Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune
Fledgling: Birds that are old enough to leave their nesting site but might still be dependent on adults for care and feeding. Fledglings might or might not be able to fly at this time. The term also is used to refer to birds that have acquired flight feathers and are able for the first time to fly.
If you find a baby bird
Some baby birds found out of the nest belong there. Many young birds become mobile before they can fly, and it’s part of the natural development of some species to spend some time on the ground.
Young birds that are fully feathered are likely to have fledged, or left the nest, on their own. In those cases, the parent birds are best equipped to care for them. Well-meaning intervention by humans is usually not necessary and can be harmful.
However, if you see a sparsely feathered young bird or a bird covered only with down, it may have fallen from the nest. Return the bird to the nest if you can do so safely. If you can’t find the nest and no parent birds are in view, build a temporary nest of a small box filled with leaves or grass and secure it in a tree. Leave the area and wait for the parents’ return. If the parents don’t return in a couple of hours, bring the bird indoors, keep it warm and try to find a wildlife rehabilitator by calling a veterinarian, a local nature center or a local humane society.
For more information on caring for orphaned baby birds, call the Animal Humane Society at 763-522-4325 and ask for the baby birds discussion on wildlife info line or call the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at 651-486-9410.
JIM WILLIAMS
