Abandoned Baby Birds

This recently fledged Blue Jay is not in need of help.

Beginning in early May and building into July, there is a flood of baby birds. Many of them are found on the ground with no adult bird in sight, and nothing is quite so helpless looking as a baby bird hopping around the yard chirping continuously. Every one of us feels a strong urge to help the "abandoned" youngster. But for the sake of the bird, this well-intentioned act should be avoided.

Many baby birds leave the nest before they can fly well. This is normal. The parents are, with very few exceptions, close by. They may even be waiting and waiting for the large animal (that’s you) to move away before they will fly in to feed the young bird. If a baby bird is in immediate danger from cars or cats, move it a short distance, place it among cover plants and leave the area. Unless you have direct knowledge that both parent birds have been killed, it is best to assume that one or both parents are available to care for it. Even though our emotions compel us to help the little baby bird, it is better to remember that young birds rarely survive the good intentions of the humans who attempt to raise them.

If you do have to move a baby bird to safety, you can skip the surgical gloves and haz-mat suit so you can safely touch it. The old wives tale that the parent birds will smell your scent and disown the baby is absolutely not true. Most birds have a very poor sense of smell, and the parents will simply be relieved that you didn't eat their offspring!