What's that Fledgling?

Fledglings often look different to adults; so we've put together this handy identification guide.

At this time of year it's likely that you'll start to see some unusual birds in your garden. Rather than a new species or a rare visitor, they are likely to be fledglings. Young birds often look different to adults and can be easily mistaken!

Identification tips:

It's pretty easy to spot whether a bird is a fledgling even if you are not sure of the species, look for the following characteristics:

Fluffy feathers. Soft fluffy feathers help keep young birds warm in the nest, it takes a while for a fledgling to develop 'proper' feathers.

Distinctive beak. Fledglings will have a wide, gaping beak with flashes of yellow almost clown like!

Noise! You cannot miss the incessant chirping and tweeting of fledglings as they call for their parents in the hope of a tasty treat.

Hopping on the ground. Newly fledged birds will be uncertain flyers and some might not be able to fly at all (Blackbirds commonly leave the nest before they can properly fly).

Hide and seek. Because they're extremely vulnerable to predators, you'll often see fledglings hiding under bushes and shrubs.

Parental feeding. The biggest giveaway is the close attention given by anxious parents, often darting down to give a quick mouthful of food.

Identification Guide:

                  1) Blackbird                                       2) Blue Tit                                           3) Chaffinch

                 

                  4) Coal Tit                                           5) Goldfinch                                       6) Great Tit

                 

                  7) Greenfinch                                     8) House Sparrow                           9) Long Tailed Tit

                 

                  10) Robin                                           11) Starling                                       12) Wren

                 

How you can help your fledglings:

It's possible that two thirds of the young fledglings you'll see in your garden won't make it to their next spring. There are plenty of ways you can help to improve their chances:

Keep cats and dogs indoors. If you spot fledglings hopping about your garden try to keep pets inside or try to frighten off the birds before you let them out.

Provide shelter. Young birds are adept at hiding themselves, by providing shrubs and bushes or creating nooks and crannies between pots or underneath containers you'll create areas of welcome sanctuary.

Don't be tempted to 'rescue' a fledgling. Parent birds are much better at looking after their offspring than we are, and will often be somewhere nearby keeping a close watch. If you have to move a bird to safety (from the edge of a curb for example) put it somewhere sheltered, close-by (under a bush or into a tree) where cats won't see it.

Put out a shallow dish of water. A regular supply of water is vital for all birds and fledglings may struggle to reach bird baths easily. Locate a shallow dish of water under a shrub or bush to allow the youngsters to drink safely.

Provide a regular supply of good quality food. By putting out high energy food in different locations you'll be greatly helping to improve their chances of survival. Fat products, ground feeding mixes, live mealworms and high energy fledgling mixes will all enable young birds to gain weight and condition quickly.