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How to renest baby songbirds:
Finding baby birds out of their nest can feel like an emergency, but often the parents are nearby and ready to resume care. “Re-nesting“ baby birds gives them the best possible chance of survival. Before you step in, evaluate the situation and follow these steps.
First: check for injuries
First: check for injuries
Never attempt to renest an injured bird. Examine the bird visually before touching it. If you notice any of the following signs, do not renest. Instead, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately:
Visible blood, cuts, or puncture wounds;
A wing drooping unnaturally or a leg that appears broken;
The bird feels cold to the touch, is gasping, or is covered in insects;
Or, the bird was caught by a cat or dog. Even without visible wounds, their saliva carries deadly bacteria.
Not all birds on the ground need help
Not all birds on the ground need help
Renest nestlings.
Nestlings are very young, featherless, downy, or have pinfeathers (quills like plastic tubes).
Leave fledglings on the ground.
Fledglings are fully feathered with short tails. They can spend 2 - 5 days on the ground while parents feed them.
How to Renest
How to Renest
If the original nest is intact and safe to reach, simply place the nestlings back inside. If the nest was damaged or is inaccessible, you can build a replacement nest.
Get creative, build a nest or a nest container
Get creative, build a nest or a nest container
Use a plastic margarine tub, berry basket, a small plastic flower pot ... or even a baseball hat. Punch small drainage holes in the bottom (water must drain out so the chicks don't drown). Line the inside with the original nest, paper towels, or dry grass. Avoid cotton balls, string, or yarn, which can tangle around legs and toes.
Secure the nest
Secure the nest
Attach the DIY nest securely to the tree trunk or a heavy branch near where the bird was found. Use zip ties, wire, or strong twine. Ensure it is placed in the shade and out of reach of roaming cats and dogs (at least 5 feet off the ground).
Place the nestlings inside the nest and watch for the parents
Place the nestlings inside the nest and watch for the parents
Give the nest as much distance as you can because parent birds may not return if you are too close. The observation window is about 2-3 hours. If a parent bird visits the nest to feed the chicks (even for a split second), the renesting was successful!
If the parents do not return within 2–3 hours, or if night falls without a sighting, collect the baby birds in a warm, dark, ventilated box and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
Pointers & tips
Pointers & tips
Nestlings need shade. Direct sunlight can fatally overheat them.
Drainage is key. Punch holes in the bottom of plastic containers.
Human scent will not deter parent birds from returning.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling all birds, feathers, and nest materials.
Do not feed baby birds (food or liquid).
And our eternal PSA: always keep domestic pets indoors: Cats and dogs are the #1 threat to birds. Walk dogs on a leash while birds are being renested.
Harmony Wildlife can help baby owls, eyases (hawks and falcons), and baby mourning doves. We can also care for injured adult songbirds.
We do not have the necessary staffing resources to care for baby songbirds. If you have a baby songbird, please call or text Ziggy’s Tree at (931) 841-9781 and Walden’s Puddle at (615) 559-9453. Leave a message. They will call you back as soon as they can.
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