• Parents are known to be dead
• Is injured, bleeding, broken wing or leg
• Fire ants or flies
• Lethargic, laying on its side
• Cat or dog caught
• Fishing line or other object tangled in the wing or body
• Shivering is cold, featherless or nearly featherless and you cannot safely return to the nest.
• Wandering and vocalizing

• A nestling should be returned to the nest for care and warmth from the parents. If you can safely return the nestling, do so.
• Birds will not reject a baby you have handled.
• If the entire nest and several nestlings are on the ground, you can get the nest and babies put in a small wicker basket or a cool whip container with holes in the bottom to allow for drainage.  The container needs to be shallow as the parents will not accept a deep container.  Attach to the tree as close to the original site as you can safely do so.  Go inside and watch from a window to determine if the parents have resumed care.  If they do not resume care within two hours proceed with rescue.

• The fledgling will be on the ground hopping around. At this stage they are often kidnapped by well meaning individuals who do not understand the process of learning to fly which will take several days up to a couple of weeks depending on the species. The parents will continue to feed and protect the bird.  Normally the fledgling will hide in shrubbery or undergrowth.  If you see the parent do not rescue unless the fledgling is injured.

Keep mosquito or solar screens up all year.

Hang wind chimes with shinny objects above the window.

Move feeders or bird baths, either within 3 feet of the window, which will limit collision opportunity, or more than 30 feet away so that the birds will recognize the whole house instead of the reflection.

Keep your vertical blinds at least halfway closed and shades, or curtains closed to reduce reflection.

At night, keep your lights off or close your curtains and shades.

Relocate house plants several feet away from the window.

These products are recommended for bird strikes. Your purchase through our product page supports the DFW Wildlife Coalition Hotline.

Apply decals, spacing them across and up and down the window. Many art and craft stores carry decals.

Apply a window film to the outside of the window. There are transparent window films that allow light in while appearing opaque on the outside

Apply bird tape.

Install a “Zen curtain”

BUILDING OR REPLACING WINDOWS:  Further solutions especially if you are building a home or replacing your windows. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/why-birds-hit-windows-and-how-you-can-help-prevent-it/

• A simple solution of placing an inverted laundry basket over the bird to give them time to sober is usually all that is needed.
• If they are located near the street or pets are present that could cause harm, you may need to relocate them to a safer place.

Barn Swallows build mud and straw nest and like to place the nest around the eaves and vertical structures of our homes.  Swallows eat insects and are beneficial to our neighborhoods.  However, it is understandable that the activity of a nest of baby swallows can be messy and a health concern.  Swallows are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.  An active nest with eggs or babies cannot be removed or harassed.  

To understand and resolve conflict you need a brief on the natural history.  The breeding season is March through September with two clutches of 3 to 5 young. Once eggs are laid they incubate 13-17 days. Once hatched the babies will fledge in 18-21 days of which the first week and a half or so, the parents eat the feces.  The conflict begins when this period ends after hatching and the babies start defecating over the rim of the nest. This will be a period of approximately two weeks where placing newspaper, or plastic tablecloth or tarp on the porch or automobile or patio furniture will make clean up easier.  Once the babies fledge they will come and go from the nest for several weeks. The bulk of the conflict will be the two weeks prior to fledging. Patience needs to be exercised as this conflict is short term and the benefit is insect reduction in your yard and neighborhood.

Once the nest is empty and prior to the second clutch, you may remove the nest.  You may need to continually interrupt nest construction by washing away the mud until the swallows become discouraged and move elsewhere.  REMEMBER you cannot destroy an active nest.  Other deterrents are hanging plants at the location of the nest or other moving objects such as windsocks, blowing devices, or strips of aluminum foil.  Play distress swallow calls may alarm the birds to relocate.

You may want to encourage the swallows to nest at another location or you may want to make a permanent modification to prevent further nest building these topics are in the following links.

https://fws.gov/story/nuisance-swallows

http://www.dfwwildlife.org/BirdSwallow.pdf

City ponds and small lakes that have an adequate food supply often attract more ducks than can nest near the water. When this happens, some ducks will nest well away from the pond to avoid competition and harassment. 

