Iowa Feathers of Fortune: A Tale of Saving Birds and the Art of Nestlings

As I left the station, the other day, I noticed what looked like an injured bird.  It was on the parking ramp moving slowly and didn’t run or fly away.  The overwhelming urge was to scoop the little fella up and save the day.  That’s when Mom told me she was close, and they didn’t need my help.  Luckily, I had my bird to English dictionary.  I tucked my cape in my pants, got back in the car, and drove away.  The animal rescue was not needed, this time.   

Doing the right thing 

Probably 30 years ago I was walking our Basset Hound, Cassie, and she had her snout pressed on something.  When she came up for air it was a little bird she was sniffing. I wasn’t sure what to do so I called our vet, and they gave me solid advice, leave it alone! 

You can help 

The little birdie on the parking deck did not require attention but sometimes they do.  What can you do, if anything?  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says if you find a nestling.  The best thing to do is simply place it back in the nest. There is an old tale, that if you touch a baby bird its mother will reject it and that is simply not the case. If you cannot locate the nest, leave the nestling where you found it or move it to a shaded area.  The parents will come back. 

CityWildlife.org says sometimes you do nothing.  In these specific instances, you may want to intervene.   

• There is immediate danger to the nestling 
• There are signs of injury or blood 
• The nestling is shivering, cold, or weak 
• It was in the mouth of a dog or cat.   

Baby birds' best chance at survival is with their mother.