Wildlife Rescue

I found an orphaned baby bird! What do I do now?

Nothing, in most cases. Even well-intentioned rescue attempts can prevent such “orphans” from surviving. If the baby bird has feathers, it may be a fledgling, or a young bird that just left the nest. The parents continue to feed fledglings even after they have left the nest. If it looks like the whole nest has fallen from the tree, try returning nest and bird to a tree, and wait and see if the parents return. If the nest is broken, a small box can be wired to the tree as a substitute. If the bird is hurt, do not offer first aid, which could do more harm than good. Put the bird in a covered shoebox and seek out a a licensed and trained wildlife rehabilitator.

Find a wildlife rehabilitator through the Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries

For more information about temporary care and transport of injured birds, click here.