First issue May 1997

For a printable (PDF) version click here

If you see a young bird alone in the middle of your garden, the most natural thing that you would want to do is to pick it up and look after it. But before doing this you should think carefully about why it is there and the implications of your taking it. The most important consideration is the well-being of the bird and that might be best served by leaving it where it is or, regrettably, by putting it down.

Assessing the options

Many songbird chicks leave the nest when still unable to fly and for a number of days rely on their parents to bring them food, so the fledgling on the lawn might well be awaiting its next meal. In fact the parents could be close by keeping an eye on it - and on you.

If you feel that it is exposed and in danger where it is you could put it in some nearby cover so that the parents will still be able to find it to give it food. Don't put it back in the nest as this might disturb any chicks remaining there. If all the young have already left the nest then the parents will probably not return there and the chick may starve. The exception to this is if the chick is small and unfeathered and has obviously fallen out of the nest by accident.

Whatever you do it is best to leave the chick for a couple of hours and then come back and check to make sure that it really is in difficulty. If you think the bird is truly orphaned and unable to take care of itself there are several options open to you. The simplest is to leave it where it is and let nature take its course. Although this may seem harsh, remember that a very high proportion of young birds die before they reach maturity.

If you decide that the bird needs your help, you could take it in and care for it yourself, although this will not be easy. We give some advice below.

Another option with an orphaned bird is to take it to a wildlife rescue organisation. These can be found in most areas and can be contacted through the Trust or the RSPCA.

The final option is to put the bird down which may be the most sensible course if it is injured (see below). If you do not know how to do this then find someone who does or take the bird to a vet.

Looking after a chick

Young birds are fed constantly by their parents and should not go more than an hour without receiving food during daylight hours; regular hourly feeds should be sufficient. The next difficulty is in finding the right food. Crushed, soaked biscuit, scrambled egg and small pieces of ox heart mixed together will suit most young songbirds, or you can give the chick natural food such as earthworms, caterpillars, flies, aphids and mealworms, depending on its size. The best way to feed is with a pair of blunt tweezers or a fine paint brush and a vitamin supplement should always be added.

The bird can be kept in a cardboard box or a suitable cage which should be kept clean and in a warm place such as an airing cupboard - warmth is very important, especially for chicks that are not fully feathered.

The final problem with rearing a chick is releasing it, as a bird raised in captivity is unlikely to be able to find food for itself straight away so may need feeding after release.

Be careful not to assume that the precocious chicks of waders, gulls, terns and some waterbirds are orphaned. These birds leave the nest after only a few days and then can either find their own food or are fed by their parents wherever they are. A particular example is the Ringed Plover which nests on beaches and so can come into contact with humans quite often. The small fluffy chicks can look very vulnerable and, although the adults may not be anywhere in sight, they will just be waiting for their parent to bring the next meal. The best thing to do here is get clear of the area as the parents will not come back while you are there.

Sick or injured birds

Similar problems as with orphans arise when dealing with a sick or injured bird. The most likely reason for finding an injured bird in an urban situation is a close encounter with a cat, a car or a window. If the bird is uninjured, often all that is needed is an hour or so in a quiet, dark box for it to recover enough to be released. The patient will often have perked up noticeably and become more lively and should be given some food, if you have anything suitable, prior to release. Release it either where it was found or in a more suitable place away from the original danger.

If there is something more seriously wrong with it then more consideration is necessary. If a wing is badly broken or there is some other serious injury which will mean that the bird could never live freely in the wild again, then it may be kinder to put the bird down at the start. If you are prepared to pay, a vet will examine the casualty and fix it up if possible, however the most likely scenario is that the vet will suggest that it is put down anyway. A wildlife hospital or rescue centre is another possibility and will not cost you any money although a donation will be gratefully received.

The least recommended option is to look after the injured bird yourself. In this situation you must remember the main aim is to release the bird as soon as possible. The longer an animal is in care the less likely it is to be able to go back into the wild.

It is essential to find out what species the bird is as this will affect the food it requires and may also affect the legal position. It is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) to take a bird from the wild but not in order to look after a sick or injured one and eventually release it, but any species on schedule 4 of that Act can only be kept by a registered keeper. If you come across an injured bird on this schedule you should contact the RSPCA immediately.

Species on schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act

These species can only be kept by somebody who is registered officially as a keeper:

• Avocet
• Bearded Tit
• Bee-eater
• Bittern
• Black-necked Grebe
• Black Redstart
• Black-tailed Godwit
• Black Tern
• Black-winged Stilt
• Bluethroat
• Birds of prey (all species)
• Cetti's Warbler
• Chough
• Cirl Bunting
• Common Quail
• Common Scoter
• Corncrake
• Crested Tit
• Crossbills (all species)
• Dartford Warbler
• Divers (all species)
• Dotterel
• Fieldfare
• Firecrest
• Golden Oriole
• Green Sandpiper
• Greenshank
• Hoopoe
• Kentish Plover
• Kingfisher
• Lapland Bunting
• Leach's Petrel
• Little Bittern
• Little Ringed Plover
• Little Tern
• Long-tailed Duck
• Marsh Warbler
• Purple Sandpiper
• Red-backed Shrike
• Red-necked Phalarope
• Redwing
• Roseate Tern
• Ruff
• Savi's Warbler
• Serin
• Scarlet (Common) Rosefinch
• Shorelark
• Short-toed Treecreeper
• Slavonian Grebe
• Snow Bunting
• Spoonbill
• Spotted Crake
• Stone Curlew
• Temminck's Stint
• Velvet Scoter
• Whimbrel
• Woodlark
• Wood Sandpiper
• Wryneck

Summary…

• The welfare of the bird must always come first.
• Never interfere with a young bird unless you are sure that is orphaned and unable to take care of itself.
• Young birds need regular hourly feeding and the type of food is very important. They must also be kept warm.
• Don't make them into pets; release them into the wild as soon as possible.
• It may be kinder to put a bird down if it will never live freely in the wild again. If in doubt contact the Trust or the RSPCA.