Wild Nest Bird Rehab
HATCHLINGS or NESTLINGS
NO.
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I can't find or reach the nest,
or the nest has been damaged.
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The best thing for the babies is to be cared for by the parents.
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Please follow these steps to make a replacement nest using items found around your home.
making a replacement nest
BASE CONTAINER:
Find a small basket or container to use as the nest. The container could be plastic, Tupperware, plastic berry basket, etc.
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Poke draining holes in the bottom of the container
CONTAINER SIZE:
Ideally the container should be small enough to keep the babies huddled together.
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*the three rocks show size references for baby birds, and how they "huddle"*
NESTING MATERIAL:
Add some soft, dry nesting material to the container.
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(Dried leaves, pine needles, or paper towels)
ATTACHMENT:
Using items around the house,
devise a way to attach the nest to a tree.
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This method shows attachment using zip ties and bungee cord. The nest needs to be attached securely enough to the tree to withstand weather, wind, parent visits and growing babies.
Attach your nest to a tree, preferably the tree the nest came from or as close as possible to that tree.
Place the nest at as far off the ground as you can as soon as possible. Make sure the nest has protection from direct sunlight and rain
1.) Put the babies in the replacement nest.
2.) Observe from a distance for 1 hour.
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Some bird parents try not to be seen to protect the location of their nest. One way to tell if the parents are visiting is to look for fresh poop in or on the edges of the nest.
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Are you seeing parents visiting OR fresh poop in the nest?