06/16/2026
Grumpy face, a li’l scruffy, standing or hopping and fully feathered? Yup, that’s a fledgling. Unless they’re injured or in danger, you can usually let them be.
A fledgling is a bird who’s just left the nest. They don’t fly much at first, but this is normal. If they can stand or hop and are covered in feathers, they’re likely fine. Their parents are usually nearby foraging for food to feed them. If you’re not sure, wait and watch from a distance to see if the parents show up.
If a fledgling is in a road or other dangerous spot, it’s OK to move them to a safer place nearby but only a few feet away! A fledgling is still dependent on their parents, and the parents must be able to find them.
Every summer, we admit many dozens of healthy fledglings who were rescued by mistake. Their rescuers certainly meant well, but the consequences for that bird (not being raised for their parents) and for us (many more birds in care unnecessarily) are steep. Whenever possible, we ask the rescuers to return them where they found them and wait to see if the parents return.
**Note: Pigeons are the exception. Pigeons stay in the nest a long 4 weeks and look almost like adults when they fledge. Usually if a pigeon looks too young to be out of the nest (short wings, short tail, fuzzy head), they are.**
If you’re not sure, send us a photo or contact your local wildlife rehabber.
Your donations feed a lot of babies and fledglings this time of year! Please consider helping: 🔗 bit.ly/wbfdonate
