Expert: Roger Lederer - 6/1/2009

Question
The robin nest located in a rhododendron bush in our back yard was disturbed early yesterday evening. All 4 young ones (about 2 weeks old-they've had their eyes open over a week) jumped out of their nest. My husband was able to place 2 of them back in the nest. They jumped out immediately. Both adult robins were quickly hovering around and did not quiet until we returned inside our home. This morning at daybreak we were able to give several worms to one of birds but this one quickly jumped out of the box. It has been about an hour and we have located 3 out of the 4 in our back patio with the 2 adult robins constantly guarding them. My husband and I have sadly backed off resigning ourselves to cat/blue jay patrol. The parents are communicating with their young ones-it seems like they are trying to get them to fly. They've been able to have them scoot, flutter to one spot. I've read that the parents will continue to feed the young  after they come out of the nest but haven't actually seen this. Is there anything else we can do?

Answer
Best thing to do is leave things alone, except for staying on cat and Blue Jay patrol. Do not put the young back into the nest or in a box. Young songbirds leave the nest before they can fly and are fed on the ground until they can fly. This is perfectly normal. Let nature take its course. Thanks for your concern.