What to do if you find a baby bird or injured bird?

Here you can find advice on what to do if you find a baby or injured bird. In most cases chicks out of the nest or on the ground should be left alone, however, in certain circumstances it may be necessary to take further action. Read on for more information.

Have you found a sick or injured bird?

It should be kept in mind that the majority of baby birds found outside the nest are not in distress or in need of help. It is not unusual for a baby bird to leave the nest before it is fully capable of flight. This is true of many of our common species, e.g. Blackbird and Robin. Unless you have experience of caring for birds, taking a baby bird in to care may often reduce its chances of survival; the majority of hand-reared baby birds do not survive. This is not a decision to be taken lightly, and should only be done where you are absolutely certain that the chick has been abandoned.

If you encounter a baby bird out in the open, moving it to a safer location with some cover may help its chances. If the chick is very young (with few or no feathers) and you know where the nest is, the best thing to do is to pop the chick back in and let the parents continue to care for it. Do not stay in the vicinity as you may frighten off the adult birds and cause unnecessary stress to the chicks.

Wild Bird First Aid

We would highly recommend the excellent Irish Wildlife Matters website, an online wildlife first aid resource with full details of what to do, whom you should contact and details of vets and wildlife rehabilitators who will be able to help.

Website
stonechat-chick-in-a-persons-hand

Read our latest  news

hen-harrier-in-flight-hunting News
March 28, 2024

Nature Restoration Law may be at a standstill but nature itself continues to decline

March 25th should have been the day that the green flag was raised for the Nature Restoration Law (NRL), a metaphorical starting line for EU Member states to cross, heads…
BoCCIGarden BirdsHedgerowsNewsWildlife Crime
March 26, 2024

From early birds to late bloomers: exploring the nesting patterns of birds

Every March 1st, reminders of the annual hedge-cutting ban are disseminated and rolling in behind them are jokes and comments alluding to birds and their strict schedules.  Of course, birds…

We sell amazing stuff!

Visit our shop and find the essential items for every birdwatcher and wildlife enthusiast. Whether you are a serious twitcher or someone who is looking for a nice gift, we’ve got it sorted. With the added bonus that your purchase is contributing directly to wildlife conservation in Ireland, visit now to see our amazing range.

Find Out More