We get a lot of baby birds handed into our clinic in the spring, just like this fledgling Australian native Noisy Miner (not the pest species Indian Myna), who was returned to its parents by one of our nurses.
Baby birds like this one have now out grown their nests and are being cared for by their parents on the ground. They learn to fly from the ground not the nest.
If you see a baby bird that is fully feathered like this guy, please leave it there unless it is in immediate danger or obviously injured. If at all worried, call Wildlife Victoria on 84007300 and they can advise you whether or not the bird needs rescuing.
Here are a few things to remember …..
- Baby birds will be on the ground learning to fly and hunt for food with their parents. It’s around 3-7 days before they can fly up out of harms way.
- You won’t always see the parent birds around as a lot of species are scared of people so won’t come forward if you are there.
- It is normal for a baby bird to sit in the same spot for a couple of hours quietly. They do not want to attract too much attention to themselves.
- Parent birds will take their babies back after they have been handled by a human.
- If taking a baby bird from an area, please take note of the exact address or landmarks so it may be returned back home.
We do appreciate all the kind hearted people out there that are worried about our wildlife, these tips may just reduce the amount of fledglings being taken from their parents unnecessarily.