OUTDOOR BRIEF

PUT IT BACK

It's the season for finding baby birds

It's spring and the calls are coming in to the Nevada Department of Wildlife. "I found a baby bird. What should I do?"

Juvenile birds occasionally will fall out of the nest. It may be accidental, or some may be rejected by the parents. Older chicks may just be testing their wings. In any case, many folks are concerned about how they can help these birds when they find them.

"The best thing you can do for a baby bird that has fallen out of the nest is to put it back," says Cris Tomlinson, supervisory diversity biologist for NDOW.

If you can't find the nest immediately nearby, put the juveniles in a shrub or other vegetation where they will have cover to protect them from predators. The parents likely will find them again.

The most common young birds that are found on the ground in the Las Vegas area are house sparrows, finches, starlings, mourning doves, grackles and northern mockingbirds.

Ducks are another migratory bird that may have found their way into your yard. If you find two adult ducks or a pair in your pool, that may mean they are thinking about nesting or may have already nested. Once you find a nest, eggs or ducklings, the birds cannot be disturbed. Also, the ducks cannot be driven from the nest. They must be allowed to leave on their own. Ducklings may not be able to escape the pool. Homeowners can help by draping a piece of cloth or placing a board into the pool from one side so that they can climb out.

You can find more information on urban wildlife interactions at www.ndow.org/about/pubs/brochure/urbanwild.pdf.