Junco Rescue

The best thing you can do when rescuing baby birds is NOT to. I know this sounds uncaring and cruel. I also know that for nature lovers (with me being one of them), not rescuing a baby bird can seem impossible. How can you NOT rescue something so tiny and fragile in a world that can be frightening and dangerous, and most likely end in tragedy?

First, if you've found a Junco hatchling or nestling that fell out of the nest, try to find the nest. It should be close by. Juncos nest on the ground under ivy, bushes, steps, porches, and inside plant pots and hangers. Nests are small and bowl-shaped, 3-5 inches across, made of small pieces of soft twigs and grass. If you find it, place the baby back into the nest. Juncos are very protective of their babies, and the mother will continue to feed them. You can keep an eye on the nest to see if mom returns. Very young babies feed about every 15 minutes, so you should be able to see the mother return pretty soon. It may take a bit longer for her to forage for food in winter. 

When it comes to baby birds, there are three stages of babyhood: hatchlings (babies), nestlings (chicks), and fledglings (youngsters). Hatchlings have just hatched, nestlings are still in the nest, and fledglings are young birds that have left the nest. By the way, fledglings often have short tails and look like they can't fly, but they can flutter up to low branches and into trees to stay safe. The problem is they don't yet know what to be afraid of and are often caught by cats and other birds, such as crows and owls. 

If you find a fledgling, you can also try to place it back in the nest. Sometimes, babies get curious and topple out a little too soon. If it continues to hop out, let it go. The mother bird will hear it calling when hungry and continue feeding it.

But what if you return a baby to the nest (or find babies crying in a nest) and the mother doesn't return? I'm sorry to say that while agencies will pick up and care for particular species of abandoned, injured, or sick birds, none that I know of take in baby Juncos. You also need to know that unless a veterinarian has a license to treat wild birds, you will not be able to find a doctor should your Junco need one. If the mother doesn't return and you know a baby won't survive, you have a choice to make.  

 
You can choose to let nature take its course, which is probably the hardest thing to do spiritually, or you can rescue the chick, which will be challenging mentally, physically, and emotionally when your life is turned upside down by feeding a baby bird every 15 minutes day and night. Your baby will need attention around the clock for a couple of weeks, until it's a fledgling. But it doesn't stop there. Fledglings need care too, every hour or so. And after it begins to flutter around on its own, you'll have to free it. What if it refuses to go? What if it's been away from his relatives for so long that they won't accept it? What if not having a mother and father leaves him or her "street" stupid? What if it dies? What if you can't walk away? Then you have a pet for life. And Juncos can live for up to 20 years in captivity when well-cared for. Allowing nature to take its course is likely best. That's not to say you and your Junco can't offer each other years of love. 

Should you decide to create a backyard sanctuary for Juncos, it's best to keep your cat indoors, because Juncos are trusting little souls whose nests are easy to access. And while Juncos may fly North or higher up into the mountains when temperatures climb in summer, they'll return to you when temperatures cool as long as you feed them a proper diet. 

If you decide to raise a Junco, please refer to Junco Diet to ensure your new family member has everything they need to grow up healthy and happy. Here's something to think about before taking in a Junco. If a Junco survives beyond the fledgling stage (and about half won't), it can live up to 11 years in the wild and up to 20 in captivity.