Frequently asked questions

The babies of most garden birds leave the nest just before they can fly. They are almost fully feathered and will try to hide in undergrowth where they are fed by their parents. Within a day of leaving the nest they can usually fly enough to escape predators and keep up with their parents, who will continue to feed them.

As this is usually the case, the advice is to leave these birds well alone. Only move them, or encourage them to move, a short distance to safety if they are in immediate danger.

Nestlings are baby birds that only have a limited number of feathers. They are different from fledglings in that they are totally dependent on the security of the nest and will not fare at all well if left. If a nestling is found, contain it in a well ventilated cardboard box, then take the bird directly to a local vet or contact the RSPCA 24-hour cruelty and advice line 0300 1234 999. Never try to return these birds to their nests as this may disturb the other babies and may also be illegal. Never try to rear baby birds yourself, as they need specialist care if they are to survive.

If the bird is injured, then please refer to the FAQ on injured birds. Further information on nesting birds is provided in our information sheet Living with nesting birds (PDF 142KB) which can be downloaded from the RSPCA website.

Caution:- Handling of any animal either domestic, wild, dead or alive may be potentially hazardous. Obvious dangers include bites, scratches and general hygiene issues. Common sense should be applied in all instances and if unsure seek additional advice or assistance. Personal hygiene should be taken into consideration after handling any animal whether it is domestic, wild, dead or alive. 

For more information, visit our page on orphaned wild animals.