During the first few weeks of spring, these baby birds will spend the majority of their time safely huddled in their nests until they learn to fly. Unfortunately, however, the time when baby birds are most reliant on their nests often coincides with spring landscaping season for humans. This can spell disaster for a new family of birds if the tree or bush where their nest is hidden is recklessly trimmed or pruned.
For WildCare, a California-based animal rescue organization, springtime means an influx of orphaned baby songbirds who have sadly become the victims of irresponsible landscaping. Successfully rescuing and rehabilitating these little birds until they can be released requires an incredible amount of expertise and experience. These newborn birds require a highly specific diet and environment to thrive.
To care for the hundreds of birds who end up at the sanctuary, WildCare started making tiny, knit nests to house the newborns.
As you can see in the photo below, most baby birds are no bigger than the size of a paperclip and need the nests to help keep them warm.
Depending on the species, these babies need to be fed every 25-45 minutes.
While they do require a lot of intensive care, these little guys can fledge over the course of one to three weeks and be released back into the wild shortly thereafter.
And remember, if you’re doing some yard work this spring, be sure to check your trees and shrubs for hidden birds’ nests before you start trimming! If you come across any orphaned or injured fledglings, be sure to contact a professional before trying to move or help the birds in any way. WildCare runs a 24-hour “Living with Wildlife” hotline that can help instruct you on the appropriate steps to take. If you are not located in California, you can also check out one of these hotlines for help.
For more information on songbirds, visit the website below:
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