I have been seeing two ducks hanging around.  What does that mean? Male and female ducks pair off in the fall.  Around the end of February, they will begin looking for a place to lay the eggs.  Egg- laying is very stressful for momma duck as she lays more than half her body weight in eggs within a couple weeks. She needs rest and depends heavily on the daddy to protect her and their environment.  Once momma lays all the eggs, daddy leaves.  So, if you are seeing two, they are likely building the nest or laying eggs.  If you find a nest full of duck eggs, leave it alone.  It is unlikely to have been abandoned.

1. As soon as you notice momma duck sitting on her nest, begin putting food out for her in a pet carrier. Prop the door open.  Be sure momma can easily fit into the carrier and you can easily carry it.  She will get used to going in the carrier for food.  After the ducklings have hatched and are getting out of the nest, give her the normal meal making sure the door can be easily closed.  Once she is inside, close the door and cover the carrier so that it is dark, which will lessen her panicking.
2. Have a laundry basket (tight weave) ready to put over the ducklings once the mother is contained.  They normally stand together in a tight bunch.  Try not to chase the ducklings as this could cause them to panic and scatter and you may not be able to find them.
3. Carefully put the ducklings into a box or other carrier.  Do not put them in with momma as she may escape.  This experience will be very stressful for all of them, so try to stay silent and handle them as little as possible.
4. While transporting the ducks, keep the containers together so momma knows her ducklings are there.  Keep noise to a minimum.  Do not play the radio.
5. Once you get to the water, set momma’s carrier down facing the direction you will release the ducklings.  Uncover the front of the carrier so she can see where you are releasing them.  Release them on an open bank where they can stand and easily get in and out of the water.  Release away from other duck families.
6. Be sure momma has seen the ducklings before you release her.  Stand behind or to the side of the carrier so that she doesn’t see you.  Open the door so she can walk straight out to the ducklings


Do not take the ducklings down to the nearest pond by themselves as they most certainly will not survive and their mother will not find them.  Young ducklings can feed themselves as soon as they reach water, but they must learn what is edible.  They also depend on their mother for warmth and protection.  She broods them regularly, particularly at night, as they easily chill in cool weather.  Ducklings can die from hypothermia even if the weather is warm.  Orphaned ducklings will also quickly fall prey to the elements, other ducks, turtles, and egrets and herons.  Momma duck must protect her ducklings from being attacked by other ducks as other females will kill stray ducklings that are close to her nest.

If one day you suddenly see ducklings in your backyard (and your yard is fenced), there was a nest somewhere on your property.  The best thing to do is leave them alone.  They will fly away in 7 – 8 weeks from hatching.

Although it is best to leave them alone until they can fly, sometimes that is not always possible or desired.  If the nest is quite a distance from water, their journey can be quite dangerous.  Some people may want to walk along with them until they safely reach water.  Most of the time it is best not to do this since interfering can cause undue stress and may cause momma duck to panic and fly off, abandoning the ducklings.  If there is a lot of traffic or other dangers, keeping your distance and shepherding them across busy roads may be beneficial.

To get the family out of the yard, you can shepherd them out by creating a “moving wall.”  Have people hold sheets between them and move behind the ducks, forcing them to walk in the desired direction.  Be sure you have enough people to keep them from scattering.

If you choose to go along, simply map out the safest route to a nearby pond or stream.  Stay quiet, keep your distance and do not run.

Do not take the ducklings down to the nearest pond by themselves as they most certainly will not survive and their mother will not find them.  Young ducklings can feed themselves as soon as they reach water, but they must learn what is edible.  They also depend on their mother for warmth and protection.  She broods them regularly, particularly at night, as they easily chill in cool weather.  Ducklings can die from hypothermia even if the weather is warm.  Orphaned ducklings will also quickly fall prey to the elements, other ducks, turtles, and egrets and herons.  Momma duck must protect her ducklings from being attacked by other ducks as other females will kill stray ducklings that are close to her nest.

You can also encourage them to leave by using the deterrent tactics listed under Ducks – How can I keep ducks from making a nest and laying eggs in my backyard?  If you do this, provide them with an opening where they can walk out of your yard.

Be sure to use the deterrent tactics next year and future years to prevent them from nesting in your yard in the first place.

