Brits are being urged not to panic or rescue baby birds unnecessarily, as most fledglings found on the ground are healthy and still under their parents’ care.
With baby bird season at its peak in the UK, ecology experts at Arbtech are advising the public that it’s perfectly normal to see fledglings out of the nest – and that most don’t need rescuing. Fledglings are different from nestlings. While nestlings are too young to leave the nest, fledglings have developed most of their feathers and naturally spend time on the ground as part of learning to fly.
May and June are when fledglings are most likely to be spotted on the ground in the UK, but this often causes concern among the public. Online searches for ‘fledgling birds’ have increased by 108% in the past month, while searches for ‘baby birds’ have risen by 46%. But experts advise: don’t panic. It’s normal to see baby birds out of the nest during the spring and summer for a few days – or even up to a week – at a time. Unless the bird is clearly in danger, such as near a road or threatened by a pet, fledglings should be left where they are. If needed, gently move them to a nearby bush or shrub, ensuring that it’s somewhere close enough for its parents to hear them. If a bird is injured, it will need specialist care and rehabilitation to survive, so the best course of action is to contact a local wildlife rehabilitation centre or a vet as soon as possible.
Andrew Ward from Arbtech said: “At this time of year it’s completely natural to come across fledgling birds on the ground, and in most cases, they don’t need any help from us. People’s intentions are good, but removing a fledgling from its environment can significantly reduce its chances of survival. Taking a baby bird into captivity should only ever be a last resort – if it’s clearly injured or sick, if you know for certain its parents are dead, or if you’ve monitored it for several hours and they haven’t returned. The best thing you can do is leave fledglings undisturbed and observe from a distance, trusting that the parents are nearby – because they almost always are.”
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