Help! I Found a Songbird!
Songbirds are one of the most diverse groups of animals and are common backyard visitors. Finches, Sparrows, Woodpeckers, Robins, Doves and more share many similar nesting and behavioral characteristics. These shared behaviors make it easy for home owners to troubleshoot situations without needing to identify the exact species. Other types of birds such as raptors (owls, hawks, vultures, etc.) and waterfowl (ducks, geese, herons, etc.) are outside the scope of this page and have very different behaviors.
Remember: It is illegal to keep and raise wildlife
Myth: Birds will abandon their babies because you touched them!
If You Find a Songbird That:
Has been in a dog or cat’s mouth
Is bleeding or has obvious injuries to its legs or wings
Has parasites, including fly eggs (look like little grains of rice)
Has been fed or cared for by people
Has its eyes swollen shut or is unable to stand
Has collided with a window or other structure (wall, car, etc.)
This is an emergency. Receive immediate support here or contact your local wildlife rehabilitator.
If You Find a Songbird That:
Is a fledgling on the ground unable to fly
Is a nestling that fell out of the nest or had the nest destroyed
Is a nestling but no parents are in the nest
This is okay! Fledglings should be left alone and nestlings/hatchlings can be placed back into the nest. If the original nest is too high or damaged, follow the renesting steps below. For more solutions to common problems with songbirds in human spaces, visit this page.
How To Save Baby and Juvenile Songbirds
One of the most important things about helping songbirds is identifying the difference between a nestling/hatchling and a fledgling. Nestlings/hatchlings are mostly naked or covered in fluffy down. They are often unable to stand on their own and they spend all of their time sitting in the nest.
Fledglings are like “teenage” birds. They have many of their adult feathers and are nearly adult size but may still have some fluffy downy feathers. They are able to perch on their own and may be able to fly short distances. Fledglings spend a few days to a few weeks on the ground learning to fly and find food. Their parents still provide supplemental feedings and help them learn the ropes in the wild!
Note: Killdeer and other ground nesting birds: Some bird species, including Killdeer, Mourning Doves and Rock Pigeons are known to nest on the ground and hard, human-made surfaces. This is normal! There is no need to intervene. You can watch from a distance to ensure that a parent bird is still coming back to tend to the babies.
Unless absolutely necessary, bird nests cannot be relocated per federal law. If a nest is displaced accidentally, it can be placed in the same spot or close by. Keep in mind that this should only be used in emergency situations, not simply for convenience. Most songbirds quickly leave the nest within a matter of weeks. If you have to relocate a nest, move the nest as close by as possible and securely attach it. You can utilize the steps below if a new nest needs to be created. Watch from a distance to ensure that the parents are still returning to the nest.
These are nestlings/hatchlings. These birds should be in the nest at all times because they rely on their parents.
This is an older nestling/hatchling. The bird is still unable to perch on his own and does not have fully developed flight feathers. It should still be in the nest but will be leaving soon.
This is a fledgling. The bird is fully feathered and nearly adult size. It may be capable of some flight, but it is still being fed by his parents. Fledglings can be differentiated from adult birds by shorter tails and fluffier feathers.
How To Renest Cup-Nesting Songbird Nestlings or Hatchlings
*These instructions can be used for species like Robins, Cardinals, Barn Swallows, Finches, Yellow-Throated Humming Birds and more*
Cup-nesting songbirds build nests in the shape of a cup on tree branches or between tree forks, ledges and other areas. These are the most common types of nests found in your backyard if living in Pennsylvania.
Do not feed the bird and be prepared to transport it to a rehabilitator right away. Baby birds have very specific diets and need fed often.
Carefully check the bird for injuries. Most often, the bird is okay, but injuries do happen! Contact a wildlife rehabilitator if the baby is injured.
If the baby is healthy, place it back in the nest. Then, skip to step 7. If you are unable to locate a nearby nest, continue following steps 4-7.
Create a new nest using a wicker basket or plastic container with drainage holes in the bottom. Drainage holes are important to ensure the nest does not fill up when it rains. This style of nest is not suitable for cavity nesters — see the section below.
Fill the new nest with any remaining nesting material from the original nest. Fill the container slightly above the brim with shredded paper, grass clippings or soft straw. Filling the container all the way allows the adult bird a better place to perch when feeding the babies.
