WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND AN ANIMAL??

Nestlings – young birds with little or no feathers and eyes closed or that have recently opened. These young birds remain in the nest and are very dependent on the parent(s) for food and nurturing.

Fledglings – young birds, older than nestlings, that have been encouraged to leave the cozy nest (They may actually be pushed out of the nest!!) It’s possible these birds may spend several days on the ground flapping their wings and hopping around. The parents are keeping a close eye on the baby, but from a distance. They will continue to nurture and feed the babies until the young have learned how to fly, eat on their own and protect themselves.

HAVE YOU FOUND A BABY BIRD WITH ITS EYES CLOSED AND FEW, IF ANY FEATHERS?

Has the baby bird fallen out of the nest? Do you know the location of the nest? Has a cat or other predator taken the baby from the nest? Is the nestling injured? Are there puncture wounds or blood?

Has wind blown the nest out of a tree? It is a myth that after human hands handle the babies that the parents won’t come back to care for the birds. Try to place the baby back into the nest. See below, “Have you found a nest with babies…”

If you are certain the baby bird is injured or orphaned, gently pick up the baby and place it in a man-made nest. Do not use the original nest because it may contain parasites that could weaken an already debilitated bird. This can be accomplished by lining a berry box or small plastic bowl with white, unscented Kleenex. Don’t use a wire birdcage as this wire can injure a birds delicate feathers. Put this “nest” in a cardboard box and place in a warm, quiet, dark location, i.e., a spare bedroom or bathroom. Keep pets and children away. Turn off radios and televisions, as noise can be extremely stressful to a wild bird. Make sure the baby birds’ legs are tucked up under it and not stretched out.

Don’t try to feed or water the baby as each species requires a very specific diet. And, if the bird is injured, all of its energy is being used to fight shock and the injury. Feeding the bird could be fatal! Trying to give a bird water can potentially drown the bird.

Call a wildlife rehabilitation facility in your area and make arrangements to get the young bird(s) to a wildlife rehabilitator as quickly as possible.

HAVE YOU FOUND A BABY BIRD HOPPING ON THE GROUND? FLAPPING? CALLING?

If you find a baby bird, make sure the young bird needs your help!! Observe the animal to confirm it is in danger and in need of your help. Observe!!!! This may mean watching the bird for an hour or more FROM A DISTANCE, to see if the parents return to feed the animal. It is part of the natural cycle for the parents to “kick” the baby birds out of the nest even before the babies can fly. They will continue to feed and protect the baby birds while at the same time teach the babies to eat and fly on their own. This process may take several days! See the definition above for “Fledglings”.

Only if you are sure it is harmed or in danger should you help. The reason is that the young birds' parents can do a much better job at providing the proper diet and training than we humans.
If you are certain the baby bird is injured, orphaned or in danger gently pick up the baby and place it in a man-made nest. Do not use the original nest because it may contain parasites that could weaken an already debilitated bird. This can be accomplished by lining a berry box or small plastic bowl with white, unscented Kleenex. Don’t use a wire birdcage as this wire can injure a birds delicate feathers. Put this “nest” in a cardboard box and place in a warm, quiet, dark location, i.e., a spare bedroom or bathroom. Close the box because the baby might not stay in the nest but might try to hop around. Keep pets and children away. Turn off radios and televisions, as noise can be extremely stressful to a wild bird.

Don’t try to feed or water the baby as each species requires a very specific diet. And, if the bird is injured, all of its energy is being used to fight shock and the injury. Feeding the bird could be fatal! Trying to give a bird water can potentially drown the bird.

Call a wildlife rehabilitation facility in your area and make arrangements to get the young bird(s) to a wildlife rehabilitator as quickly as possible.

Has the baby bird fallen out of the nest? Has wind blown the nest out of a tree? It is a myth that after human hands handle the babies that the parents won’t come back to care for the birds. Try to place the baby back into the nest. If the nest is intact, set the nest back into a forked branch of the tree. If unable to place the nest in the tree try placing the nest in an empty hanging basket. Hang the basket as near to the original nest as possible. If the nest has been destroyed, try lining an old hanging basket with dry grass, leaves and twigs. Make sure, in case of rain, the basket has ample drainage. Also make sure the basket is not hung in the direct sunlight. Hang the basket as near to the original nest site as possible. Even if the nest has been destroyed due to a tree being cut down it can be hung in a nearby tree. The parents will hear the babies and often come back to care for their young.

Do you know where the animal came from? Do you know the location of the nest or den? Has a cat or other predator taken the baby mammal from the nest? Is the animal injured? Are there puncture wounds or blood?

Can you put the baby back in the nest or den? It is a myth that after human hands handle the babies that the parents won’t come back to care for the animals. Try to place the baby back into the nest or den. See below, “Have you found a nest with babies…”

If you are certain the baby mammal is injured or orphaned, gently pick up the baby and place it in a small cardboard box. Do not use the original nest material because it may contain parasites that could weaken an already debilitated mammal. The box should be lined with newspaper and a soft, cotton towel or t-shirt. It’s best not to use material with threaded “loops” like a bath towel, as the animals nails may become entangled. Cover the box with a towel or sheet and place in a warm, quiet, dark location, i.e., a spare bedroom or bathroom. Keep pets and children away. Turn off radios and televisions, as noise can be extremely stressful to a wild mammal.

