What do i do with a fledging baby mockingbird?

Question

i was away at camp but my dad said he saw it on thursday the nest he found on the ground to so he put it in the nest i found it today wich is sunday and it rained the baby bird has feathers and i saw its parents flying around but the parents were not there when it started raining i put the baby bird in a box with a towel so it didnt freeze and i gave him some bird seed and he ate it what should i do????

Answer 1

If the bird is fully feathered, it is most likely a fledgling and has left the nest on it's own and it's parents are caring for it. It is normal for birds to leave the nest before they can fly.   You need to replace it where you found it..preferably in a scrub or tree so it is relatively safe from predators, and the parents should come back to feed it. If you are too close to it..the parents will not come as you would be considered a predator.  If it is unfeathered...then look for a nest and if you can find it...replace it into the nest.  Do not worry about your scent being on the chick..birds have a very poorly developed sense of smell and will NOT reject a baby that has been touched.  If you cannot find a nest, get the bird to a local wildlife rehab for it's best chance of survival.  Also, keep in mind, it is illegal for you to try and raise this bird on your own.  Look for a rehab here:

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contactA...