The trees are budding, the insects are hatching, and the birds are busy— it’s spring! And it’s the time of year again when we, or people we know, often find baby animals unaccompanied by adults in our yards and neighborhoods. 

People may reach out to you for advice in these situations, or they might have already taken action. While it’s natural to want to help when coming across a seemingly helpless animal, it’s important to understand (and educate others) that most cases, wildlife is better left undisturbed. Well-intentioned efforts can often do more harm than good, especially given the amount of misinformation about what different species actually need when they appear injured, abandoned, or alone. 

Purple Martin Chicks | Penny Briscoe

Unless cared for by a licensed professional, misguided help often results in serious illness or death of the animal. Even in the rare case where a baby wild animal does need assistance from humans, its dietary and medical needs are highly specialized and difficult to meet without professional training. Wild animals can also become “imprinted” onto humans, meaning they may lose the instincts needed to survive in the wild after release. Unfortunately, this is one of the most common consequences of human interference. For these reasons, laws prohibit unlicensed individuals from caring for or possessing wild animals, though many people are still unaware of these regulations. 

One common misconception about lone baby birds and mammals is that they have been abandoned or orphaned, but this is rarely the case. 

If you encounter a wild animal that you think may need help, the best first step is to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. They can assess the situation and advise you on the safest next steps. A list of licensed rehabilitators in Michigan can be found here. 

If you are specifically trying to help a baby bird, please refer to this verified flowchart for what actions to take.

Each spring, baby birds leave the nest and begin learning how to survive on their own. Although they may appear vulnerable, their parents are usually nearby watching over them.

  • Least Bittern Fledgling | Jim Guyton

    If the bird is featherless, is it a nestling. Try to return it to the nest if you can safely do so, then observe from a distance to see if the parents return. If the nest cannot be located or reached, place the bird in a nearby bush or on a tree limb close to where it was found and continue monitoring for parents. If no adults appear, place the baby bird in a secure, ventilated container and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible. Do not attempt to offer first aid, food, or water.

  • If the bird is fully feathered, it is a fledgling and likely doesn’t need your help. It’s simply learning how to be in this world as an adult bird in progress! 

To help protect birds, their young, and other native wildlife safe each spring, please keep cats indoors and prevent dogs from disturbing nests. Some birds nest just a few feet off the ground, while certain shorebirds like Piping Plovers nest directly on the beach. 

At Michigan Audubon, we encourage you to share this information and help educate others about responsible wildlife stewardship so more people understand how to safely and appropriately respond when encountering wild animals. You can also learn more about making Michigan friendly for migrating birds here.

Thank you for caring about wildlife! 

Featured Photo: Hungry Northern Cardinal fledgling by Paul McEwen