Nestling or Fledgling?
If the bird is uninjured you should ask yourself “Is it really an orphan?” Nearly always, the answer will be no—most baby birds that people find are actually recent fledglings that cannot fly well. The first thing to do is determine whether it is a nestling or a fledgling. Let the young bird perch on your finger. Is it gripping firmly? If so, it is a fledgling. The best thing to do, to get it out of harm’s way, is to place the baby bird in a shrub or tree—somewhere above the ground—and leave it alone. If the bird seems unable to cling well to your finger or to branches, it is most likely a nestling. Look around in nearby shrubbery or trees for the nest the bird came from. It will probably be well hidden. If you do find the nest, simply put the young bird back in it. If you can’t find it, you can provide a substitute nest by tying a berry basket (the kind with holes in the bottom, for drainage) in a tree. Line it with some tissues or other soft material, put the baby bird inside, and le
Related Questions
- I have noticed that there are various categories of Profiles called Newbie, Novice, Fledgling, Greenhorn, Apprentice, Associate, Journeyman, and Analyst. What are these?
- Is it tragic or wonderful that fledgling bands consider Spinal Tap heroes?
- Does the nestling behavior change before they fledge the nest?