Don’t try to feed or water the baby as each species requires a very specific diet. And, if the mammal is injured, all of its energy is being used to fight shock and the injury. Feeding the animal could be fatal and trying to give an animal water can potentially drown it.

Call a wildlife rehabilitation facility in your area and make arrangements to get the young mammal(s) to them as quickly as possible.

First of all, make sure the young mammal needs your help!! Observe the animal to confirm it is in danger and in need of your help. Observe!!!! This may mean watching the animal for an hour or more, AT A DISTANCE, to see if the parents return to feed the animal. It’s possible these young animals are venturing, for the first time, out of their nest or den. Parents will continue to feed and protect the baby mammals while at the same time teach the babies to forage and live on their own. This growing up process may take several days!

Only if you are sure it is harmed or in danger should you help. The reason being that the young animals parents can do a much better job at providing the proper diet and instruction than we humans.

If you are certain the baby mammal is injured or orphaned, gently pick up the baby and place it in a small cardboard box. Remember!!!! Your safety is most important!!! It may be a good idea to use gloves or a soft towel to pick up the animal especially if it is older. The box should be lined with newspaper and a soft, cotton towel. It’s best not to use material with threaded “loops” like a bath towel, as their nails may become entangled. Cover the box with a towel or sheet and place in a warm, quiet, dark location, i.e., a spare bedroom or bathroom. Keep pets and children away. Turn off radios and televisions, as noise can be extremely stressful on a wild animal.

Don’t try to feed or water the baby as each species requires a very specific diet. And, if the animal is injured, all of its energy is being used to fight shock and the injury. Feeding the animal could be fatal and trying to give an animal water can potentially drown it!

Call a wildlife rehabilitation facility in your area and make arrangements to get the young mammal(s) to them as quickly as possible.

HAVE YOU FOUND A NEST WITH BABIES THAT HAS FALLEN OR BEEN BLOWN OUT OF A TREE? HAVE YOU FOUND A NEST OF BUNNIES?

Have you found a baby squirrel’s nest? Has wind blown the nest out of a tree? It is a myth that after human hands handle the babies that the parents won’t come back to care for the animal. Try to place the babies back into the nest. If the nest is intact, set the nest back into a forked branch of the tree. If unable to place the nest in the tree try placing the nest in an empty hanging basket. Hang the basket as near to the original nest as possible. If the nest has been destroyed, try lining an old hanging basket with dry grass, leaves and twigs. Make sure, in case of rain, the basket has ample drainage. Also, make sure the basket is not in direct sunlight. Hang the basket as near to the original nest as possible. Even if the nest has been destroyed due to a tree being cut down it can be hung in a nearby tree. The parents will hear the babies and often come back to care for their young.

Wild rabbits build their nest on the ground in a very shallow hole lined with their fur. If you come across a nest do not disturb it. Keep dogs and cats away and let Mother Nature tend to the babies.

If a rabbits nest (den) has been disturbed by a predator and the babies are uninjured attempt to reconstruct the nest. Place the babies back in the nest and cover them lightly with nest material. The parent(s) will return! (Baby rabbits are typically fed only twice a day….early in the morning and late at night, so you probably will not see the parent(s)). Place two light weight twigs or strings in an “X” pattern over the nest and check on the nest AFTER 24 hours. If the twigs or strings have been moved, you can be assured the babies are being cared for.

If the babies are injured or after 24 hours you are CERTAIN the parent(s) have not returned you must rescue the young. See above, “Have You Found A Baby Mammal…”

If you find an injured, adult bird or mammal the above applies, too. Adults may be more aggressive and great care must be used in handling these animals. Remember, their talons, nails, and/or teeth can be dangerous. Your safety is most important! An injured animal exhibits the “fight or flight" response.

Could it be possible the hawk you see standing on the ground has just eaten its prey? Is it too full and heavy to fly? Observe, at a distance and Wait!! After several hours has the bird digested its meal and is now able to fly?

Is there a visible injury or blood on the animal? Is the animal breathing, but very lethargic? If you are certain the animal is injured, gently pick the animal up and place it in a cardboard box. Remember!!!! Your safety is most important!!! It is a good idea to use gloves or a soft towel to pick up the animal. Often times a box can be placed over the animal and then “scooped” into the box. The box should be lined with newspaper and a soft, cotton towel. It’s best not to use material with threaded “loops” like a bath towel, as the animals’ nails or talons may become entangled. Close the box or cover the box with a towel or sheet and place in a warm, quiet, dark location, i.e., a spare bedroom or bathroom. Keep pets and children away. Turn off radios and televisions, as noise can be extremely stressful on a wild animal.
Don’t try to feed or water the animal as each species requires a very specific diet. And, if the animal is injured, all of its energy is being used to fight shock and the injury. Feeding the animal could be fatal and trying to give an animal water can potentially drown it!

Call a wildlife rehabilitation facility in your area and make arrangements to get the animal to them as quickly as possible.

Make sure the animal truly needs your help! Observe!!!!
Your safety is most important, so be careful! Wear gloves if needed.

As tempting as it might be, don’t “snuggle” the babies! Remember they are wild animals and to be returned to the wild they must not become imprinted or use to humans. Also, while they may seem calm,they are actually very frightened.

It is illegal to keep wild animals as pets! They belong in the wild! A $5,000.00 fine can be imposed for keeping a wild animal.

Call a wildlife rehabilitation facility in your area if you have any questions.