It’s that time of year at the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center when people start finding baby birds and aren’t sure what to do. Should they be left alone? Do they need help? The Raptor Center gets hundreds of calls every spring about birds found on the ground and the answer is, most of the time they are just fine.
There are some basic things to look for to figure out what to do. First, does the bird look injured? Is it bleeding, been attacked by a cat or other animal, or some other obvious injury? If so, then it needs to get to the Raptor Center right away.
If you don’t see any injuries, is the bird fully feathered? Many birds fall out of the nest or off a branch when they first learn to fly. It is just like riding a bike – you fall down a lot before you figure it out. As long as they have feathers it is best to leave it alone. The parents are nearby but won’t feed or approach it when there are people around. If it has no feathers (or looks downy) then it needs to be in the nest! If you find the nest and can reach it safely, then put it back! It is a myth that birds can smell humans and won’t take care of the babies. Most birds have almost no sense of smell, so gently put it back.
If you aren’t sure about your situation, give the Raptor Center a call. They will ask you to send them a picture via text to have a better idea of your situation. The Raptor Center number is 972.442.7607 or go to www.bpraptorcenter.org to the rescue page to find more information about helping baby birds.
You can also check the website for upcoming events!
