Found a baby bird? Here's what you need to do

Finding a baby bird on the ground is one of the most common wildlife encounters people have in Adelaide and across South Australia. The instinct is to help immediately, but knowing whether a baby bird actually needs intervention is crucial. Some baby birds are fledglings learning to fly and are exactly where they should be. Others are genuinely in danger and need veterinary care. This page explains how to tell the difference and what to do in each situation.

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Top Tips if you have found a baby bird

• Keep pets away if there are young birds on the ground. If you cannot remove your pet from the area move the bird to a nearby shrub or tree in the same vicinity as where the bird was found. 

• Not all birds on the ground need rescuing. Many birds learning to fly end up on the ground and can be seen flapping around for 1 or 2 days before finally taking flight. They are fledglings and do not need rescuing.  If there is an imminent threat, you may move to a tree or shrub nearby but when possible, a healthy fledgling should be left where it was found.  In particular, magpies, noisy miners and currawongs will learn to fly after being on the ground, flapping around.

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• When watching for a the parent bird to return, stay some distance away.  If you are too close, the parents may not return to feed the baby bird on the ground. If you don't see them return after 30 minutes, move farther away.  You may be preventing their return, and parent birds are caring and will not leave their baby unless something is preventing them.  Only when you fail to see the parents after 2 hours, does a healthy fledgling need assistance. 

 

• A baby birds number one best chance of survival is in the wild with their parents. Removing them from the wild drastically reduces their chance of survival and should only be done if they are injured or ill.

 

• It is never a good idea to take a wild bird home to try and raise. Special permits are required from the Department for Environment and Water (here in South Australia) as well as particular food, resources and training to be able to do. It is ok to touch a baby bird where necessary to move it to safety. It is a myth that the animal will be rejected if touched by a human but only handle where necessary.

 

• To transport the baby, place it on a towel in a small box and keep it warm, dark and quiet.   Do not give it any food or water.  Wildlife organisations and vets will need the EXACT location of the rescue so the bird can be returned to that spot when older.

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• Click here to find your closest wildlife rescue organisation (here in South Australia).  If you are not in South Australia, contact a wildlife rescue group in your state.   If you are unsure on what you should do, contact a wildlife organisation for further advice.

Did you know that we provide free vet care to injured and sick wildlife here in Adelaide?  We can't do it without your support though.  A donation by you - no matter how small - makes a big difference. 

Help us help them. Click here for all the ways you can donate