DOES THIS FLEDGLING NEED HELP?

If you find me on the ground, stay close and monitor the area as my parents are probably nearby! They might be out gathering my food or driving away predators that might come too close. Please be patient and wait, they're very likely to come back.

I have found a bird on the ground, what do I do?

Young birds that have developed most or all of their feathers are called fledglings. They start leaving the nest primarily to practice flying and to strengthen their wing muscles. When fledglings are on the ground, they might not be able to return to the nest due to their lack of strength. Typically, their parents will keep feeding them while they are on the ground.

Will the parent birds care for the bird?

Fledglings are fed by their parents who are usually nearby gathering food or chasing away predators. If they notice you nearby, they will wait until you leave to return. If you are worried about a bird on the ground step back or monitor from a distance. If the parents haven't returned in a few hours, its getting dark and they are out in the open intervention might be necessary.

Can I handle the bird?

There is a myth that if you touch a baby animal, the parents will detect the human scent and abandon it. This is false. If you have picked up a chick, place it back or nearby where you found it, and the parents will continue to care for it. If you discover a young bird on the road or in a very exposed area and it is not injured, you can try to place it somewhere nearby, like a low branch or shrub, where there is some cover and it is safer. If you observe that the chick has not been fed or protected by its parents, or has been on the ground for more than a day without parental care, please contact your nearest wildlife rescue.

Please don’t be tempted to take birds home and try to raise me on your own.

Magpies require experienced care and a nutritious diets and when it comes to raising them they need a permitted wildlife carer.

My cat\dog caught a bird - What Should i do?

The saliva of dogs and cats is fatal to our native wildlife. Toxicity can occur quickly, so it's crucial for an injured bird to receive veterinary care immediately. If a vet is unavailable, contact your closes wildlife rescue.

*If you notice a fledgling in your yard learning to fly try to reduce the time your pets are in the yard with them, they will be flying soon but please allow them time to practice*