Stray bird.HELP!!!!

[rafferty]

Hi
I need some advice. Theres a small bird (possibly a baby starling) in a shady part of my garden. It obviously cannot fly very well, and no bird has come to collect it. I know you should not go near an abandoned bird as it greatly reduces the likeliehood of the mother returning, but i'd hate it to come to any harm.Anyone got any idea of how long i should leave the tiny bird before trying to help it? (it's been sitting there for a good couple of hours now)Also, how can i help it?
Any advice is greatly appreciated

[Gilli]

Oh gosh .... we got back late Sat/early Sunday and found a fledgling blackbird (I think) sat in front of the door. When approached it just flapped about a bit & didn't (couldn't ?) fly.

Sad to say, it ended up disappearing into the undergrowth where I expect it either died or was later caught. Unless it's obvious that it's fallen from a nest and you can reach to replace it, in my past experience, when I've "had" baby birds, they always seem to die - maybe from the trauma - anyway despite me trying to feed it.

It's sad, but you have to look upon it as being part of the bigger picture of nature.

[dmsjps]

Hi rafferty, it's true that unless you know what you're doing there really is nothing you can do. A similar question was asked in the last week or so, so you might what to look that up for suggestions.

[Cetti]

Have a look on this RSPB site rafferty for all the information you will need:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/faqs/breeding_season.asp

[KittyGlitter]

rafferty, is it ok now? The experts always say leave the babies alone as the parents aren't usually far away.

[rafferty]

hi
Just to update you. the bird was fine, i found out from the website cetti sent me to (thank you) that small birds often leave the nest a couple of days before they can fly properly. Once out of the nest, they practise flying and their parents keep a distance away. I watched the bird and later on its parent came down to feed it, so im guessing this is what happened.

Thanks for all your help.

[Cetti]

Thank you for letting us know rafferty - that's great news :-)