Fledgling BirdsBy Kath Adriaanse / October 12, 2023 Advice Title Advice Content Visual Code Many young birds will leave the nest and spend several days on the ground while they are learning to fly. This process is called fledging, and birds of this age are called fledglings. Fledgling birds will usually have mostly smooth adult feathers with a few fluffy feathers. They should be bright and active and may be calling out. You might see them flapping and jumping, although they may not seem to be able to fly at all. The parent birds should be close by monitoring the fledgling and may be bringing it food occasionally. Unless they appear injured or in danger (e.g. from traffic or domestic pets) fledgling birds should be left alone. If you think a bird you have found might be a fledgling but are unsure, please contact WIRES on 1300 094 737 or your local veterinary clinic for more advice. Featured Image Advice Types Contact General Contact Specific Further Action General Join Community Safety Warning Specific Thanks -- Parent -- Add New Species Bird Bird of prey Emu Kookaburra or kingfisher Magpie or currawong Other or unsure Owl or frogmouth Parrot Pigeon or dove Raven or crow Songbirds Waterbird Fish Frog Mammal Bandicoot Bat Dingo, wild dog or fox Echidna Feral camel, goat or cattle Feral cat Feral deer Feral pig Kangaroo or wallaby Koala Other or unsure Platypus Possum or glider Rat or mouse Wombat Other Insects Other or unsure Slugs or snails Yabby or crayfish Reptile Lizard Snake Turtle or tortoise -- Parent -- Add New Clinical Signs Abnormal behaviour Dead Found on the ground Orphaned young Skin or feather abnormalities Thin or poor body condition Traumatic injuries -- Parent -- Add New Numbers a: One (1) b: Two to ten (2-10) c: Eleven to one hundred (11-100) d: More than one hundred (>100) e: Thousands (1,000+) -- Parent -- Add New