Wildlife Experts: The Best Way to Help Baby Birds in Arizona? Don’t!

Spring and early summer in Arizona bring a burst of life to the desert. It's common to see birds building nests, hatching their eggs, and preparing their young to survive in the wild. However, this is a time when young birds are the most vulnerable.

Well-meaning humans can do more harm than good. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, it's essential to leave wild animals alone and let nature take its course.

Baby birds may look like they've been abandoned by their parents, but they're usually under the watchful eye of their mothers.

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The Tucson Wildlife Center is Southern Arizona's only state-of-the-art wildlife rehabilitation center, and they're experts in helping wildlife. They have advice on what to do if you find a young bird you think needs help.

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Humans should always wait before helping any form of wildlife. Things are not always as they seem. According to the Tucson Wildlife Center, humans can cause stress and disrupt an animal's habitat and natural behavior. A wait-and-see approach is typically the best way to help.

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How to Help Arizona's Baby Birds

Believe it or not, nests are not always the safest places for baby birds. When a baby has most of its feathers and begins using its wings, it will take steps to leave the nest. While this makes young birds vulnerable, it's an important part of their development.

To the untrained human eye, it may look like the fledgling has fallen from the nest. As long as the bird isn't visibly injured, there's a good chance nature is working the way it should.

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It can be distressing to see a young bird on the ground, but before you try to help, the Wildlife Center advises us to stop and observe the following:

1. Does the bird have most of its feathers?
2. Is the bird fluttering and trying to fly?

Watch to see if an adult bird is taking care of it. If you wait long enough, you'll likely note the parents checking in.

If the bird is out of the nest and seems very young, it might be in distress, but don't jump in just yet. Here's what you can do next:

1. If the baby doesn't have many feathers or has fluff, it might not be ready to leave the nest.
2. Watch to see if the baby can walk. If it can't, it might need help.
3. Are its eyes open? If not, you can give it a hand.

You can carefully try to renest the baby bird. The Tucson Wildlife Center advises you to gently return the baby bird to the nest, then observe from a distance. It should be okay if you see the parents returning to care for it within the hour.

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Click this link for more information on what to do if you find a baby bird. Sometimes, the best way to help wildlife is a hands-off approach. Together, we can help Arizona's wildlife thrive and survive.

If you find a bird that seems to be injured, or if you need advice, visit the Tucson Wildlife Center website or call (520) 290-9453 .

Sources: US Fish & Wildlife Service | USDA Forest Service | AZ Central | Animals Around the Globe | Tucson Wildlife Center