Hand Reared Blackbird

[Alicat58]

My friend found a baby blackbird earlier in the summer which was just small, featherless and no signs of mum or a nest. She has hand reared the bird which is now fully fledged and she has been letting it outside with supervision.
The bird seems either unwilling to or incapable of flying and she is geting worried that it is always going to be dependent on her. Can anyone suggest where she is going wrong or give advice as to how she should be dealing with this problem?

[Bertrum]

The bird has been imprinted it now thinks you are its parents and as in the wild they are often reluctant to give up the gravy train. Offspring in the wild are often forced away by their parents to become independent. If you are sure it’s ready to fledge put the bird in a garden shed with a window or door open and leave it alone make sure there is plenty of food outside on say a bird table and allow it to fly off on its own. If you are not happy with doing this take it to a local wildlife rescue centre and allow them to release it for you

[Alicat58]

Thank you for your advice which sounds like the most sensible thing to do. I will pass it onto my friend.

[mushroom25]

maybe just worth mentioning that as a species, blackbirds don't fly that well (they undertake a "controlled flutter", i've heard it described as), so a perceived inability is just a characteristic of the youngsters. :-)