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