This is Bird Note.

Fish got to swim, birds got to fly.

But before they do, many baby birds spend time on or near the ground.

Young robins and flickers, in particular, spend a few days at ground level after they leave

the nest and before they learn to fly.

And although it's sometimes dangerous for the birds, it's natural.

So if you see a baby bird on the ground and your first thought is to rescue it, the better

thing to do is let it be.

Make sure that there are no cats nearby.

Then watch from a distance, maybe even from inside, to see if an adult comes down to

feed the baby.

Unless the bird is injured, are you know for certain that it's been abandoned?

You should leave it alone.

Transporting a baby away from its nest area will guarantee an interruption of its natural

life.

To learn more about what to do when you find sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife, visit

our website, birdnote.org.

For Bird Note, I'm Michael Stein.