What TO DO If You Find A Baby Bird
	If you have found an orphaned baby bird or mammal, you can do the following until you can locate a permitted wildlife rehabilitator to take it to:
	Screen the baby to ensure it is truly orphaned Is it injured? Is it cold? Is it dehydrated? Does it's abdomen appear overly wrinkled or paperish-white? Does it's abdomen and eyes appear sunken-in? Is it lethargic, inactive, or uninterested in it's surroundings? Was it handled by a dog or cat/did you find it near a dog or cat? Are there dead siblings/parents near-by? Is it a naked or partially feather baby bird? Are there flies around the baby? Is it in imminent danger? Have you spoken with a rehabilitator, and attempted to renest/reunite but have not seen the parents in over 2 to 4 hours If you answered yes to ANY of these questions, take the following steps: Place the baby in a softly-lined covered box with ventilation Place the box in a warm, dark quiet indoor location away from all humans and pets Do Not attempt to give it food or water, no matter how much it begs! Contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately. You can get their number by calling your local animal shelters, animal control, or your state game commission. If you find a baby bird on the ground, please do not assume that it is orphaned or abandoned. The parents may be out collecting food or keeping an eye on junior from a distance. If the baby bird is partially feathered or naked, try to put it back in its nest. IT IS A MYTH THAT BIRDS WILL NOT ACCEPT BACK BABY BIRDS THAT HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY PEOPLE; THEY WILL.  Birds have no sense of smell as mammals do. If you answered no to all of these questions, or if you are unsure, renest or reunite the baby with it's parents. After 2 hours and no parents, then take the bird to a rehabber. Screeing Baby Birds:     NAKED BABIES: 3 circumstances can be attributed to causing "hatchlings" to fall from the nest: Damaged nest (holes, wind, storm, wear) Removal by competitor birds Predators PARTIALLY FEATHERED: Either return to original nest or make a new one using a hanging planter with drainage holes or wicker basket lined with soft straw or dry grass (no more than 8 inches deep!). Hang on tree closest to where baby was found, 6-8 feet off ground, away from trunk, and under overhead branches (protection from sun and predators). Keep all activity away (kids, pets, etc) or parents will be too nervous to return to feed the baby. Observe from a distance for no more than 2 hours. Please note: birds build nests that comfortably accomodate 3-5 eggs. Unfortunately, these nests may not be large enough to hold 3-5 growing baby birds. Returning a baby to an overcrowded nest is not the solution. Creating a substitute nest and placing all the babies in it may alleviate the problem. Additionally, parent birds are unable to care for 2 nests so it is important to avoid placing a baby in a substitute nest if the original nest still has siblings in it. FULLY FEATHERED: Hopping babies on the ground are usually 3-5 days away from flying. They tend to be "bouncy" and cautious of humans. Although unable to fly, they are usually not easy to catch. If the parents are still feeding or calling to it, perch the bird in a heavy shrub or low tree. Make a small, secure twig or brush pile that the baby can hop into for protection. ALL pets must be kept clear of this area until the baby is flying. Observe from a distance for no more than 2 hours. Parent mourning dove with a foot on its baby.
	Wildlife and Pet Links
	Wildlife Rehabber Wildlife Information Directory National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association US Fish and Wildlife Service AZ Fish and Game Dept