So
you have found a wild baby bird in distress, and
you think it is a starling? Watch the movie below
to help identify the baby bird. Take careful note
of the photos of starling nestlings and fledglings.
If you do not have Flash enabled and cannot see
the movie, or if you prefer to see still photos,
please click the following link title: Baby
Starling Photos
If
you have found a different species of bird please
click here
for information on the care of different species
of baby birds.
Baby
birds cannot fly when they first leave the nest,
or fledge. If they are fully feathered they need
to be on the ground for a few days to learn. Their
parents are still taking care of them and teaching
them how to fly. These babies do not need our
help except to keep our cats indoors until they
are safely off the ground.
If you find a baby bird, the first thing is to
make sure it is uninjured with no broken bones.
If it has been anywhere near a cat, it is important
to contact a vet or rehabber to get information
on antibiotics for it. Just the smallest nick
or scratch from a cat or dog can be fatal to a
bird!
Hatchling
photographs courtesy of Dr. Ellen Horovitz.
Adult
starling photo courtesy of P. G. Mutalik.
