Identifying baby birds can seem daunting at first, but with some basic knowledge about common backyard birds, their nesting behaviors, and a bit of practice, it can become much easier. Being able to identify baby birds is a useful skill for birders, nature enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to get to know the avian residents in their yard and neighborhood. Below we provide some helpful tips and information to get you started with baby bird identification.
Know Your Backyard Birds and Their Nests
The first step to identifying baby birds is being familiar with the adult species that live and nest in your area. Learn to recognize the common backyard birds in your region and the types of nests they typically build.
Some birds have very distinctive nests that make identification easier. For example:
- Robins build large, messy mud and grass nests on branches, gutters, or ledges.
- Mourning Doves construct flimsy platforms of sticks.
- Chickadees nest in old woodpecker holes or nest boxes.
- Hummingbirds build tiny compact cups of plant fibers, spiderwebs, and lichen.
- Eastern Phoebes make mud nests under overhangs and eaves.
- Barn Swallows build mud nests in the shape of cups or bowls on beams or cliffs.
- American Robins construct cup-shaped nests out of mud, grass, and other debris.
Knowing which species nest in your area and their nesting habits will give you clues about the identity of mystery nestlings.
Observe the Nest
Carefully observe where the nest is located and what it looks like. Note details like the nest material (mud, grass, twigs, etc), size, shape, location, and attachment. With practice, you can recognize certain nest architectures.
The composition and placement of a nest provides hints about the builder. For instance, a cup-shaped nest lined with mud and grass in the crook of a tree likely belongs to an American Robin. A dangling pouch nest attached to a branch is characteristic of an Oriole.
Examine the nest contents. Are there eggs or baby birds? How many? What do the babies look like? Seeing inside the nest will reveal a lot about the residents. Just be sure not to disturb the nest.
Consider the Time of Year
The season and timing of nesting can give clues to identification. Different species nest at characteristic times.
- Robins, Phoebes, and Swallows start nests early in spring.
- Mourning Doves may raise multiple broods from spring to fall.
- Chickadees nest early, often with eggs in April.
- Hummingbirds nest in summer.
- Woodpeckers tend to nest in spring and early summer.
If you find a nest full of noisy nestlings chirping to be fed in July, that rules out early nesters like chickadees and helps narrow the possibilities. Knowing the approximate nesting calendar for your area aids identification.
Observe Parent Birds
Carefully watch the nest and surrounding area for signs of the parents. You may be able to see them visiting the nest to feed nestlings or identify them by their scolding calls if the nest is approached.
Recognizable adult birds coming and going from a nest is one of the best clues you can get about nest occupants. The behavior and interaction between parents and babies can also offer hints about species.
For example, House Finch parents are very attentive, frequently visiting the nest with food. In contrast, young Mourning Doves seem to be on their own very early.
Consider Size and Appearance
Carefully observe the baby birds themselves. Details like their size, feathering, bill shape, skin color, and behaviors can reveal their identity, even if the parents aren’t seen.
Some aspects to note:
- Size: Is the nestling tiny like a hummingbird? Plump like a robin? Over-sized like a crow?
- Feathering: Is the baby mostly naked or does it have a noticeable coat of downy feathers? What color are the feathers?
- Skin color: Is the skin pinkish? Dark gray? Yellowish?
- Bill shape/size: Is the bill short and conical like a sparrow? Long and pointed like a hummingbird? Short and stubby like a chickadee?
- Behaviors: Do the babies remain quietly in the nest? Dart around athletically? Clamor noisily to be fed?
Comparing these observed details against known baby bird characteristics will help point to possible species. With experience, you will start noticing distinguishing features.
Use Field Guides and Online Resources
Consult field guides and online bird identification resources to compare your observations and narrow down possibilities.
Guides like the Audubon Bird Guide app or the Sibley app have photos of juvenile birds and informative species accounts. Online bird sites like AllAboutBirds.org provide details on physical descriptions of nestlings along with nesting behavior.
