Does this baby bird really need to be rescued?

Baby birds have the best chance of survival if they are with their parents.
Sometimes babies get "rescued" when rescue is not really needed - we call it "chick-napping,"
and it can be fatal for baby birds.

Please check the information below to help determine if a chick needs help.
If you are still in doubt, please contact us or your nearest Wildlife Rehabilitator for advice.

✱ Please never attempt to give a baby bird food or water - seek help from an experienced Wildlife Rehabilitator.

Is the baby bird in immediate danger, visibly injured, or has it been picked up by a cat?

Yes

Please carefully catch it, keep it warm, and contact your closest Wildlife Rescue or Wildlife Rehabilitator.

See “About Us” page for help finding a facility near you. Your local SPCA may also be able to refer you to rescues in your area.

If you have found a native bird, you can contact the NZ Department of Conservation (DOC) at 03 4770677 during working hours for instructions. (After normal working hours: DOC emergency hotline, 0800 362468)

No

Look at images below to determine your next steps.

I’m a hatchling:

◦ Eyes closed
◦ Mostly pink
◦ May have a few feathers or baby fuzz

I’m a nestling:

◦ Eyes open
◦ Can still see pink skin here and there
◦ Quite a few feathers, some may be fuzzy
◦ Some feathers still in their white sheaths

I’m a fledgling:

◦ Fully feathered
◦ Not quite able to fly – can flutter and hop
◦ Short tail feathers

Hatchlings and nestlings should be returned to their nest if possible.

Can you find their nest? If so, put them back. Don’t worry, the parents will not reject the baby because you have touched it.

Can you see the nest but not reach it? If so, make a replacement - be inventive! - and put it as close as possible to the real nest.

If the baby is cold, please warm up gently and carefully before replacing into nest. You can try holding baby in your warm hands or placing on a towel-wrapped hottie or wheat bag until they are warm to the touch. Be very careful not to burn their delicate skin.

Watch for at least 1 hour to make sure parents are around and feeding baby bird.

Fledglings are supposed to be on the ground!

This is an important stage of their development; they are learning to fly and find food. Their parents are nearby watching and feeding them.

You can move them to a safe spot nearby if they are in danger, and then watch to be sure parents are around.

Do not take them away or move them unless absolutely necessary!!!

If you can’t find the baby bird’s nest, the parents are not around, or the baby bird is in imminent danger: