Nestlings should not be out of their nests since they are unable to fly or grip a perch. [2] X Research source Nestlings are altricial, meaning they are completely dependent on their parents and must stay in the nest. Songbirds and perching birds are born as altricial chicks. [3] X Research source Fledglings tend to look a little scruffy overall.

Although nestlings cannot move around on the ground, they will stretch their mouths wide open to ask for food, and will even chirp if you don’t give them any![4] X Research source

To make your own nest, line a shoebox or woven basket with hay or dry leaves. Place the makeshift nest off the ground with the baby bird inside of it and wait for about an hour for the parents to return. [5] X Research source If the parents do not return, you will need to start making plans to take the baby bird to a wildlife rehabilitation center. It is only a myth that handling a baby bird will cause it to be rejected by its parents. If the nestling feels cold to the touch, warm it in your hands before returning it to the nest (or your makeshift nest). A parent returning to the nest may push out a cold nestling to prevent the other eggs or nestlings from becoming cold. [6] X Research source

If the fledgling does not want to perch on your finger, try gently wrapping it in a towel to pick it up and place it on higher ground. If you try to place the fledgling back in its nest, it will likely fall out of the nest again. [8] X Research source The fledgling needs to be above the ground to protect it from predators.

Despite the challenges, do your best to identify the species. When you contact a wildlife rehabilitation center, you can provide them with this information so the staff will have a good idea of what type of baby bird you will be bringing them. If you need to care for the baby bird before transferring care over to a wildlife rehabilitation center, you can provide the bird with general support regardless of its species. For example, you can keep it warm by placing it in a tissue-filled shoebox (make sure to cut holes in the lid) and setting a heating pad set on ’low’ underneath the box. [9] X Research source You could also feed it.

The orientation of the toes (how many face forward and how many face backward) can also help you identify the species. [10] X Research source

You can also look at how the nest is made. For example, American robins will have cup-shaped nests, Barn swallows will make their nests out of mud, and hummingbirds will make their nests out of lichens and spiderwebs. [12] X Research source There are many types of nests, so do not become discouraged if you cannot identify the baby bird’s species according to its nest. A wildlife rehabilitation expert can help you.

The baby bird will also need your help if it is sick (e. g. , cold to the touch, weak). For a nestling, you may need to take the baby bird for further care if the parents have not returned in an hour. Keep in mind, though, that the parents may not approach the nest if you are too close. Stay at least 100 feet (about 30 meters) from the nest. A nest with dead baby birds is abandoned. Any surviving baby birds will need help. [15] X Research source

Even with the best of intentions, it is unlikely that you will do a better job of raising a baby bird than its parents or a wildlife rehabilitator.

Search for the nearest wildlife rehabilitation center, both within the United States and internationally, by using a directory, such as the one at https://www. humanesociety. org/resources/how-find-wildlife-rehabilitator.

You could also line the bottom of the box with paper towels. [19] X Research source Handle the baby bird as little as possible before transporting it to minimize its stress. [20] X Research source