skip to main content

Found baby birds on ground :(

15 years ago

I was watering my flowers in the back yard and found 3 small birds on the ground. Unfortunately, I think I stepped on one, one was dead, and one was still breathing. 2 catbirds were making a fuss nearby, so they were probably baby catbirds. They didn't have enough feathers to fly yet.

I put the one in the crotch of a tree and the mom spent a little time flying around it, then disappeared. The baby died shortly after that.

I wonder what happened. None of the birds had signs of being attacked. Do squirrels or chipmunks just knock them out of the nest? If there is a nest in that tree, its pretty high up.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

deanie1
15 years ago
It is so disheartening to have baby bird deaths in your yard. I doubt there is a catbird nest high up in that tree. Catbirds nest fairly close to the ground. If you look around again, look for a nest (lots of small sticks and other stuff) near where the babies were, but low-ish; they like low, small trees too. I
bandjzmom
15 years ago
Awww...too bad. So many things can happen. I have baby birds and nests blow out of my Giant Arborvitae often.
Related Discussions
Neat experience with a baby bird
Q
Comments (3)
Birds are excellent parents. I am sure they are thankful that you got the baby out of the dangerous situation and on safer turf. I am sure they would have called the baby into the air if they could have, but probably would not have been able to save it from drowning. You done good! Lisa
...See More
3 eggs and a baby bird
Q
Comments (1)
The tree swallows won't leave my box alone. Poor blues! I will be putting up another box next week for the swallows to nest in. :)
...See More
What kind of baby bird is this?
Q
Comments (10)
I'm not sure, but it's a possibility. The bird was found on the outskirts of San Antonio, Texas. When I saw it the bird didn't seem to try to walk like I'd think a baby pheasant would do, but I can check on that with the finder. Don't pheasants leave the nest to run after the mother at hatching time?
...See More
dead baby birds about 15 ft from birdhouse
Q
Comments (2)
Catherinet is right -- I bet it's house sparrows. They will not only kill baby birds, they will trap adults (bluebirds and tree swallows) in a bird house and kill them before they make a nest. The house sparrow will then build their own nest on top of the dead body. Believe me, I've had it happen in my own yard. When we moved to the country we put up too many bird houses and the sparrows moved in. They are NOT protected, so do your best to kill the adults and eliminate their eggs because they will destroy your songbird population. You can do a google search to learn how to identify their nests and eggs so you can eliminate them. House wrens will fly into a birdhouse that has bluebird or tree sparrow eggs laid and will then use it's beak to pierce the eggs to destroy them. House wrens are a protected species, so you can't kill them but their nests are easy to identify because they fill bird houses with tiny sticks. Clean them out over and over and do your best to discourage them because they, too, will destroy your bluebird and tree sparrow populations.
...See More
catherinet
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks deanie and bandjzmom.
What's really sad is when you see the parents flying around, seeming to not understand what happened. Such is life.........

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES You Won't Believe What These Homeowners Found in Their Walls

By Mitchell Parker

From the banal to the downright bizarre, these uncovered artifacts may get you wondering what may be hidden in your own home

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Healthy Home Habitats for Northern Flickers

By Habitat Network

These colorful woodpeckers found across the U.S. and Canada love berries, seeds and ants and often nest in deep burrows in trees

GROUND COVERS Ground Force: 10 Top Ground Covers for Your Garden

By Carol Bucknell Garden Design

Protect your soil from weeds and drought this summer with a living mulch of ground covers

FRONT YARD IDEAS 12 Surprising Features Found in Front Yards

By Becky Harris

Fire, water, edibles and wildlife habitats are just a few of the elements you can consider adding to your entryway landscape

REMODELING GUIDES One Guy Found a $175,000 Comic in His Wall. What Has Your Home Hidden?

By Mitchell Parker

Have you found a treasure, large or small, when remodeling your house? We want to see it!

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Northern Cardinals in the Snow, and Other Red Birds

By Habitat Network

Brilliant crimson feathers make these friends stand out in a crowd

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Bring on the Birds: Natural Habitat Ideas for Gardens of All Sizes

Provide nesting, watering and perching spots inspired by the Costa Rican jungle and watch the birds flock on over

GARDENING FOR BIRDS What to Know About Birds Nesting in Your Yard

By Mitchell Parker

Learn how to observe, record data and help ornithologists with NestWatch’s citizen science project understand bird trends

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Create a Home for American Kestrels

By Habitat Network

These copper-colored birds of prey can be found throughout North and South America and often find habitats near human activity

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES A Quick-Start Guide to Bird-Watching for Fun and Learning

By Alison Hodgson

Set out some seed and grab your field guide. Bird-watching is an easy, entertaining and educational activity for the whole family

Sponsored

Custom Home Works

10 Reviews

Franklin County's Award-Winning Design, Build and Remodeling Expert

More Discussions

ID OWL IN S.E. MICHIGAN z5b

0