How exciting to be able to witness a clutch of ducklings grow.  Yes, ducks can be messy, but the gratification can far outweigh the inconvenience not to mention the peace of mind you gain knowing you are giving them the best chance of surviving this vulnerable time.  While your little family is growing over the next 7 – 8 weeks, here are some things to know: 

1. 1. Safeguard your pool. Pools can be deadly to ducklings.  Getting stuck in the skimmer or not being able to get out of the pool are both dangers to ducklings, and because they are not waterproof, they can become waterlogged and drown.  If you have a pool service, be sure they know what to do as well.  You can eliminate these dangers by doing the following:
      
      
      1. 1. Provide a way to get out of the pool. There are both homemade and commercial options to provide a way out of the pool.
            • Bricks:  Put bricks on the first pool step to build a “stairway” they can use to jump out.
            • Pool Chair:  Put a pool chair half in/half out of the pool.  You can cover it with a wet beach towel to give the ducklings traction and a more solid surface
            • Ramp:  A quick and easy ramp is to use the lid of a cooler and a beach towel.  Wet the towel and drape it over the cooler lid and edge of the pool to create a “floating dock” they can use to jump out of the pool.
            • FrogLog:  Floating mesh escape ramp (see our Products page)
            • Skamper Ramp:  Lightweight plastic ramp (see our Products page)
      
      
      
      1. 1. Keep water level low.  With the water level low enough that it just barely enters the skimmer, ducklings will not be trapped in the skimmer by the float.  At this water level, ducklings can escape the skimmer and you can still run the pump.  Keep an eye on the water so it doesn’t get below the skimmer opening.
      
      
      
      1. Chemicals. While your little family is sharing your backyard, use as little chemicals as possible.  That doesn’t mean you can’t use any chemicals, but if there is a chance they can get in the pool, do not “shock” it until they are gone.  Also, you can provide a clean water source for them to drink so they are not drinking the chlorinated pool water.  Make sure all chemicals are cleaned up so that the ducklings don’t eat it.
      
      
      
   2. To encourage the ducklings to not get in your swimming pool, place an alternative plastic kiddie pool with ramps (so they can get in and out) in the yard. To keep the ducklings away from the swimming pool, install a temporary 18-inch-high fence around your swimming pool.  Plastic poultry fencing with easy insert poles can be used for the fencing.  As an added measure, float several beach balls in the swimming pool as a deterrent.  Be sure to keep clean water in the plastic kiddie pool. 

1. 1. Keep pets inside or on a leash when in the yard.

1. 1. This is a great opportunity for children to learn about wildlife, and a great time to teach them to respect wildlife.  Explain that momma duck and ducklings cannot be disturbed or played with, that they are very fearful of humans and it will be very stressful for the ducks if approached.  It may also cause momma duck to fly away, and the ducklings will be without their mother.  One way to make the experience exciting for children without disturbing the family is to create a scrapbook of the experience and fill it with pictures (taken from a distance) and stories.  Children’s books are a good way to help them understand and what to expect.  Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey or A Cuddle for Little Duck by Claire Freedman and Caroline Pedler for younger children are two good choices.

1. Supplement feed.  Feeding them certainly isn’t required, but if your yard doesn’t provide enough food, momma will need to move them, or they will starve. Ducks are omnivores, which means they eat animals and plants, such as insects, snails, worms, aquatic plants, and grasses.  Because your yard may not have enough variety to support their nutritional needs, you can supplement feed with Mazuri Waterfowl Starter. You can buy Mazuri on their website or search on their website for a store near you.  Only use feeds designated for waterfowl as poultry feed causes wing deformities.  Do not feed them bread, processed food or junk food or anything else that they wouldn’t eat in the wild.  Improper nutrition can cause deformities and illnesses.  Put enough pellets for the ducks to eat quickly on water.  Start with a small amount, then put more to see how much they will eat so that you aren’t wasting it.  It will float for a short amount of time, for a more natural feeding, plus it softens in the water.

Your duck family will grow quickly but will not be able to fly until 7-8 weeks.  No matter how hospitable you are, they will still leave to find a new home and eventually have their own ducklings, which they will do around one year old.