If you can capture a photo of the baby bird, use the Merlin bird ID app by the Cornell Lab to get suggestions based on the photo. Always be sure to follow ethical bird photography practices and do not overly disturb nests.
Seek Expert Help If Needed
Some baby birds can be tricky to identify, even for experienced birders. If you cannot make a confident ID from field marks, behavior, timing, location, parent birds, and guides, consider posting on an online birding forum for expert help.
Helpful communities include:
- Facebook birding groups – ID My Bird, Bird Identification, What Bird is This?
- Reddit groups like r/whatsthisbird and r/ornithology
- Online birding forums like BirdForum.net and Birdwatching Forums
Expert birders will provide guidance but avoid sharing nest locations publicly to protect the birds. Only seek help if truly stumped after diligent effort.
Avoid Disturbing Nests
While observing nests can be informative, be very careful not to disturb them in the process. Excessive disturbance risks nest abandonment or attracting predators.
Follow these tips for responsible nest observation:
- Only spend brief periods observing at a distance. Never handle nests or eggs.
- Don’t check nests at night with flashlights. Night visits can startle birds and expose them.
- Limit your visits to once a day max and keep noise and motion to a minimum.
- If adults seem agitated by your presence, leave the area.
- Do not trim branches or remove nests, even if they seem inconveniently located. It is illegal to tamper with active nests.
- Keep pets away and deter children from disturbing nests.
With care, you can satisfy your curiosity about baby birds while ensuring nests remain safe and successful!
FAQs About Identifying Baby Birds
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about identifying mystery nestlings:
How can I tell what kind of baby bird I have in my yard?
Start by observing the nest placement, materials, and construction which may provide clues about the adult species. Details like size, feathering, skin coloration, and bill shape of the nestlings can also help ID them. Try to spot any parental birds visiting the nest. Use the season and timing to rule out unlikely species. Compare field guide photos and descriptions to the actual baby birds.
What are some unique features of common backyard baby birds?
- American Robin nestlings are plump, naked or with wispy down, and have speckled skin.
- Chickadee babies are tiny, round, and fuzzy with skin starting grey and turning pink as they mature.
- House Finch nestlings gape bright yellow and have faint streaking on white downy bodies.
- Mourning Dove nestlings have huge dark eyes and scraggly pinfeathers on their disproportionately large bodies.
- Red-winged Blackbird nestlings start with pink skin that grays and down that is darker on the head and back.
How can I identify a baby bird if I don’t see the parents?
Look for identifying factors like nest placement, materials, and construction. Details of the baby birds themselves like approximate age, size, color patterns, bill shape, behaviors, and sounds can aid identification. Use the timing of year and season to rule out species. Consult field guides and online bird ID communities to compare your observations if stumped.
What are signs a baby bird is struggling or in distress?
Signs of trouble include: excessive crying with no parental response, obvious injuries or malformed body parts, weakness or inability to sit upright, infested with parasites like flies or mites, covered in droppings with soiled matted down, and shivering. If you observe any signals of distress, contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately for advice.
Can I rescue baby birds I find out of the nest?
It is usually best not to interfere with baby birds. If nestlings have fallen or jumped from the nest prematurely, you can try to return them if you can find and safely access the nest. Parent birds will usually continue caring for them. Only rescue baby birds if they are clearly injured or ailing and you cannot locate the nest at all after monitoring for an extended time. In that case, carefully move them to a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Identifying baby birds starts with observation of key clues like nests, parent birds, timing, appearance, and behaviors. Comparing field guide descriptions, photos, and audio recordings aids the process. With practice and careful attention to detail, bird watchers can go from confusion to confidence in determining the identity of backyard nestlings. Pay special care not to disturb nests in the process and seek licensed help when needed. Successfully sleuthing out the species of mystery baby birds makes for a fun and rewarding challenge!