When can I let a wild bird go?

Question

My mother found a cardinal baby bird about 1 month and a half ago. He eats seeds and drinks water. Can he be released into the wild yet, or should they just keep him. Will he survive? Thanks.

Answer 1

You need to turn this bird over to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately. First, in the US, all native migratory birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and it is illegal to have one unless you have the proper permits. Licensed wildlife rehabilitator have the required state and federal permits that allows them to keep wild animals, for a short time, until they are healthy enough to be released back into the wild.

Second, there is so much more to rehabilitation than keeping the bird alive until you think it is ready for release. You have to know how to assess the birds general health and condition. A baby bird kept in captivity must be taught to recognize and find the type of food it will eat in the wild. If it is being hand-fed, it may not associate the bugs and berries and seeds in nature as being food. You say it is eating seed and drinking water, but does it know how to find it on its own in the wild?

It must also have the opportunity to exercise its wings a lot, so it will be able to fly on or shortly after release. When I volunteered at the Avian Rehabilitation Center, we kept the rehabilitating fledglings in a large walk-in cage with lots of shelves and branches leading from one shelf to the other, and down to the ground. We would place different types of food in the cage for them, as they were being weaned from the hand-feeding formula. We offered seed, meal worms and chopped up fruit. No fledgling was released until it was eating on its own, had sufficient weight gain, had all of its flight feathers in good condition, had no sign of diarreah or nasal discharge, had clear eyes, and could fly at least a few feet in a straight line.

If you handled this bird too much, made him too tame, it is not going to survive in the wild. A licensed wildlife rehabilitator may be able to undo any harm you have done, and prepare this bird to be released, but it may take all winter to do it.

Please take it to a professional now, and do not release it unprepared as it will not survive through the winter.

Answer 2

While I don't think most states have a law about this, I'm sure some do. If you leave a bucket of food outside for them, other birds will get it. Your pet birds would be too scared to get any food. It's just a bad idea to to let them go, most would not make it in the wild. Their mothers teach them the ways of the world. And most never get to spend any time with their mothers after hatching. So they don't know who is friend or foe. They would not be able to handle the weather this time of year, after being in a nice warm home and then out in the cold winter air would kill them in no time. Then finding food this time of year would be almost impossible for a bird that didn't already know the lay of the land. It's hard enough to find food during the summer for some of them. They would not know what's good for them and what's not good for them. No ones ever taught them that. And is this what you really want to teach your kids. You don't want an animal any more, just throw him away. The best way would be to find them a new home. You can use craigslist or Ebay classifieds, they both are free to use. This way you could get back part of your investment. You could also give them up to the local animal shelter. Or place an and in the local paper for a small fee, or just give them away. Good Luck, I really hope you make the right choice on this one. The birds lives depend on you making the right choice.

Answer 3

When a bird can fly freely, eat and drink on it's own it has a good chance of making it as long as the weather is good. Birds do however continue to hang with their parents to learn how to survive, where there is food, what to eat and where to get water, what to be afraid of as well as to satisfy their need for social interaction. Birds are best released with others of it's kind so you may want to find a wild bird re-habber who has others to release at the same time (there are loads of baby Cardinals in my area this time of year) or an outdoor aviary where the bird has a chance to become 'hardened off' (used to the variables of living out of doors). Many birds, like Starlings, Sparrows and even Cedar Waxwings,will follow their parents around for days or even weeks after they can take care of themselves. So if you release this bird near your home keep an eye out for him in case he needs a bit of extra help before becoming a free spirit. Unfortunately you cannot keep the bird forever. You are suppose to be licensed even to care for his bird but I cannot imagine anyone getting you into trouble for helping one poor little bird...keeping him as a pet however would be a different story. Call area nature centers, vets, humane societies and animal control and I am sure they can put you in touch with someone who can help your little guy if you feel uneasy about just setting him free. On behalf of the bird, thank your mom for being such a good Human Being!

Answer 4

You should have never have raised this bird yourself in the first place...not only are you breaking the law by having it in your possession...but you may have doomed this bird to it's death. It will not survive if you release it now as it would have no idea how to hunt or forage on it's own, and now it is acclaimated to humans and may seek them out and be harmed or killed by someone. You need to get this bird to a wildlife rehabilitation and they may hopefully be able to get it released back into the wild where it belongs. You may think you have been doing a good deed, but you should have handed this bird over to a rehab immediately. I supposse late in better than never. Please get it to a rehab so that it may still have a chance to live a normal life in nature where it belongs. Look here:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm

Answer 5

If he can fly and can eat independently, he is ready to start moving into the wild.
He needs to be accustomed to the weather and to the outdoor environment. Put his cage in a safe place outside so he can get used to the territory and the weather. Depending on the weather where you are, you may or may not have to bring him in at nights or get him used to it gradually. After a couple of weeks you can open the cage door but keep food and water in the cage as usual. This way he can come and go as he pleases, and he won't starve until he learns where the food is outdoors. When he stops coming back to the cage, he's free!

Answer 6

I would let it go while it is still nice outdoors. Maybe leave some seed outside for a short time. Let it get used to being on its own. If it doesn't adjust, I'm sure there is a local vet or animal rescue center that can help.
I know in my state it is illegal to keep song birds. I have also heard it is illegal to just possess a feather from a songbird.

Answer 7

This question should really be answered by your local Fish and Game department.