
Further Surfing:
Southeastern Outdoors, How to locate a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in the USA
National Audubon Society
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