October 8th, 2025Hepburn Wildlife Shelter
The arrival of spring in Victoria is identified by the flowering of the many species of wattles and the sound of baby birds crying out to be fed.
There are three distinct stages of growth for baby birds: the nestling, which is the very young bird that has not been out of the shell for long and is too young to leave the nest; the branchling, which is a bird that may leave the nest to explore nearby branches but is unable to fly; and the fledgling, which is the bird that has left the nest and is learning to forage and fly.
In all three stages the baby bird is still dependent on its parents for food and protection. Each species of bird has different requirements and birds will often stay with their parents for up to a year learning hunting and survival skills.
Just because a bird can fly doesn’t mean it is an independent animal – we have all seen the baby magpies calling out for food as they fly from place to place.
It is not normal for baby birds to be running around on the ground (except for ducks). So, if you find a baby bird on the ground the chances are that something has happened and if it has fallen out of a tree it may have damage or bruising that is not apparent and may be life threatening if not addressed. We may think we are doing the right thing by putting a baby bird in a temporary nest we have created.
Gayle from the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter tells me that the problem with this is that then the parents must divide their time between two different nest sites and often these chicks will die from exposure or starvation.
The baby magpie at the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter was found by the roadside. In present times unless you are in a rainforest, much of our forests lack a dense shrubby layer. So, when a baby bird falls from the tree they have no way of climbing back up. In times gone by the bird would have been able to access the tree via the tall shrubby layer of plants in the forest.
Gayle stresses the importance of not feeding baby birds, as people generally will not understand their nutritional requirements. Baby birds have very fast growth rates and can sustain feather damage in 12 hours of not receiving adequate nutrition. For this reason if you find a baby bird on the ground it is best to avoid taking it to a vet because it may not be fed as quickly or as often as it needs. It is best to call a wildlife shelter for advice.
So in this spring season, if you find a baby bird on the ground, call the wildlife shelter for advice.
The Hepburn Wildlife Shelter phone number is 0409 380 327 and the Wildlife Emergency Helpline: is 8400 7300. Pop them in your phone.
Dr Marita McGuirk is a field ecologist and environmental scientist, and a volunteer at the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter. Marita writes monthly columns about the shelter and the animals it cares for. If you would like to donate or volunteer, or just to find out more information, head to www.hepburnwildlifeshelter.org
