What to do with an orphaned bird

If it is mostly fully feathered and not obviously injured, almost all of the time, leaving it alone is the best thing. While leaving it alone, try to keep children and animals away. A parent is probably nearby and has encouraged it to leave the nest, and is still bringing it food.

If the bird is not fully feathered, look in the immediate area for the nest. If you find the nest, carefully put the baby in it. Your touch and smell on the baby will NOT cause harm. If you cannot find the nest, if the baby can grasp and stand on a branch on its own, simply put it in the closest bush or tree. The parent will find it and care for it. If the baby is too young to stand, make a nest out of natural materials, place in nearby bush or tree, and leave the baby. Nest should not hold water and should have soft interior (dry grass, pine straw or the like).

Don’t try to raise a baby bird. In addition to being illegal, it is so incredibly labor intensive almost no one can do it without training and several trained helpers. Most baby birds need feeding every 20 minutes and careful monitoring of body temperature.

If you are sure the parents are not around, or the bird is obviously injured, call (or see website) one of the below listed organizations for further instructions.


Information and resources:
Florida Wildlife Care (all species animals and birds)
3400 SE 15th St, Gainesville 1-352-371-4400
www.floridawildlifecare.org

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission information:myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/assistnuisance-wildlife

All About Birds (from Cornell University Lab of Ornithology) www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/faq/master_folder/attracting/challenges/orphaned