AboutJulia Booth Expertise I can answer questions about bird identification (by sight or sound), behavior, distribution, population, conservation, mating, nesting, fledging and feeding. I do have some practical knowledge about foreign species, but identification skills are limited in that arena.
Experience I have ten years birding experience in Southern California. I am well versed in all the species living in the Western US. Many hours spent birding. I have been frequently told I should lend my knowledge to good use, and have encountered few bird related questions that I cannot answer.
Organizations Audubon Society
Education/Credentials My education is in art and photography -but I have a substantial portfolio of nature related work.
Expert: Julia Booth Date: 7/3/2008 Subject: Found a nest of baby birds
Question Hello Juilia,
I was cutting down a bayberry bush in my back yard tonight. After removing the branches that I had cut, I noticed 6 baby birds on the ground with their nest. Boy did I feel terrible. I had gardening gloves on and carefully picked up each one and returned them to the next. I placed the nest in a spot in the bush. I didn't get to cut the rest down. I did hear the adult birds in a nearby tree scolding. I just checked on them and they are still there and alive. Four of them are very small and one is larger. What I would like to know, will the parents return to the nest even though I had to place it in the same bush, but in a different spot and will they survive the night? I am an adult in my forties, so have some knowledge of animals, actually, I can't stand to see any animal hurting. What should I look for as to whether the parents will or have returned. I know I won't be getting much sleep tonight know those poor babies are out there and it was because of me that they are in the prediciment they are in. They are a common sparrow. The inside of their beaks are an orangish color. They have a downing fluff and look like they just hatched recently. Help.
Debbie
Answer I'd put them back as close to the original site as possible. I see no reason why the parents would not return.
The thing about birds abandoning nests touched by humans is an urban legend.
The larger baby is probably a cowbird implant.
If you can take a picture of the babies and send it to me for ID, that would be fine too.
