Spring Brings New Life ... and Baby Birds

American Robin Dad feeding mealworm to baby robin 

We wanted to talk baby birds, because whether it feels like it quite yet or not, yesterday was the first day of Spring!! Spring always signifies so much new life, excitement, and joy. If you have backyard bird feeders, there is a good chance you may have birds nest on your property. So we are going to give a bit of information on what to expect from the life cycle of a baby bird. 

Firstly, if you have not already- scramble to get nesting boxes out there! Our WBU Nest Boxes provide a prime nesting experience for many backyard birds in Ontario by allowing proper drainage and ventilation along the sides. Our WBU Nest Boxes also come with a hinged opening door so that you can access the box and clean it our throughly at the end of the season. Witnessing birds raising their young is a mesmerizing experience and learning opportunity for people of all ages. 

Most Ontario backyard birds are altricial, which put simply means that when the baby birds are hatched or born they are underdeveloped and require care and feeding from their parents. Referred to as hatchlings when they crack through their eggs, they become down covered nestlings who rely on their parents for protection and food. Once they begin to grow feathers, as juveniles they are referred to as fledglings. During their time as fledglings, they are working on building flight muscles and growing flight feathers. Once they are able to fly on their own they will leave the nest area entirely! 

Often, fledglings are mistaken for injured adult birds as they can look quite similar and are seen on the ground, making attempts at flight. 

Here is some helpful information to assist you in what to do if you find a baby bird: https://barrie.wbu.com/problem-solving-baby-birds

Birds can be quite amazing parents! And it is breathtaking to watch them raise their young. We hope that Spring brings heaps of new life to your own backyards. 

Warmly, 

Heather