Pet Talk with Vicki Davis

Introduction: Every spring and summer hundreds of young, orphaned birds are brought to licensed wildlife rehabilitators and facilities. Often these birds are not true orphans. Here is some information of identifying, caring for and transporting orphaned birds. Be sure to contact a licensed rehabilitator for instructions, (contact information available at the end of this text) or to answer your questions before proceeding.

Orphan Identification: An orphaned bird is a young bird whose natural parents are known to be dead and who is too young to survive on its own. Before rescuing a bird, make sure it really needs your help. Each spring, many young birds are mistakenly taken from their parents by well meaning humans.

Surprising as it may seem, few young birds need human intervention in order to survive. In many cases, the most successful strategy is to leave young birds alone. However, if they appear ill or injured, or you have witnessed the death of the parents, a call to a wildlife rehabilitator will help determine the best action to take. Please read on to see how best to handle infant birds.

Nestlings: Nestlings are infant birds having little or no feathering. They may be pink or covered with soft down or needle like projections called pin feathers. These are the most helpless of young birds and require intensive care. They have specialized needs and whenever possible it is best to return these delicate birds to the care of their parents. The best course of action, if you have found the nest, is to safely return the infant to it.

Birds have a poorly developed sense of smell and do not reject their young after human handling. However, this does not mean that a bird would not abandon a nest site that is constantly being disturbed by humans.

If you find an entire nest on the ground, which often happens after windy storms, replace it in the nearest tree, high enough off the ground so it is not vulnerable to dogs, cats or human interference. Secure the nest is place with heavy twine or wire. The calls of the young birds should then attract the parent’s attention.

If the birds nest has been destroyed or is too high to reach, young birds frequently can be returned to their parents by creating an artificial nest. Select a container, which is appropriate to the size and number of birds you are rescuing. Drill a few holes in the bottom to allow drainage in case of rain. Line the inside of the container with soft material like finely shredded paper or crushed, dry leaves. Never use fresh grass clippings, because the moisture will chill the nestlings. Do not use materials that retain moisture, such as toilet paper, mud or cotton. Then drill holes in the side of the container, thread with heavy twine or wire, and fasten your nest securely to a high tree branch. Place the young inside and watch from a distance to see if the parents return. If all goes well, parent birds should begin feeding the young within 2 hours. However, if it does appear that they have abandoned the nest, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. If they are truly orphaned, it is best that they are brought to a place where they can be raised with other wild birds.

Try to assess whether orphans are injured, thin or cold. If they are, they need to be carefully warmed, and require veterinary treatment as quickly as possible. Some injuries require immediate attention, such as cat bites, which can be lethal to a young bird if not given the proper care. For these cases, immediately contact a rehabilitator or rehabilitation facility.

Fledglings: Fledglings are slightly older birds with almost complete feathering except for flight feathers. These birds are frequently found hopping around on the ground under the watchful eye of a parent. Fledglings cannot fly yet, so the parents must call to locate and feed them. These birds only need a few more days before they are able to fly out of harm’s way. If dogs, cats or children are in the area, presenting possible danger, move the young bird to safety in a shrub or tree, then leave the area so the parents can resume feeding. If you think the parents may be dead, you can wait out of sight for their return. If they do not return in a few hours, contact a licensed rehabilitator for further instructions.

Ducklings and Goslings: Ducklings and goslings are different from other birds, because they are hatched with downy feathers and have the ability to walk and eat. However they still need parents for warmth and protection. It is sometimes possible to introduce a young, orphaned duckling into another family with similarly aged offspring. But it is important to know what species of duck you have before this is attempted. The young duckling may be attacked by an unwilling adoptive family. Be sure to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for instructions before attempting this process. Never place an infant duckling in water. Although they may initially float, their feathers are not yet waterproofed and they could drown.

Orphan Care and Transport: Once you have determined that the bird you found is orphaned, you must work quickly to place it in the care of a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. It is important to call before you make arrangements to capture and transport, so that you understand the best way to handle the situation.

From the time you rescue the orphan until you turn it over to the appropriate rehabilitation facility, you must keep the young bird warm and in a quiet place. Poke several small holes in an empty cardboard box with a lid. Line the bottom with clean, un-frayed cloth to make a nest and then place the orphan inside.

If you have a heating pad, turn it on low and set the box halfway on the pad if the bird is able to move. If the bird cannot move itself, place the entire box on the heating pad with a towel between the box and the pad. Keep the box in a warm, dark and quiet room. It is important that the orphan have no further human contact. Especially, keep the bird away from pets and children, because of the potential for the spread of disease. Do not feed the orphan, but transfer it immediately to a licensed rehabilitator or facility to be given appropriate attention. When transporting the bird in a vehicle, refrain from listening to the radio, talking loudly, smoking or using the air conditioner.

Enjoy your pets,
Vicki Davis