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Baby birds hopping around on the ground may be perfectly normal behavior during nesting and fledging seasons. Here is what you need to know about nestlings and fledglings:

Nestlings—Most songbirds are born almost naked and blind—totally dependent upon mom and in some cases, dad, for warmth, food and care. Birds this young are best left for mom to care for if possible. Follow the instructions given for re-nesting, or locate a permitted rehabilitator if re-nesting is not successful.

Although the babies pictured below are beginning to get their pin feathers and they have their eyes open, they still belong in the nest and should be re-nested if possible. Mom will not reject the babies because a human has handled them.

Fledglings—The fledgling stage of a bird’s life is very much like the teenage years for human beings. It is a perfectly normal part of growing up, but there are many dangers encountered during this period. In the case of birds, they are too old to be confined to the nest, but in many cases, they are not able to fly and feed themselves yet. Mom and dad feed and care for fledglings while they are on the ground until they are able to fly. This learning process can take up to 2 weeks. During this time, fledglings are vulnerable to predators such as dogs and cats, foxes, bobcats and coyotes. Because they are so cute and seemingly in peril, fledglings are often kidnapped by well-meaning citizens.

Ground Nesting Birds— Most birds that nest on the ground have babies born ready to run and at least partially feed themselves. This creates a situation where well meaning citizens think the babies are too young to be running around on the ground and there must be something wrong. This is a perfectly normal behavior for a ground nesting bird such as a killdeer (at left). When these eggs hatch, the baby birds will look and act like a miniature adult. It is normal for them to be on the ground. Do not attempt to “rescue” young killdeer unless they are injured.

Some Special Babies—Some rehabilitators care for only hawks and owls - birds of prey. If a baby bird of prey needs to go to a rehabber, it is important that the caller be able to identify the birds.

Even at this young age, the hooked beak is a dead giveaway that the nestlings at right are owls (barn owls). Hawks and owls have hooked beaks for tearing prey into bites small enough to eat.

Although the young great horned owls, below, are a little more recognizable as owls, one could still determine that they are owls by looking at the sharp, curved beak. Likewise, you can clearly see the sharp beak of the baby hawk. Raptors have sharp talons and a sharp, hooked beak.

If after reading the information above you believe you have found an orphaned baby bird, please see the instructions on the Orphaned Bird page.