I have a nest, the mother has removed one of the babies. Should we try to save,not healthly like other two?

Question

Two were born on Saturday and the third was on Sunday. This is the one the mother just took out (Monday) of the nest. It is still alive as of right now.

Answer 1

Hi,

I would recommend that you don't place the chick back in the nest as there is normally a reason why the parents sling the chicks out and this is usually because they sick so just leave it.

My second piece of advice is that what ever happens just let nature take its course, i know its hard to see the parents killing a chick but there is a good reason why they have done it.

Answer 2

No.

I expect many thumbs-down from several Y!A, because this sounds cruel, but this is the truth.

Parents will eliminate any young that they see is ill, injured, or they think cannot survive in the wild.  Darwin's theorem is appropriate in this situation: "Survival of the Fittest."  Parents will dispatch any chicks that they think will have trouble surviving in the end, so they do that chick a favor so they don't have to struggle through life.

Also, it's illegal for you to care for any migratory birds.  Doing this can have a consequence of a 500$ fine and/or 6 months in federal prison, to you or your parents (whoever is the owner of the household)

Best,

Phoenix

Answer 3

I know it's a hard thing to see.  We have a couple pairs of birds that come back to their nests every year at our house.  I look forward to their arrival and can even look down from a window into one of the nests to see the babies.  I have seen this happen and, of course, I want to help.  But no.  You should let nature take care of itself.  Trust that the mother's instincts are for the best.

Answer 4

She probably removed it because it is not healthy.  If you want to save it the first step would be to take it to a veterinarian and find out about places where it can be raised.  It should not be raised like a pet.  It is illegal to do so.   It should be raised so that it can survive in the wild, so only trained people should care for the bird.  In the end, you may have to accept that this is one of the harsh realities of the animal kingdom.