• 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.

• What Should I Do...?

  Useful information on how to resolve some common situations involving altricial baby birds.

• How Can I Help?

  There are many ways that you can make a critical difference for baby birds. Please take action today!

• In My Neighbourhood

  A guide to the wonderful and varied baby birds you can find right in your own back yard!

• 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

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I've Found a Baby Bird!

Does the baby bird need help?

If the baby is Altricial and appears healthy, go to the What Should I Do...? section for information on how to resolve common situations, unless the baby bird displays any of the following traits:

• Is larger than a tennis ball
• Is covered in sparse yellow or white hairs
• Has a hooked beak or a beak longer than its head

In these cases, you should contact a wildlife rehabilitator for further advice before intervening, as different instructions may apply.

If the baby is Precocial and found on its own with no parents around, it needs help, as precocial babies normally are near their parents at all times.

If the baby is not in immediate danger, watch from a distance to make sure the parent is truly absent before intervening. Some precocial parents, like killdeer, communicate with their chicks by calling back and forth, though parents and babies may not always be right beside each other.

If you are are sure there are no parents tending to the baby, proceed to Step 4.