Expert: Roger Lederer - 5/17/2007

Question
QUESTION: Yesterday at lunch I discover a robin's nest had fallen out of a tree and the three nestlings were scattered on the ground.  I put the nestlings back in the nest but I had to move the nest because I have a dog.  I placed the nest under the same tree (which is protected by chicken wire).  I noticed the mother and father continued to feed them the duration of the afternoon/evening.  However, when I checked in the morning, they appeared to be dead.  When mom/pop came to feed them, none of their little heads popped up and chirped.  Then mom/pop proceeded to sit on them.  Is she trying to warm them up?  Would she bother sitting on them if they were dead?  I always have robin's nest in my yard so, for future reference, what should I have done?  Thanks much!

ANSWER: The paresnts might sit on the chicks for a short time even if they are dead. But they might not have been dead, just cold. You did the right thing since the parents came back to feed them. But the fall from the tree and, depending on how old they are, they might have been chilled, might have had a fatal outcome. Older chicks, over five days, would have a better chance than younger ones. Roger Lederer at Ornithology.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your response.  The nestlings were only a day or two old, they were still very pink with little to no feathers of any kind.  Here's a follow up; I just went home for lunch and the youngest had died and was pushed out of the nest.  The two older ones are not in very good shape and appear to be clinging to life.  Is there anything I can do for them now?  I feel terrible but I did the best I could.  They surely would've died had I left them on the ground.  Should I have brought them in the house overnight?  Thanks again!

Answer
You did the right thing. It would not have helped to bring them into the house unless you are very experienced in raising baby birds. It is VERY difficult to do it successfully. Leave it totally up to the parents. This is nature and the less we interfere (usually) the better. Roger Lederer