What To Do If You Find Baby Birds In Utah

As spring sunshine returns to Utah, so does a familiar seasonal scene: baby birds making their unexpected debuts on lawns, sidewalks and under trees. While it may tug at the heartstrings to see a tiny bird chirping helplessly on the ground, wildlife officials say the best course of action is often to do less, not more.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources reminds residents that it is common to encounter young birds this time of year. Many species hatch in the spring and may leave the nest before they are fully capable of flight. Others may be knocked loose during seasonal storms.

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“Baby birds usually chirp and call from the nest, waiting for their parents to bring food to them — and sometimes they get excited or agitated, which results in them falling from their perch,” said Jason Jones, migratory game bird coordinator, in a press release.

Human Scent Won't Alienate Parents

The response depends largely on the bird’s stage of development. Featherless birds, known as nestlings, should be returned to their nest if possible. If the nest cannot be located, placing the bird on a nearby branch, safely out of reach of pets, is the next best option. Contrary to popular belief, human scent will not cause parent birds to abandon their young.

If the bird has feathers and is hopping around, it is likely a fledgling. These young birds are in a normal transition phase, learning to fly over a period of a few days. Unless they are in immediate danger, they should be left alone, as their parents are typically nearby and continuing to feed them.

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Officials strongly caution against feeding baby birds. “While robins and some bird species can safely eat worms, others can’t,” Jones said. “So don’t try to feed baby birds or other wildlife that you encounter. You may think you are ‘helping’ them, but it usually does more harm than good.”

Residents should also avoid disturbing active nests. It is illegal to move or remove nests that contain eggs or young birds. Preventative measures to keep birds from nesting on buildings must be taken before the nesting season begins.

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Similar guidance applies to ducklings. Unless they are trapped in a hazardous location, they should not be handled or relocated.

While concerns about avian flu persist, songbirds are generally at low risk. However, residents are encouraged to regularly clean bird feeders and report clusters of dead birds to wildlife officials.