Baby wild birds usually best left to fend for themselves

Since the beginning of spring the charity have been inundated with fledgling ducks, doves, and finches that have needed hand-rearing.

‘As a general rule, it is best to leave baby birds alone,’ said animal care supervisor Yvonne Chauvel.

‘A baby bird has a greater chance of survival in the wild than being hand-reared, as they learn how to forage for food and fend for themselves from their parents.’

Most birds take an average of two weeks to learn to fly, and even on the ground are probably under the watchful eye of a parent.

‘Fledglings are almost fully feathered and will try to hide in undergrowth,’ she said.

‘Parent birds are not usually far away and are probably collecting food, but will not return until you have gone.

‘Within a day of leaving the nest, fledglings can usually fly enough to keep up with their parents and escape predators.’

The GSPCA said that if islanders spot a lone baby bird on the ground they should monitor it from a place where they can not be seen or heard, so as not to discourage the return of the parents.

‘Do this for at least two hours. You will almost certainly find that the parents have taken care of their youngster within this time,’ said Mrs Chauvel.

‘Please remember to only move them, or encourage them to move, a short distance to safety if they are in immediate danger.’

If, after monitoring, islanders think a fledgling is genuinely orphaned or sick, or if the bird is a ‘nestling’ and has only a small number of feathers, they should call the GSPCA on 01481 257261 or bring the bird to the Animal Shelter.

The GSPCA had more than 2,500 injured and sick wild birds through their doors last year.

Manager Steve Byrne said they were very lucky to have intensive care units at the shelter to help raise these very fragile young,

‘But it is never easy with the number of feeds and the fact that many arrive injured or very cold,’ he said.

‘Due to the numbers of baby birds, our intensive care units are starting to fill and we are looking at building a new hospital for all wildlife.’

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