Beyond Your Backyard 🐥 "Grumpy Faced Fledgling Season is Here"

By Kimberly J. Epp

When dealing with wildlife there are two important things to remember.

The first is the saying from the Canadian Wildlife Service, "If you care, leave them there."

The second is one that I added, "When in doubt, give a rehabber a shout."

Evening grosbeak fledgling getting a meal from its parent (photo by John C Corden)

Keep these sayings in mind if you see a baby bird jumping on your lawn, not able to fly. The birds have been nesting in more public areas due to the lack of people, and they need their space. Keep your children and pets away from active birds nests and fledglings.

Great Horned Owl fledgling waiting patiently for its parents to feed it (photo at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park - taken by Lisa Brianna)

So, what is a fledgling?

It is a baby bird that has hopped out of the nest, has recently fledged, but still requires feeding and parental care. As the young bird learns to fly, you may think there is something wrong with it - however unless it is acting erratically, just leave it alone.

The parents still feed the youngster for several days as it learns to fly. Fledglings are fully feathered, a little fluffy, and have a grumpy looking face.

This is a dangerous time, as the fledgling can be easy prey for predators. This is why it is so important to keep your cats inside. Even when fully fed, cats still have imprinted instincts to hunt and kill. For their safety, and the safety of the fledgling, do not let them run free.

Western kingbird with nestlings on the verge of fledging (photo by Krista Routledge)

Cats kill billions of songbirds each year, and it is estimated that cats kill 4 million songbirds a day in the United States alone.

In fact, keep your own space from the youngster(s) as well. Even if you must mow your lawn, it can always wait a few days. Don't be responsible for displacing a family. Some parents will act aggressively in protecting their young, so if an adult warns you, then swoops down at you, do your best to heed that warning and just give them the space they need. Don't add to their stress.

Mourning Dove fledgling. This babe was hidden in the grass so well that the photographer nearly stepped on him. (photo by Denea MacNiven)

In fact, walk carefully on your lawn to ensure you do not accidentally step on a fledgling.

So, what are some common urban fledglings you may run across?

The chart below shows you some of the common ones, although we don't have nesting cardinals here.

Some of the common “grumpy faces” you might run into.

The photos are also from common urban fledglings found here in Saskatchewan.

Bald Eagle fledgling practicing spreading its wings (photo by Jennifer Hedley)

Some of the more common ones here in Moose Jaw include European Starlings, Grackles, House Sparrows, American Robins, American Crows, Pigeons, Black-billed Magpies, Black-capped Chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos and various other swallow and sparrow species. There are also various birds of prey that nest in urban areas including owl, hawk and falcon species.

American robin fledgling (photo by John C Corden)

If you come across a fledgling acting erratically or in distress, call the wildlife hotline. Get a box, poke some holes on the top, and place a soft blanket or towel within. Keep the box away from pets or children. Do not give the young bird food and water. A volunteer will either pick the young bird up, or you can arrange to deliver it yourself to the rehabber.

Tiny Black-capped Chickadee fledgling. This poor little “grumpy face” was rescued properly when found acting oddly in the middle of a rainy road. He was found to have neurological issues and sadly did not make it. (photo by Kimberly Epp)

A couple of years ago, a friend's son delivered me a young bird, just days from fledging. It was after the 42 degree day we had. Young animals do not yet know how to cool themselves, so the whole brood had fallen out of the nest onto the ground. They were native Tree Sparrows, and only one had survived. So the man brought the survivor to me.

This is the example of what NOT to do. The man delivered the baby bird to me in a plastic cup. He brought the whole family with him. The two young kids were yelling and screaming, and so was the girlfriend. The young toddler kept staring at the baby in the cup. It was terribly stressful. Once they arrived, I asked them to please stay quiet and explained why. I thanked him for bringing the young bird.

Dark-eyed Junco fledgling getting fed by its parent. Fledglings need to learn how to eat on their own and that takes practice. They are used to just keeping their mouth open and food being brought to them. (photo by John C Corden)

The nestling was picked up by Melanie Blager of "Wild and Cared Free Wildlife Rehabilitation". She had a nest on her property with the same species. She attempted to place the nestling in the nest, however it kept jumping out. It sadly didn't survive, and the stress it went through with the severe heat, and then the screaming family, likely never helped.

Speaking of extreme heat, that's why it is important to put out bird baths. Change the water daily, and twice daily (if possible) during a heatwave. A dish on the ground is great for the fledglings. Rocks to perch on are also helpful to both the birds and the bees. Small mammals can also access dishes on the ground.

Pigeon fledgling being cared for at Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation (photo by Kimberly J. Epp)

Wildlife rescues are currently inundated with nestling and fledgelings. They can use your help. Consider making a donation. They are working hard, also with fewer volunteers.

Wildife rescues are in need of small knitted bird nests and small glass dishes to hold seeds, meal worms and fruit. Contact them to find out their exact needs.

Grackle patent feeding its young (photo by Kosala Rajapaksha)

Call the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan if you are comcerned about a fledgling or other young or injured animal at (306) 242-7177. They are currently receiving an overwhelming amount of calls, so for free (not so urgent) advice on their website you can also contact them at http://wrsos.org/wildlife-911/.

Local wildlife rescuers 🦆

(1) Wild and Cared Free Wildlife Rehabilitation in Moose Jaw. Contact WRSOS and they will contact a rehabber able to help you. The link to the Wild and Cared Free Facebook page is, https://www.facebook.com/WACFWildlifeRehabilitationInc/

(2) Salthaven West in Regina - call them at (639) 999-4957. The link to their Facebook page is, https://www.facebook.com/SalthavenWest/

The motto is to please leave the young birds be, give them space, and only render help when necessary.

Raven parent and fledgling (photo by John C Corden)

Just as we must social distance from each other, so must we social distance from the new birds learning to adult. Enjoy the new life out there...but at a distance. 🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦

The author making friends with a cheeky American crow.

Epp is an Environmental Educator and writer. She is also the Past President and Field Trip/Workshop Director of the Moose Jaw Nature Society. She may be reached at kepp@shaw.ca or via the MJNS Facebook page