Baby mockingbird: what do I do?

Question

My idiot brother found it on the ground (it has some feathers) and kept it a secret all day until I saw him with it about 30 minutes ago. I told him to take it back but he won't because he said he found it about 1/2 mile away and it's dark. Should we take it back tomorrow? Will the mother still be there? What should I do now like to feed it?

Answer 1

Definitely take this bird back in the morning.  Birds sleep at night anyway so keep it in a quiet dark place.  It parents are most likely in the spot your brother found it looking for their baby.  Bring it back in the morning to the same spot your brother found it and place it up in a scrub or tree so it can be relatively safe  from predators such as cats.  It's parents are most likely in the area and will continue to care for and feed him.  Remember the parents will not come to feed if they see you close to their baby as you would be considered predators.  Do not worry about your scent being on the baby bird, birds cannot smell well and will not abandon a baby due to it being touched by a human.  Just get the bird back to it's parents as soon as possible and tell your brother not to ever take a wild  bird out of nature.  It is actually against the law for him to have this  bird in his possession, he could be fined or jailed for it.  Let him know it is a crime.