![]() ![]() The majority of these birds are domestic or wild fowl like chickens and turkeys, and waterbirds, such as geese, ducks, grebes and so on. Then there is the other type, called precocial, and they are born with a fine layer of well-developed down all over, have open eyes, and actually leave the nest around 1 or 2 days after hatching. They depend on their parents for food, warmth and protection, and will only leave the nest when they become nutritionally dependent i.e., they can get their own lunch. There are two types of chick, those born with pink exposed skin with perhaps a few patches of down feathers, and with closed eyes, and these are known as altricialbirds. As with any potential emergency, the very first thing you should do is assess the situation The key thing we are looking for here is feathers. We don’t mean knowing the exact age, either. ![]() We know, birds don’t carry ID, and you can’t ask them. You may well need to, but there’s a mental list of a few things to check off first. Take a few moments to study the birdand the environment around you and the bird, and resist the urge to step in just yet. If you can, avoid any handling at this stage, and stay quiet – this bird will be stressed, so keep children and pets away from it. If it’s not yours, employ a little water play and squirt water at it, that usually sends them running… Are there any cats or dogs nearby sniffing out a small snack? If yes, and the animal is yours, move the animal rather than the bird, and take it indoors. Are there any risks involved – is it near or on a road or a busy path like a cycle way? If so, you’ll need to follow the steps below and move the bird to safety, but not too far from where you found it. You know you should do something, but what? Risk assessmentĪs with any potential emergency, the very first thing you should do is assess the situation. Then one day, you find a bird on the ground. But: let us assume all is well, food is plentiful, and those demanding little darlings are growing. We don’t want to disturb the nest or let the parents know we know it is there, and potential predation equates to the same thing: maintaining energy levels is paramount, and birds would rather abandon a nest that seems in peril than exert any more energy on chicks that might not make it, and will head off somewhere else that is safer to try again. If you do become aware of a nest site, always keep your distance, and if you live in a vicinity that has a noticeable population of cats, try and keep an eye on it from time to time. These birds are now doing the work of the parent – finding food, finding it fast, and finding it often, or the little ones may not make it. ![]() You may live near an abandoned building or open barn close by keep a watch out for owls at night or swallows and martins flitting to and fro during the day in the summer skies. If you have trees, shrubs or hedges in your garden or nearby, you may notice bird traffic increasing back and forth. Somewhere, tiny birds are growing ever bigger, becoming ever louder, and jostling with their brothers and sisters for attention from mum and dad. Birds have chased off rivals from the territory, charmed the females with some ever-so-sexy courtship display, and mating has occurred, hopefully successfully. Spring and summer are welcome seasons for many, and with the new seasons comes new life. Sometimes the best thing you can do is absolutely nothing That sounds like we’re advocating cruelty, but bear with us, we will explain. We say, “if anything”, as contrary to that caring urge many of us get when we see a life in potential danger, sometimes the best thing you can do is absolutely nothing. ![]()
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