At this time of year, the Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife receives many calls from people asking what to do with young birds and mammals that have been found alone, appearing to be orphans. But often, these creatures are actually under the watchful eye of a hidden parent, learning the important lessons of how to fly, how to feed themselves, or otherwise fend for themselves, says Lori Gibson, supervising wildlife biologist at DEM.

Bringing those young animals inside or feeding them often only causes more serious problems, Gibson says. "Songbirds, for instance, must be fed very specific diets, every 20 minutes," she says.

Many calls, Gibson says, are from people who want to rescue these young animals because they are being stalked by cats. "It is true," she said, "that cats can be a problem. Cats kill an immense number of birds and small mammals in the United States each year. But, the best solution is to bring in the cat, not the bird."

Gibson offered these additional tips:

• If a bird is newly hatched and featherless, it is best to try to find the natural nest site and return the bird. If the nest is too high or destroyed, create a makeshift nest using a cloth-lined cherry tomato basket. Place the artificial nest as high in the tree as you can reach. If the bird is almost fully feathered, it is referred to as a fledgling. These little songbirds cannot yet fly but need to be near their parents who show them where to find food and cover. In a few short days, the fledgling will be able to fly and escape from predators.
• If a songbird is injured, always wear gloves. Even animals and birds that appear healthy may carry parasites or diseases that can be transferred to people or their pets. Place the bird in a small cardboard box, never in a bird cage which can cause feather damage, and call the DEM dispatch line at 222-3070 for help in locating a wildlife rehabilitator in your area.
• Keep cats indoors.

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