Just a couple of weeks ago all our migratory birds have left us to hurry back up north to get on territory and find suitable mates so that the annual process of raising new families can begin. This is the time of year when many of our Grand Bahama birds raise their families also.

There is a certain routine to this, however birders never tire to observe and marvel at this miracle of nature. First comes the courtship, then nest construction, laying of eggs, incubation, hatching of the little ones and raising of the nestlings.

The last phase of this process takes place when the little bird becomes a fledgling which means it feels grown up and is anxious to leave home and try its wings – in this case leave the nest and fall onto dangerous ground! The little creature realizes that leaving the nest was easy but getting back up is practically impossible. The short stubby wings are just not developed enough to carry the plump well-fed body back into the air and it will take a few more days before furious flapping of wings will carry the youngster into the safety of a tree!

But, not to worry, mom and dad are close by and will continue their feeding routine, coaxing it to hop up from perilous ground onto bush or tree branches away from cats, dogs and other predators. Parents will defend their offspring to the extreme of swooping down on people or banding together with bird parents of other species to mob and chase a giant Red-tailed Hawk out of the territory.

What should we do if we find a bird on the ground that has fallen out of a nest or left the nest prior to its ability to fly? Very young birds may be returned to their nest by gently placing them back in. Birds will not abandon a baby handled by humans. If the bird is fully developed with all its feathers, just pick it up off the ground and place it onto a branch as high as possible out of reach of cats or dogs. If it is a bit too young to properly hold on to a branch, place it into a hanging planter lined with grass or pine needles. Make sure the planter has holes for drainage in case of rain. Hang the planter into a tree close to where you found the bird and almost certainly within the hour the parents will continue to feed the youngster.

Should the parents not return because they were killed or the baby was taken too far away from the nesting territory by someone, the only way to save the bird is to hand-raise it. This can be done successfully with a neo-natal powdered bird baby formula that is available at a local pet supply store. After a week of almost hourly feedings with this excellent growth formula you might want to have the whole family get out into the yard and begin digging for worms, maggots and other tasty little creatures for you new baby! Once the youngster has learned to pick up little creepy crawlers by itself and is flying around the house you should say your good-byes and release it – this is always the hardest part!  

Not all birds have the comfort and security of a cozy, soft nest when they are born and raised. Species like the Least Tern that live out at sea and only come to our beaches in the summer during the breeding season, simply plunk their eggs into a shallow indentation in the sand, called a scrape. This is usually done above the high water mark. When the little ones hatch they are fully “clothed” in down feathers and will leave their “nest” within an hour, racing behind their parents as fast as their little legs will carry them, begging for food. Although the young Least Terns are not exposed to predators on the nest, they are still vulnerable on the ground. It will take days before they will be able to fly.

Again, how can we help that these threatened shore and sea birds have a chance to successfully raise their families? During the months of June, July and August, we should remain below the high water mark when we walk along the beaches. This prevents us from stepping on eggs that are virtually impossible to see as their shell blends perfectly into the surrounding sand and debris. We should keep our dogs leashed as they may hunt down and kill little downy chicks that are yet unable to fly.

If you are not sure whether you should “rescue” or pick up a baby bird observe from a distance whether the parents return to feed it. If they do, it is best for the youngster to leave it in the care of its parents. If you do not see any adult bird within an hour, pick it up gently and make a mental note of the exact location. Place it in a carton and call Grand Bahama Nature Tours at 373-2485. We will be happy to provide you with instructions on how to raise and care for a baby bird. If you rather not do it yourself you may bring it to us.

Erika Gates – Bird Talk: owner of Kayak Nature Tours (one of the first Eco-Tour businesses in The Bahamas); co-founder of the Ecotourism Association; a published writer; and a Cacique award winner! Her column Bird Talk will enlighten and educate us about birds of The Bahamas, as well as the importance of Ecology. Erika can be reached at gbntours@hotmail.com or (242) 373-2485