Birding/4 baby robins

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/19/2008


Question
Yesterday I accidentally scared 4 baby robins from their nest on my porch.  The 1/2 flew, 1/2 hopped.  I rounded them up and tried to put back in nest, but they don't fit anymore.  The plant w/nest I put in a box, but a couple fell into box, parents can't get to them.  I know I need to remove the box from around the nest.  Should I gather worms first to help feed them? I feel awful for disturbing this little family.  The parents are still around.

Answer
Do not do anymore. Let the babies out and then leave everything alone. The babies are ready to leave the nest, that's why they left. They will spend time on the ground and the parents will feed them until they can fly. Do not disturb them or try to feed them. Thanks for your concern, but nature knows best here.

Birding

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.