he nest. Contrary to popular belief, songbirds do not have a well-developed sense of smell and will not abandon their young if you touch them. If you find eggs but can not find the nest, leave them alone – it is illegal to possess wild bird eggs. Generally, the parents will re-nest.
If a partially or completely un-feathered hatchling bird is found out of the nest, put it back in the nest. If the nest is too high or is not visible, construct an artificial nest by wiring a grocery store berry basket or other open-top container to the trunk of the same tree. Line the basket with dry grass clippings to form a cup. Place the chick in the nest and cover it with a couple of sheets of Kleenex. If you find a completely feathered young bird, you can assume that it has left the nest on its own and is still under parental care. You might wish to place the young bird on the top of a shrub away from predators.
Mammals however are a different story. Most young mammals that are found alone, including deer, rabbit, squirrel and raccoon are only hiding or have wandered away from the parents, which are nearby searching for food. If you touch the young mammal, your scent may either frighten the parent away or make it easier for predators to find the animal. The best thing to do is simply leave it alone.
Be aware that wildlife species are not always successful each year in raising young and though we believe we have an obligation to try and save young wildlife, we are limited in our ability and knowledge to raise them so that they are healthy enough to reproduce the following year. Please keep in mind that possessing some native animals and all native birds without a permit is illegal and subject to fine.
If you need to contact a wildlife rehabilitator please click here or contact the
game warden in your area
Written by Melynda Hickman. Melynda is a wildlife diversity biologist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
The WILDLIFE DIVERSITY PROGRAM monitors and manages the state's wildlife and fish species that are not hunted or fished.