Baby birds - nurture or neglect?

Our magnificent Macedon Ranges is host to great beauty, and in spring the airwaves are alive with birdsong.  

The meeting of natural environment and human habitation can present us with a dilemma: what to do when a baby bird is apparently abandoned in our midst?

The precocial chicks (born with open eyes, down cover, and able to walk and feed independently) include our Wood and Black Ducks, Dusky Moorhens, White faced Herons, and Straw Necked Ibis.   Precocial chicks may become separated from their parents by wandering, interference or misadventure.  They are best left alone, on the ground in a safe place, until their parents feel comfortable returning.  You can carefully place the chick/ducking under cover of nearby vegetation, and secure the area by locking up your dog or cat, and discouraging human activity around the bird (perhaps the kids can take the dog for a walk elsewhere?)

Altricial chicks are those born with eyes closed, little or no feathering, and completely dependent on their parents until they leave the nest.  Here we have Magpies and Magpie-Larks, New Holland Honeyeaters, Willie Wagtails and a plethora of beautiful parrots.   As fledglings, these birds are mostly feathered, and start flying under parental supervision.  If they have tried to fly early or been blown from the nest, you can help them out by creating an artificial nest as close to where you found the chick as possible.  Place the fledgling in a container (eg a small bucket with drain holes, leaves and a stick to climb out) and secure it into the tree branches.   The parents should return to protect and feed it.

With either type of baby bird, if the parents do not return by nightfall, you may place the chick into a small ventilated box, keeping it warm and quiet, and seek the advice of your local vet or wildlife carers.

Dr Caitlin Horwood