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我们想养它到羽翼丰满可以飞了就放走，但是没养过鸟没有经验。于是老公先给一个鸟类兽医诊所问该怎么办，人家给了一个野生动物救助组织的电话。老公打过去，可算打对地方了。对方问，小鸟有没有长出羽毛和尾巴？有？就是很短？哦，那简单，从哪找到的，还放到哪儿去，但是不要放到路上。小鸟正处于fledgling阶段，要在地上跳跃十天左右，学习飞翔，觅食，和躲避天敌等等。它的父母会在附近严密监视，必要之时会帮助它。

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Lazuli Bunting mother and nestlings - Jim Cruce

The following is a quick guide to help you make the right decision when a baby bird is found.

Many species of birds such as robins, scrub jays, crows and owls leave the nest and spend as many as 2-5 days on the ground before they can fly. This is a normal and vital part of the young birds' development. While they are on the ground, the birds are cared for and protected by their parents and are taught vital life skills (finding food, identifying predators, flying).

Taking these birds into captivity denies them the opportunity to learn skills they will need to survive in the wild. Unless a bird is injured, it is essential to leave them outside to learn from their parents.

Before taking any baby bird out of the wild, please contact the Wildlife Care Center at 503-292-0304.

Nestlings on the Ground

If you are concerned that a bird fell from its nest too early, you may try and return the bird to its nest. If the nest has been destroyed or is unreachable, you may substitute a strawberry basket or small box lined with tissue and suspend it from a branch near to where you believe its nest is located.

Birds have a poor sense of smell and very strong parental instincts, which means they will usually continue caring for their young. However, adult birds are cautious after any type of disturbance and it may take several hours before they approach the nestling. During this period it is essential that humans not approach the nestling.

Fledglings on the Ground

Fledglings are typically fully feathered, with a short tail and wings. They are able to walk, hop and flap, and they may attempt short flights, but are still being cared for by the parents.

If you find a fledgling, it should be left alone or at the most placed in a nearby shrub. Keep people and pets away so the parents will continue to care for it until it can fly.

Placing fledglings back into nests is typically only a short-term solution, as they will quickly re-emerge. Moving fledglings to entirely new locations is also ineffective, as they are still dependent on their parents for survival and will quickly starve.

 

Common Questions and Concerns

Why can't I raise the baby bird myself or bring it to the Wildlife Care Center?
Raising wild birds in captivity is always a last resort and should only occur when a young bird is known to be injured or orphaned. Although it may seem "safer" to raise young birds in captivity, birds raised without the benefit of learning from their parents only have a minimal chance of survival when released.