Attach the new nest as close to the old one as possible. Attach the nest securely enough that it will not fall during a storm. Place the babies back inside the new nest.
Watch the nest from a distance. Keep in mind that most adult birds will not come back if humans and pets are near. If you see adult birds chirping and flying above, that is a great sign! The parents only visit the nest for a few short seconds to feed. You will likely not see the parents stay on the nest. Consistently watch the nest for at least one hour before determining if the birds are orphaned.
How To Renest Cavity-Nesting Songbird Nestlings or Hatchlings
*These instructions can be used for species like Woodpeckers, Bluebirds, House Sparrows and European Starlings*
Cavity-nesting songbirds build nests that form a cavity, providing complete protection aside from the entrance hole. Birds build cavity nests in the natural holes of trees, snags (dead trees), telephone poles or even gaps between a house.
Do not feed the bird and be prepared to transport it to a rehabilitator right away. Baby birds have very specific diets and need fed often.
Carefully check the bird for injuries. Most often, the bird is okay but injuries do happen! Contact a wildlife rehabilitator if the baby is injured.
If the baby is healthy, place it back in the nest. Then, skip to step 8. If you are unable to locate a nearby nest, continue to follow steps 4-8.
Create a new nest using an empty plastic bottle (like a large soda bottle, milk jug, litter container, etc.) with the cap on and drainage holes in the bottom. Drainage holes are important to ensure the nest does not fill up when it rains. In hot weather, you may poke holes along the sides of the container for ventilation. This style nest is not suitable for cup nesters — see the section above.
Cut three sides of a square (about the size of a playing card) in the side of the bottle, leaving the top side attached. Lift the flap to create an awning. If the flap does not remain open on its own, you may use a piece of wire or string to hold it open.
Fill the new nest with any remaining nesting material from the original nest. You may also use shredded paper, grass clippings or soft straw to supplement the original nesting materials. Be sure to leave a depression in the center that allows the birds to sit upright and snugly inside. Fill the container high enough that the babies heads are visible from the bottom line of your container opening — this allows them to jump out of the nest when they are large enough and gives their parent a better place to perch when feeding the babies.
Attach the new nest over the opening to the old nest or as close to the old nest as possible. Attach the nest securely enough that it will not fall during a storm. Place the babies back inside the new nest.
Watch the nest from a distance. Keep in mind that most adult birds will not come back if humans and pets are near. If you see adult birds chirping and flying above, that is a great sign! The parents only visit the nest for a few short seconds to feed. You will likely not see the parents stay on the nest. Consistently watch the nest for at least one hour before determining if the birds are orphaned.
How To Save Adult Songbirds
Carefully collect the bird and place it in a dark, quiet box if it flies into a window. This is one of the most common ways that people find injured adult songbirds. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator so that the bird can receive treatment. Even if the bird is stunned and attempts to fly away after a few moments, there are often eye injuries or fractures that should be evaluated by a professional.
Wash your birdfeeders with a one part bleach to nine parts water solution every two weeks, especially after an infected bird is found. Birds become sick from communicable diseases like Finch Eye Disease. When large groups of birds are together, they can share infections.
Assess that the bird is not a fledgling (which normally cannot fly) before intervening. Adult birds that are unable to fly should be assessed by a rehabilitator ASAP. Their small bones begin to heal quickly and it is important to have them set properly.
If you find an adult hummingbird unable to fly, contact a wildlife rehabilitator right away! Hummingbirds have high-energy requirements and a licensed rehabilitator may give you advice on an emergency sugar solution to feed the bird until it can be admitted.
For more solutions to common problems with birds in human spaces, visit this page.
Note: Red colored hummingbird solutions that you buy in stores are NOT safe and should not be used in bird feeders or in wildlife emergencies
Songbirds are susceptible to Finch Eye Conjunctivitis. This bacterial infection causes swelling and irritation around the eyes. Birds are often found at a bird feeder unable to fly away. Eyes shut may also be an indication of head trauma after flying into a window or similar object.
Do you still have questions after reading the information above? Contact us or a local wildlife rehabilitator!
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Resources
All about Birds: How to Clean Your Bird Feeder. The Cornell Lab.
Answering the Call of the Wild by Erin Luther. Toronto Wildlife Centre.