Handle baby birds with care
ANYONE finding a baby bird is advised by the RSPCA to immediately take it to the Wacol animal shelter or a vet.
If the young bird has no feathers or if it has only fluffy down, then it is a nestling, and needs help soon as it cannot keep itself warm.
Wildlife veterinarian Bonny Cumming said if birds weren't fed the correct food and became dehydrated, they could die very quickly.
"People think they're doing the right thing by 'rescuing' chicks that are healthy and being looked after by their parents," Dr Cumming said.
"They mean well but it often ends up very badly for the chicks."
To try to reunite the baby bird with its parents, place the bird on a low branch in a bush and watch to see if the parents come to feed it.
If this has not happened within one hour, then the bird needs veterinary care.
Phone 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) for advice.
