The president of FAWNA NSW is urging people to think before they pick up baby birds off the ground.
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Meredith Ryan said many people call the volunteer wildlife rescue and care group, with concerns about a baby bird they have found on the ground.
“However in the bird world all may not be quite what it seems,” she said.
“Often these fledgling birds are just a day or two away from flight and they are being fed by their parents and family group.”
Meredith advises people to put in practice a ‘watch and wait’ approach.
“Adult birds usually remain near their offspring to try to continue feeding the young, and of course they can do a much better job of rearing their chicks than any human can.
Meredith said if the baby is fully feathered it might be best to provide a temporary replacement nest.
“Anything to get the baby off the ground, to be out of reach of cats and other predators,” she said.
“A small ice-cream container or a plant pot with a stick in it will suffice, nailed or hung as high as possible in a tree.”
“If the baby has no feathers the priority is to keep it warm and use a container lined with old towel or cotton sheet.
Meredith said if after about four hours the parent birds are not flying down to feed the chic, people should take it indoors.
The bird should be kept in a dark, dry and secure environment. People should then contact FAWNA on 6581 4141.
It is important for people to resist the temptation to feed the chick.
“The wrong food is worse than no food at all and wildlife regulations prohibit the keeping of native fauna unless you are a member of your local licensed wildlife rescue group,” Meredith said.
“Sugar, bread, honey, milk and weet-bix are all no-nos.”
A FAWNA NSW induction training course is on Saturday, October 6 at the Johns River Hall from 9am until 4.30pm.
The course covers the rescue and immediate care of injured and orphaned wildlife. It also includes a session on the basic care of birds.
To book or for more information please visit www.fawna.org.au