If you come across a baby bird while enjoying the spring weather and want to know if it needs help, first check if it has feathers.
According to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, that will determine the best action to take.
Robins, typically found in trees, and swallows, which build their nests on eaves and the sides of houses, are the most common baby birds people encounter, per the DWR.
What to do if you find a baby bird without feathers
A featherless bird should be carefully returned to its nest if possible.
If the nest cannot be located, place the bird on a safe branch, as recommended in a recent press release.
The parents will locate the bird from that position.
What to do if you find a baby bird with feathers
If the bird has feathers, do not intervene unless it’s in danger.
These birds are typically in a “hopping” stage, which lasts two to five days before they take their first flight.
“The parents are watching the baby bird and are still feeding it,” the DWR said.
It’s critical that humans don’t interfere with that.
Other guidelines
The same advice applies to baby ducks or ducklings: Do not move them unless they are in immediate danger.
If you see any animals trapped in a storm drain, call your local DWR office or city officials.
The DWR further advises not to feed birds, disturb their nests or take them home — it is against the law in Utah to keep a wild animal as a pet without a special permit.
In addition to these guidelines, if you encounter a group of five or more dead birds, report it to the nearest DWR office and ensure that you do not touch or pick up the birds, as stated in the press release.
For more detailed guidance, refer to the Wild Aware Utah website.