Birds have returned for the spring and summer, and we’re already hearing baby birds chirping from their nests. Keep reading to learn a little bit about how and when to help protect baby birds.
Fledglings are fully feathered and can stand and hop on their own. Image Credit: Dayle Hayhoe, birdsandblooms.org
You can identify nestlings from their small size and lack of feathers. Image credit: nestwatch.org
Baby birds have multiple periods of maturation. A chick that has just hatched is called a hatchling, and a chick still in the nest is a nestling. A fledgling is a young bird that can leave its nest. Fledglings, equipped with developed feathers and feet that can grip a branch, routinely leave their nests to learn how to survive on their own. A fledgling is usually easy to distinguish from both an adult bird and a nestling due to its soft, loose feathers.
There’s no need to worry if you find a fledgling in your yard––it’s only doing what it’s meant to, exploring the world around it! If you find a chick in the street or somewhere else it might be in danger, the best course of action is to use gloves or a towel to either return the animal to its nest or place it under a nearby bush.
If you think the chick you’ve found is injured or younger than a fledgling, check February’s Nature News article, or the “Dealing with Wildlife” section on our FAQ page.