26/06/2026
Baby birds don’t always need rescuing! 💚
We’re seeing lots of concerned people bringing in young birds that have been found on the ground. While we completely understand the instinct to help, many of these little birds actually don’t need rescuing at all.
If you find a fluffy, fully feathered baby bird hopping around on the ground, it’s most likely a fledgling. This is a normal stage of development where they’re learning to fly. Although they may look vulnerable, their parents are usually nearby keeping a close eye on them and returning regularly to feed them.
What should you do?
✅ Leave them where they are if they’re safe. Their parents are almost certainly still caring for them.
✅ If they’re in immediate danger (for example, in the middle of a road or where cats are nearby), gently move them a short distance to a nearby bush, hedge or sheltered spot. Their parents will still be able to find them.
🚑 Please only bring a bird to us if it is clearly injured, for example:
• It has a visible wound or bleeding.
• It has a drooping wing or obvious broken leg.
• It has been caught by a cat or dog.
• It is unable to stand or is unresponsive.
🐣 If the bird has very few feathers or is mostly naked, it may be a nestling rather than a fledgling. If you can safely locate the nest, it’s perfectly fine to place it back.
Our local wildlife charities are incredibly busy at the moment, especially during the hot weather. Leaving healthy fledglings with their parents gives them the very best chance of growing into strong, healthy adult birds and helps wildlife rescuers focus on the animals that genuinely need urgent care.
Thank you for caring so much about our local wildlife—and if you’re ever unsure, give us a call before bringing a bird in. We’re always happy to advise. 💚🐦
