Expert: Roger Lederer - 6/2/2005

Question
We had a baby robin fall out of its nest. I read all I could and left the baby alone - and had all the neighborhood kids leave it alone all evening. By the time I got home at 10 PM tonight after errands, it was ice cold and covered with ants, so I brought it in.

I've fed the chick parrot handfeeding formula and warmed the baby. From all photos and articles I've read, it's still a nestling. It's gone from barely breathing to standing and begging for food, and some chirping. Currently, it's quiet - sleeping, I assume, since the articles say they don't feed overnight.

The problem is that I cannot return the bird to the nest, as it's too high to reach, even with a ladder. Have I done the wrong thing? Can I put it back outside tomorrow for its parents to care for? I know that birds don't have any appreciable sense of smell, so having touched it is not an issue.

Any further advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much!

Answer
Baby birds do not fall out of their nest, normally. It jumped and the parents take care of the young bird until it can fly. Although what you have done is fine, it should be left alone outside for its parents to take care of. For more information, see www.ornithology.com/rehab.html. Roger Lederer