In late spring, you might see fully feathered birds hopping around on the ground that can’t fly but are not in any sort of distress. Songbirds on Vancouver Island fledge on the ground, so they’ll spend three to four days on the ground.
Sometimes people intervene when they don’t necessarily need to and can cause harm.
Healthy fledglings can stand upright and will tuck their wings tightly against their bodies. If you come upon a fledgling on the ground, consider the questions below. If the answer to any of these questions is yes, contact your local wildlife centre as soon as possible for advice:
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Are there bloody wounds, wet feathers, legs that aren’t bearing weight, drooping wings, or matted or highly ruffled feathers?
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Is the bird lying on its side or back or scooting along the ground on its stomach?
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Is the bird’s body or head tilting to one side? Is there blood around the nostrils?
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Is the bird cold to the touch and/or noticeably shivering?
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Is the bird in the wide open, nowhere near trees or bushes?
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Are other animals, such as dogs or cats, stalking the bird?
What’s the difference between a fledgling and a nestling? A nestling is still in the nest, usually with little to no feathers, and completely dependent on its parents for care. A fledgling has left the nest but can’t fly and is still being cared for by its parents.
If you come across a fallen nestling that isn’t injured, shaking, or weak and you can locate the nest, use clean or gloved hands to place the bird back into the nest quickly. Parents of nestlings will continue to feed them if they’re responsive, and no people or threatening animals are lingering nearby.
What’s the most important way you can help young songbirds? Keep your dogs and especially your cats inside. Cats are particularly deadly for birds. Even well-fed, pampered cats will hunt and kill. Every year, domestic and feral cats kill between 100 million and 350 million birds in Canada. Some bird species are in serious decline as a result.
Cat attacks are one of the primary reasons birds, especially smaller species, are admitted to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (NIWRA). Bacteria found in the saliva and mouth of a cat can cause swift and fatal infection in a bird’s bloodstream.
NIWRA, a non-profit organization, is situated in Errington. We are open to the public daily for viewing of non-releasable animals. Please visit our website at www.niwra.org to learn more about our programs, read stories about our animals, and learn how you can help care for wildlife.
