What Should You Do If You Find a Lost Baby Bird?

When the weather starts getting warmer, it’s not uncommon to stumble upon an adorable baby bird that seems to have lost its way. But while our first instinct may be to pick up the tiny ball of feathers and fluff, bring it home, and nurse it back to health, that’s not always the best idea.

In the short animated video “How to Save a Baby Bird,” Slate explains what to do if you find a chick out of its nest. Distinguishing between hatchlings, nestlings, and fledglings, the video explains how to identify the different stages of bird development, and how to properly help birds in each stage. While the useful little video is full of tips for saving baby birds yourself (and, thankfully, dispels the myth that handling a baby bird could cause its parents to disown it), it notes that the best thing to do when in doubt is to call a wildlife rehabilitator and ask for help. Check it out above.

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