Rains bring down bird nests, chicks

The next time you spot a helpless chick, here is how you can help them

BENGALURU: The rainy, windy weather in Bengaluru has caused a lot of trees and branches to fall down. This has also affected our feathered friends, who call these trees home.

It’s common for chicks to fall to the ground from their nests this time of the year since they can’t fly away, and City Express spoke to a representative, Samhita, from local wildlife rescue centre People For Animals (PFA) to get some tips on what should be done by citizens if they come across a fallen bird.

• The first thing to do is to identify the bird from a distance identify the species. If you can’t, observe from a distance.
• Don’t immediatly approach the bird, listen to its calls as it might be calling out to its parents.Wait a while and see if you can hear other birds with the same call, there is a high chance that its parents are nearby and will rescue it. Again, keep your distance, as the parents might see you as a predator. This makes chances of abandonment higher.
• If you can’t see its parents coming to save it and the nest is not too high up, you can attempt to place it back in the nest. However, be sure to use a soft cloth and cover parts of its face. Birds go into a state of shock in situations like this, so be gentle to reduce the shock.
• It’s a common assumption that once a human has touched a bird, the parents will get the smell and abandon it. This is completely false, and it is just a belief. Birds can’t smell human touch, so if it is possible to put the bird back, don’t hesitate on those grounds.
• If its parents aren’t nearby and the nest can’t be reached/identified, take the bird home and place it in a box that isn’t too big or too small, and has plenty of holes for ventilation. It is essential that the right temperature conditions are maintained.
• Do not feed the bird unless you know what the particular species is used to eating. Water should be put in a bowl rather than hand fed. Young birds need to be fed by their mothers, so if the bird isn’t eating or drinking, take it to a rescue centre. These centres have the right formulas and know-how.
• Don’t house them for too long before taking it to a rescue centre. In case you see a chick that has fallen and are not sure about what to do, call  PFA’s rescue helpline at +91 99000 25370.