Baby Birds — Leave Them Alone
6/6/20262 min
Just because a young bird appears to be alone – whether on the ground or squawking loudly from a bush or tree – doesn't necessarily mean it is sick or injured. In June, young birds, including this juvenile Northern Flicker, are leaving their nests. And most likely, a parent is near-by and will soon return. What can you do to help? Keep your cats indoors - especially during the birds' breeding season. And leave the birds alone. If you do find a sick or injured bird, visit the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association or Animal Help Now.
More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsMary McCann0:00
This is BirdNote. [flicker calling] This young northern flicker is calling from the ground. Sound like trouble? Well, just because a young bird is on the ground doesn't necessarily mean it's sick or injured. At this time of year, juvenile northern flickers are leaving their nests. [flicker calling] They fledge when they're three or four weeks old and almost as big as their parents, 11 or 12 inches long. Although you may picture a woodpecker high on a tree trunk, northern flickers, young and old, actually forage mostly on the ground. [flicker calling] So this young flicker, just out of its nest, is poking around in the dirt and leaf litter, looking for ants and other insects. It makes test flights and, day by day, reaches higher and higher into the trees. But you'll still see it regularly, beak down in your lawn, probing for food. [flicker calling] The best thing you can do for the young flicker, and other fledgling birds too, is to give the bird some space, and especially keep your cats indoors. Next spring, this bird will probably be drumming on your roof, advertising for a mate. [flicker calling] To learn what to do if you do find a sick or injured bird, visit our website, birdnote.org. We'll help you find your local wildlife rehabilitator. I'm Mary McCann.