atlanta zoo
June 21, 2023

As June draws to a close and July approaches, you may have noticed the native birds becoming more active carrying nesting material and sitting in their carefully woven nests. not. These are signs that the breeding season for native Georgian birds is coming.

When imagining where birds nest, most people think of trees…but your local birds may have other plans. From the bush in front of your window to the shaded corner of your front porch, birds build their nests wherever they feel safest, but it’s not always the best place for their soon-to-be chicks.

It’s common to find chicks stranded under trees, or, more unfortunately, dead chicks on sidewalks. If you find yourself nesting on a terrace, driveway, or other hard surface, put something soft under the nest to cushion it and land safely when the chicks leave the nest. Become.

If you find birds on the ground, it’s important to assess the situation before dealing with them. First, are chicks hatchlings, chicks, fledglings, or adults? Newly hatched chicks have closed eyes and little to no feathers. The chicks have open eyes, fluffy feathers, and a hint of pink skin. The chicks are almost completely feathered, with some remaining fluff.

It’s a common misconception that touching a chick means parents will stop caring for it. This is an error, so if you find a newly hatched chick or chicks on the ground and are able to find a nest, you should carefully return the chicks to the nest and monitor whether the parents are still caring for them. can. For your safety and that of your chick, it is best to wash your hands before and after handling the chick. If you can’t find a nest, the next best thing is to build a nest out of whatever you have around your house and anchor the nest in the tree closest to where the chicks were found. If you’ve followed these steps and still haven’t seen the parents or fresh droppings, it’s best to take the chicks to a bird rehabilitation facility. Photograph the chicks in their nests, place them in shoebox boxes with lids, and give them the kind of warmth they get from their parent birds, such as warmers and microwaved rice socks. Do not try to give food or water. Instead, contact your local bird rehabilitation.

The chicks have most of their wings and are almost fully grown so they can fly around on their own. Newly fledged chicks tend to do this until they are strong enough to fly. Unless the chick is clearly injured, it is safe to leave alone and be careful to keep animals and children away from the area.

by visiting www.wildnestbirdrehab.orgHere you can find more information on what to do if you find a stranded chick or injured bird. You can also donate or volunteer to this organization. During chick season, rehab like this can often be overwhelming and they need as much help as possible. If you don’t have a rehab facility near you, volunteers can help you retrieve the bird or find a rehab facility nearby.

Madeline M.
Keeper I, Bird