When you see a chick that has fallen out of its nest, your first instinct may be to help it. Oftentimes, however, these people put the baby bird's safety at greater risk when trying to save it, even though they have good intentions. Therefore, before taking any action, it is important for you to determine whether a fallen chick is a nestling or a fledging chick, and seek professional help if the chick is injured or sick to make sure it can stay alive.
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Part 1 of 3: Determining the Age and Injury Level of the Chicks
Step 1. Find out if the fallen chick is a baby bird or a chick learning to fly
To help better, you first need to determine the age of the chick, as well as how far it has developed (in this case, physical development and flight ability).
- Baby birds or nestlings have very few feathers and/or are still covered with down. Also, his eyes are still not open (or only slightly open). The baby bird must remain in the nest because he is still very dependent on his mother for care and food.
- Young or fledging birds are older than baby birds and, as a rule, have more feathers on their bodies. Young birds are generally pushed or, in fact, forced out of the nest by their mothers. Usually, once out of the nest, the young bird will be on the ground for two to five days trying to flap its wings and fly. However, the mother will continue to watch the young bird closely from a distance and provide it with food and care until the young bird learns how to fly, eat, and protect itself from predators.
Step 2. Look for brood or nests near where the chicks fell
Another way to tell if a fallen chick is in danger is to check for nests in trees or branches near the chicks. You can also notice if there are adult birds perched around the baby birds and watch them. If there is a nest or mother bird nearby, and the chick is a young bird learning to fly, you can leave the chick.
- If you see a nest near the baby bird, you can pick up the baby bird and carefully place it back into the nest. During this time, there is a belief that the smell of humans attached to the baby bird will make the mother bird reject it. This is just a myth because birds do not have a keen sense of smell. After being returned to the nest, the baby bird will again be cared for and fed by the mother.
- You may need to watch the fallen chick for (at least) an hour to determine if the mother is nearby (or, at least, to see if the chick is interacting with the mother). Also pay attention to whether the mother checks the baby birds in the nest to make sure that the baby birds are not alone or deliberately abandoned by the mother.
Step 3. Check if the chick is injured or looks sick
Watch for signs of injury or injury to the bird, such as broken wings, bleeding on the body, or loss of feathers in some areas (if the bird is a young bird learning to fly). The chicks may also shiver and squeak softly. Also, pay attention to whether there are dead mothers in or around the chicks (or perhaps in the nest), as well as any animals such as cats or dogs that may have injured the chicks.
If the chick is injured or sick, or the mother dies or doesn't return to the nest after two hours, you will need to build a temporary nest for the chick and then take it to the nearest animal rehabilitation center
Step 4. Do not interact with the young bird if it is unharmed or still close to the nest
If the fallen chick is a young bird and doesn't appear sick or injured, allow it to continue its development. However, you will need to prevent other animals such as cats from getting close to the young bird, and make sure it can jump and fly away from areas that are dangerous or infested with predators.
Do not try to feed young birds as birds have a unique special type of diet. In addition, do not give water to birds to prevent the risk of choking and flatulence
Part 2 of 3: Making a Temporary Nest for the Chicks
Step 1. Wear gloves when handling birds
Protect yourself from disease and parasites, as well as sharp beaks and claws by wearing gloves. You should also wash your hands before and after handling birds even if you are wearing gloves.
Step 2. Make a hanging nest if the mother bird is near the chicks, but the nest has been destroyed
If the bird's nest is completely destroyed, but the mother is still around the chicks, try making a simple hanging nest for the bird.
- Use a basket or small plastic container to build the nest. Make a hole in the bottom of the container and line the container with a paper towel.
- Hang the nest using thick adhesive tape on a branch near the old nest. After that, place the chicks in the new nest. That way, the mother can find a new nest and her offspring.
Step 3. If a dropped chick is abandoned by its mother, try making a nest out of a small plastic bowl and paper towel
It's important not to put the chick back into the nest if it's injured or the mother has disappeared as the old nest may contain parasites that can make the chick even more sick. Try making a temporary nest using a small plastic bowl or cardboard or Styrofoam basket (which is usually used for holding small fruits like strawberries). Line the bowl with an odorless paper towel to provide comfort for the chicks.
- Do not use wire cages as the wire can injure the bird's feathers.
- If you don't have a plastic bowl, try using a paper bag with air holes.
Step 4. Place the chick in the nest and wrap it in a paper towel
This way, the chicks will feel warm and protected while in the temporary nest.
If the chick seems to be shivering, you can raise it by pressing one side of the cardboard box against a heating pad on a low heat. You can also fill a hot water bottle and place it next to the bird (in a temporary nest bowl). Make sure the bottle doesn't touch the bird's body, because the skin can scald. In addition, if there is a leak, the dripping water can actually make the bird feel colder
Step 5. Place the nest in a warm, quiet and dark place
Once you have placed the bird in a plastic bowl lined with paper towels, place the bowl in a cardboard box and cover the box with adhesive tape. Place the crib in an empty room or bathroom, and keep it out of reach of pets and children.
Noise can be very stressful for chicks so make sure all radios and televisions are turned off. You should also limit contact with the chicks so that their injuries or illnesses do not worsen. Also make sure the chick's feet are under its body, not sticking out
Step 6. Do not feed the chicks
Each bird species requires a special type of food so don't make the chicks sicker or weaker by giving them foods they shouldn't eat. When a chick is injured, it will use all of its energy to fight off the shock and pain it is experiencing. Therefore, do not force him to put all his energy into eating.
You also shouldn't give water to birds as water can fill their stomachs
Step 7. Wash your hands after handling chicks
If you touch it, you should wash your hands thoroughly to prevent transmission of disease or parasites.
You will also need to wash items that have been in physical contact with birds, such as towels, blankets or jackets
Part 3 of 3: Seeking Animal Rehabilitation Help
Step 1. Contact an animal protection center in your city
After you've made a temporary nest for a chick that was injured or abandoned by its mother, try contacting an animal protection center in your city. You can find the nearest protection center by contacting several parties, such as:
- Wildlife sanctuary in your city/area
- Organizations dealing with conservation issues, such as The Humane Society or WWF
- Veterinarians specializing in wild or exotic animals
- Institutions such as the Ministry of Environment and Forestry
- Wildlife Rehab Info Directory (You can visit the website and search for rehabilitation centers in Indonesia)
Step 2. Describe the condition of the chicks you found
After you have successfully contacted the animal rehabilitation center, explain the symptoms the chick is showing and provide information about the age of the bird (in this case, whether the chick is a baby bird or a young bird). You also need to remember where the chicks were found because the rehabilitation center can use this location information when they later release the chicks back into their natural habitat.
Step 3. Take the chicks to a rehabilitation center for treatment
Take the chicks (in temporary nests) to the nearest rehabilitation center for treatment as soon as possible so they can be treated and released back into the wild.
