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I've Found a Baby Bird!
Use this quick step-by-step guide to find out if the bird you've found needs help, and if so where to find assistance.
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What Should I Do...?
Useful information on how to resolve some common situations involving altricial baby birds.
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How Can I Help?
There are many ways that you can make a critical difference for baby birds. Please take action today!
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In My Neighbourhood
A guide to the wonderful and varied baby birds you can find right in your own back yard!
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About T.W.C.
Since 1993, Toronto Wildlife Centre has helped many thousands of wild animals in need. Find out more about the work we do.
HelpBabyBirds.ca
Copyright © 2010 Toronto Wildlife Centre.
Welcome
Ah, the splendor of summer. The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and the birds are welcoming their new chicks into the world.
Have you ever wondered about the birds in your neighbourhood? Ever encounter a baby bird and didn’t know whether you should intervene? The Help Baby Birds campaign aims to provide information about the normal stages of development in common bird species, so that people know when to give babies a hand, and when to steer clear.
For example, a lot of people don’t know that many baby songbirds - like sparrows, robins, finches, blue jays, and cardinals - leave the nest once they are fully feathered, but before they can fly. These fledglings, as they’re called at this stage of life, jump around in trees or on building ledges or even on the ground. They can hop well and flutter their wings, but they just can’t fly yet. Fledglings don’t need our help! Their parents still bring them food while they’re learning how to forage on their own and gaining the strength to fly.
There are some situations where baby birds do need help, however - like very young birds who have accidentally fallen from the nest, or baby ducks or geese who have become separated from their parents. For more information on how to help, have a look around this site, or download our information sheet.