How to Care for a Newborn Orphan Mockingbird

Ensure that the baby isn't lost. People frequently find mockingbirds and believe they are abandoned. However, it's extraordinarily unusual for parents to abandon their babies. Walk away from the baby, but keep an eye on it in case a predator approaches. Wait half an hour to allow the parents time to retrieve the baby. If they have not retrieved the baby in that time, it may have been abandoned.

Look for the baby's nest. Baby birds occasionally fall out of nests. If you see a nest nearby, place the baby back in the nest and repeat Step 1. It's a myth that birds will not return to babies that have been handled by humans. If a parent does not retrieve the baby, you need to help the baby yourself.

Pick up the bird by gently cupping it in your hands. Be sure not to pinch its wings or pull any feathers. Orphaned birds may be injured, so avoid petting the bird or putting it in a position that forces it to move.

Place the bird in a container with bedding at the bottom. A wash cloth or paper towels will work just fine for this purpose. Keep the bird warm. You don't need to use a heating pad. Instead, simply holding the box should be sufficient to keep the bird safe until you can obtain help.

Contact a trained wildlife rehabilitator. See Resources for listings. Though it can be tempting to keep a cute baby bird for yourself, the baby bird will most likely die. Birds need to be fed several times an hour and may choke to death if fed incorrectly. Their diets are highly specialized and they will need help learning how to live in the wild as adults.