Found a Baby Bird? Don’t Panic—Here’s How to Help!

I Found a Baby Bird! Now What?

Follow these steps to help the baby bird safely:

Step 1: Is the bird sick or injured?

• Unable to flutter wings?

• Shivering?

• Attacked by a cat or dog?

✅ YES → Contact a Wildlife Rehabilitator immediately.
🔗 Find the nearest rehabilitator here.
📞 If unreachable, contact your State or Provincial Wildlife Agency.

❌ NO → Proceed to Step 2.

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Step 2: Is the bird fully feathered?

✅ YES (Feathered) →

• Is it safe from dogs, cats, and humans?

  • YES → Place it on a safe branch and observe from a distance.

  • NO → Move it to a nearby safe spot (within earshot of parents).

• Are the parents nearby?

  • YES → Leave the area. The baby’s best chance is with its mother.

  • NO → Contact a wildlife rehabilitator.

❌ NO (Not Feathered) →

• Can you find an intact nest?

  • YES → Place the baby back in the nest (wear gloves). Observe from a distance.

  • NO → Make a substitute nest:

    • Use a small plastic tub (poke holes in the bottom).

    • Line with dried grass or pine needles.

    • Place the nest in the original tree or nearby.

    • Observe from a distance—do parents return?

      • NO? → Contact a rehabilitator.

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Important Notes:

⚠️ If the mother is confirmed dead or the baby is injured, call a rehabilitator immediately.
🐦 If the baby is separated but healthy, place it where the mother can hear it.
👀 Always observe from a distance—human presence may scare parents away.

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Need Help?

📞 Find a Wildlife Rehabilitator: Search Here
🌐 State Wildlife Agency Contacts: List by Region

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Thank you for caring for wildlife! 🐥💚