A chick (fledgling) is a baby bird that has just left its nest. If you see it, the bird is most likely okay and doesn't need help. However, if you believe you have found a chick that needs help, there are things you can do to help it. Most importantly, the bird must be helped so that it can be released back into the wild once it is big and strong enough to care for itself.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Checking If the Chicks Need Help or Not
Step 1. Determine if the chick is a nestling or a fledgling
Fledgling is a young bird that already has feathers and leaves the nest of its own accord, but is still being fed and cared for by its mother. This is a normal phase of bird life that is often misunderstood by humans because most fledglings we meet don't really need our help.
Unlike the fledgling, the nestling is not allowed to leave its nest. Nestlings do not have feathers and cannot stand or perch yet. If you find a nestling (not a fledgling), the bird is more likely to need help
Step 2. Leave the bird alone unless it is in danger (such as encountering a predator or on the road)
Being out of the nest and on the ground is normal for fledglings. In fact, the mother will still feed him when the chicks are on the ground. However, if a chick on the ground is in danger, place the bird in a tree and away from danger. Because in the fledgling stage of development the bird can roost, place the bird on a tree branch far enough from the ground.
- If birds are in your yard, keep your cat or dog out of the house.
- Keep in mind that young, nestling chicks may not survive outside the nest.
Step 3. Don't touch the fledgling unless you're sure the bird needs help
Leave the bird alone and watch for a few moments from a distance. Pay attention to the sound of the birds around you. The mother will likely return to the bird within 1 hour.
Method 2 of 3: Moving Fledgling
Step 1. Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling the bird
This is to prevent transmission of the H5N1 virus (or bird flu) and to prevent germs or bacteria from spreading to birds. However, if the bird is in danger, you can lightly touch or lift it with a towel and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Step 2. Remove and keep fledglings or nestlings out of harm's way
If you find a chick near a predator, you can remove it from the area. Use a tissue or rag to hold and move it. Be sure to do it gently and touch it as quickly as possible.
Step 3. Place the nestling back into the nest
Since they are not supposed to leave the nest, the nestling must return to a warm and safe place. Look at the area around which the bird was found before moving it. Look for the mother or other chicks to see where the nest might be.
- If you can't find the bird's nest, make a new one. Find a small basket or box and fill it with a soft bottom like a tissue. Place the bird in the artificial nest and place it near where you found it. However, for the sake of safety, do not place it on the ground. That way, the chicks will be easily found by the mother and also protected from predators.
- Birds have a very limited sense of smell. So, the mother bird will most likely continue to feed the chicks even if you hold them and leave some of your scent on them.
Method 3 of 3: Keeping the Chicks Alive
Step 1. Contact an animal rehabilitation center as soon as possible
That way, the bird can be immediately handled by a professional. Ask if the party is willing to take care of him or not. While it may not have a place for common species, the organization may have facilities for raising orphan chicks belonging to rare or endangered species.
If you are alone and there is no animal rehabilitation center in your area, contact a local or national organization that can provide assistance
Step 2. Buy a cage or container to keep the birds
Make sure that the chicks cannot escape or injure themselves in the cage. Birds should also have sufficient space and be kept in a warm and safe room from predators.
- Cover the bottom of the cage with a soft mat. Place the cage in a warm and quiet place.
- DO NOT put the water container in the cage. Baby birds will get the water they need from food. The water container will only harm the bird because it can drown it.
Step 3. Find out the type of bird
Before taking care of it, you must first know the type of bird and what it needs to survive. Birds eat a variety of foods. So you should seek information about the food for that bird species before feeding it. This is because the wrong feeding can cause serious disease in birds.
- If you can't immediately identify the type of bird, find a book about birds that live in the area where you live.
- Look for information related to bird species and how to properly care for them on the internet.
Step 4. Find out the right food for the bird
Baby birds should be given proper food. Some species eat fruits and insects and there are also some birds that must be fed special formula milk. This really depends on the type and age of the bird.
- After identifying the species, birds that eat protein can be fed a mixture of baby bird food with meal or earthworms. In addition to baby bird formula, fruit-eating birds can also be fed fresh berries (such as blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries) that are blended.
- Baby bird formula can be purchased at most pet shops.
Step 5. Feed the birds
After knowing the nutritional needs of the chicks, you can use a small spoon for the baby or a straw with the end cut like a spoon to give the bird the food mixture. A syringe without a needle can also be used, but don't put too much food in for the bird to chew properly.
- Feeding birds is a heavy responsibility. You have to feed him very often, even at night. In some places, you even need to have permission from the relevant authorities to care for wild birds yourself.
- Pet shops and bird shops can help you find an animal rehabilitation agency and determine the right way to feed your chicks.
- You can gently massage its throat (cache) while the bird chews its food and keep it warm.
- Don't force feed the birds so they don't bite and don't overeat. Only do this if the bird is a fledgling and hasn't accepted the food you've given him.
- Do not try to open its mouth because the bird will bite. If you must, wear gloves so you don't get hurt.
Step 6. Prepare to release the bird
So that the bird can be released again, do not touch it too much. If you think of you as the parent or the species, birds will not be afraid of humans and will not survive in the wild.
Tips
- Consult with the local or national bird conservation agency if there are no staff in the area around the bird to help.
- DO NOT nestling water as it will suck it into the lungs. Nestlings get the water they need from food. For fledglings, you can give them a few drops of water using a needleless syringe. Fledgling will be able to drink and swallow it himself.
Warning
- Wash your hands before and after touching birds.
- Keep any pets away from birds. If you have a cat, keep the aviary up high so the cat doesn't disturb it.
