Fallen Chicks & Eggs

Encounters with fallen chicks, which are usually as a consequence of a heat wave, but other causes may lay behind such as lack of food, presence of predator that make the chick escape, parasite infestation, adult rivalry that leads to fights around the nest and even infanticide. Humans can also cause, either deliberately or not, a chick or the whole nest to fall, eg. when pruning a tree where there is a 'hidden' nest.

So let's collect those "hot spots" where chicks are more prone to fall and hopefully preventive measures could be taken at these places.

Important to know, what to do when an alive fallen chick is found.
Is it really hopeless and unattended? The chicks of several species of birds typically leave the nest when they are not fully developed and it's totally normal, such as the blackbird (Turdus merula), or the great tit (Parus major).

Also, in other cases the chicks are precocial and leave the nest soon after they hatch, but are still unable to fly, such as partridges or nightjars . These can't be never considered fallen chicks, and we should not disturb the chicks if found.

But some times birds really need help. A premature fallen house sparrow or a landed swift is most probably in trouble. The house sparrow might have some chances if we note the parents are taking care of it (and there are not many cats in the area or in the middle of a busy road). But in the case of a swift it can't survice on its own since parents only attend their chicks inside the nest. They sould be taken to a rehabilitation centre: https://www.swift-conservation.org/SwiftFirstAid.htm

Tips about what to do when a baby bird is found:
Source no.1: https://www.wildbirdfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/I-found-a-baby-bird-with-photos-large-2-scaled.jpg
More sources: .... let me know if you have another good set of tips.

~ OBJETIVES ~
This project can be useful:
1) For locating those places where chicks are more prone to fall and once the cause is found, hopefully preventing measures can be taken.
2) To learn about the different problems birds encounter when breeding, for example, are dry or hot years more prone to cause massive chick falls? In what periods are fallen chicks more prone to be found?
3) To give tips about what to do when a fallen chick is found. menos ↑