Common Myths about Baby Birds
Every year at this time, I am bombarded with questions about orphaned baby birds that people find in their backyards. Rarely are these birds actually orphaned; most, in fact, are there because their parents guided them there.
So what should be done when baby birds are found? In almost every case, the best thing to do is nothing. But here are some common myths and explanations that will help you make each decision on a case-by-case basis.
Myth 1: Parents Abandon their Young
Parents do not abandon their young. Occasionally, a parent may be killed by a predator, become injured or fall sick and die while raising nestlings or fledglings, but parents will not abandon their young. When you spot a baby bird on the ground, leave it alone, stay away and watch from a safe distance. Before the day is done, one or more parents will probably stop by and bring the baby some food.
Myth 2: Bird Babies Eat Like Human Babies.
Bird babies are not like human babies. They do not need to eat every few hours. Most, in fact, can survive several days without food. Additionally, most can and will feed themselves when/if their parents stop feeding them.
Myth 3: Baby Birds Who Smell Like Humans are Abandoned.
Most bird species have a poor sense of smell. However, there is no evidence to suggest that any bird species, including the few who can smell, abandon their young because of the way they smell. Returning a fallen nestling to its nest does no harm at all.
Myth 4: Predators are a Threat
Technically, this is not a myth; baby birds are threatened by predators. However, pets are a greater danger to baby birds than predators in urban backyards. When a baby bird appears in your yard, place it in a dense shrub and keep your pets indoors for a few days. If the bird cannot grasp a branch and remain upright, it is probably a fallen nestling. In that case, look for the hidden nest and return the bird to it.
Myth 5: Nests Are Safe
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong!! Even well-hidden nests are dangerous places to be. A single predator can eat every baby in a nest in minutes. That’s why female birds do not sing; they don’t want to give away the location of their nest. That’s also why parents encourage babies to leave the nest as soon as possible. Babies are much safer if they are spread out and kept in different places outside of the nest.
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Brent Johner has been writing about urban wildlife since 1998. Many of the articles here first appeared in the Calgary Herald, Calgary Gardening magazine or on Talk About Wildlife. Brent has also done dozens of radio, television, newspaper and magazine interviews on the subject of urban wildlife.