>>2108231>Observe the bird. Before touching the bird or stressing it in any way, watch to see if it can care for itself or if the parent birds are tending to it. Many times when a human spots a baby bird, they fail to see the nearby parents that are ready and willing to feed and protect their offspring. It may take a half hour or longer for parent birds to return to their baby, however, so patience is essential.Intervene as little as possible. In the case of fledglings, simply moving the bird to a sheltered nearby location out of direct sun is the best choice to give it a helping hand. Younger birds may require more help, but it is always best to interfere with the birds in only minimal ways
Return the bird to the nest. The best place for a baby bird to be is in its own nest. If the hatchling is too young to be out of the nest, gently pick it up and place it back in its nest. If you are unable to find the nest or it is unreachable or destroyed, line a small basket such as a pint berry basket with tissue or grass clippings and place it in the tree as close to the nest site as possible. Be sure the basket is secure (nail it to the tree if necessary) so the baby bird will not tumble out. The parent birds will hear their baby and find it easily, and since most birds have a poor sense of smell, they will not abandon it because it has been touched. It may take an hour or longer for wary adults to approach their baby again, but they will eventually resume caring for the youngster.
Keep the bird safe. If the bird is in imminent danger from a damaged nest, predators, or other unsafe conditions, or if it is visibly injured or ill, it will need immediate help. Gently place the bird in a small box lined with tissues, paper towels, or similar material and cover the top of the box loosely with newspaper or a towel. If necessary, keep the bird indoors in a quiet, safe location until outdoor conditions improve or until a wildlife rehabilitator can take the bird for proper care
