Identification
Not all baby birds are raised in a nest (altrical), some are ready to take on the world the day they are born (prococial). Seek advice to correctly identify a baby bird before placing it in a make shift nest.
Featherless
I have no feathers to keep me warm, if Mum and Dad do not return soon, I will need to be taken into care. Please keep me warm on transport to a Wildlife Hospital or Veterinary Clinic.
Fledgling
I have just left the nest and I am learning to fly under the watchful eye of Mum and Dad. I am on the ground for a reason, so please do not “rescue” me unless I am in danger; in this case place me on a branch for safety.
Kidnapping
Do not take me from my parents, they can teach me all then lessons and survival skills I need to know as a bird; how to fly, what food to eat, how to find food and how to avoid predators. So please do not rescue me unless I am in danger, in this case place me on a branch for safety.
Veterinarian
If I am sick, injured or have been in a cat or dog’s mouth I will need Veterinary attention. Please keep me warm on transport to a Wildlife Hospital or Veterinary Clinic.
Legislation
Under the Queensland Nature Conservations Act 1992, it is illegal to take protected wildlife from the wild. Registered carers can help, contact your local Wildlife Group or Wild life Hospital.
4 Easy Steps To Making A New Home
1 – If the bird is really young and has soft and fluffy down instead of feathers and you are not able to place it in its original nest, then you need to make a new home using a bucket, (approx 40-50cm deep) with holes punched in the bottom for drainage.
2 – Put in a layer of soft leaves or grass. Place a stick (about 60cm long) in the bucket and secure it into one of the drainage holes, so the parents and baby bird can get in and out.
3 – Hang bucket head height in a leafy protected area, away from direct sunlight and as close as possible to where you found it. Mum and Dad do not mind if we are in a different tree or if the baby has been handled by a human.
4 – Watch from a distance to make sure the parents return to feed the baby. If the new home is disturbed, this may take hours. If the parents do not return by dark, we will need to go into care.
