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Finding Wildlife: What To Do | Species Accepted | Release Sites | Vet Clinics | FAQs
Birds
About Birds
Baby birds come in two basic varieties.
Altricial birds are hatched with their eyes closed, often featherless, and must be fed by their parents. Examples of altricial birds include songbirds such as robins and sparrows, and raptors such as hawks and owls.
Precocial birds are those that are able to walk and feed shortly after hatching. They are hatched with their eyes open and are covered in down. Examples of precocial birds include waterfowl such as geese and ducks, and shore birds such as killdeer.
Depending on the type of bird, it must be treated very differently.
About Hatchlings
If the bird is altricial, the best place for it is in the nest where its parents can tend to it. If a hatchling has fallen out of a nest and does not appear to be injured, try to locate the nest and carefully place the bird back in. There is no truth to the tale that a mother bird will not return to the nest if her young smell like humans. Most birds have a very poor sense of smell and won't detect a difference in the smell of their young.
If a nest has fallen out of a tree tie the nest back up in the tree as close to the original position as possible. If you can not locate a nest or the nest has been damaged, a new "nest" can be created by lining a margarine tub with dryer lint, dry leaves or pine needles. DO NOT use fresh grass, mud or cotton as a bird's feet can get caught in it. Poke holes in the bottom of the margarine container to allow for water drainage. DO NOT put a nestling inside a birdhouse as the parents will not look for their young inside a cavity.
Watch the nest from a distance to see if the parents return. If the parents do not return, contact a wildlife rehabilitator as the hatchling will require care. Most importantly, keep the bird warm. Hatchlings lose heat very rapidly. Holding the bird in your hand will do as a temporary measure. Do not attempt to feed the bird or give it water if it is cold. The bird can be temporarily kept warm by placing the bird in it's container on a heating pad set on low or a hot water bottle filled with warm water. It can also be kept warm by placing it under a heat lamp. Be careful not to overheat the nestling.
It is important to get the bird to someone who has the proper facilities to care for it. Most vet clinics in the Calgary area will accept animals on behalf of CWRS.