(by Grace McCulloch)
If it’s fully feathered and hopping around, it’s a fledgling—not a helpless baby! Leave it be if you can. Its parents are nearby and still feeding it as it learns to fly and survive. If it’s in danger (e.g., near a sidewalk or cats), gently move it to a low branch or dense shrub nearby.
If the bird is tiny, mostly featherless, or has closed eyes, it’s a nestling and needs to be returned to the nest right away. Watch quietly for 1–2 hours to make sure the parents come back. And don’t worry, handling it won’t cause the parents to abandon it. That’s a myth!
Can’t find the nest or see no sign of the parents returning to the nest of the nestling? Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator—never try to raise a baby bird yourself. NH Audubon doesn’t take orphaned or injured wildlife, but NH Fish and Game has a list of licensed rehabbers.
Let’s give baby birds their best shot! Find more on our Ask the Naturalist page under Baby Birds.