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Birding/Abandoned baby cardinal?

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Expert: - 5/20/2007


Question
A couple cardinals recently built a nest in a rhododendron next to our house. I watched them defend it mightily against a chipmunk a few days ago. This morning, we heard -- and saw -- a baby bird chirping. Unfortunately, we never saw the mother bird return. Do cardinals ever abandon their young? If they do, is there anything we can do to help the baby bird survive?

Answer
Yes, birds will sometimes abandon their young. If this is the case, get the baby bird to a wildlife rehabilitation center quickly. Failing that, go to www.ornithology.com/rehab.html for information on taking care of baby birds. Roger Lederer at Ornithology.com

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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

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