A Lesson From A Baby Robin & It's Mommy!

by Nancy Smallwood
(Fairview, MO - Newton.)

Helping a Baby Robin: A Lesson in Nature

Hi, my name is Nancy, and I'd like to share my story about helping a baby robin I found in my backyard.

My roommate owns his home, which comes with lots of land and plenty of trees, a perfect habitat for robins.

Each spring, the robins come by the dozens, and it's always a joy to see them hopping around the yard.

One day, I let my two dogs out to use the potty and wandered over to the peach trees at the back of the yard.

That's when I spotted something unusual, a tiny baby bird, right at my feet!

At first, I wasn't sure what to do. I don't know much about birds, but I couldn't leave the little guy there. I tried to catch him, but he kept hopping further away.

Determined, I got down on my knees and crawled under the tree until I finally caught the little tike and cupped him gently in my hands.

What to Feed a Baby Robin?

The first thing that came to mind was worms. I noticed the baby robin's bottom beak was slightly deformed, but he seemed eager to eat.

I found a small worm, held it up to him, and he gobbled it right up. It felt like a small victory!

Next, I made a cozy box for him. My mom used to tell us that if you handled a baby bird, its mother would reject it.

My roommate said the same thing. Feeling conflicted, I called a friend who raises chickens and ducks, and she reassured me that this was just a myth.

Returning the Baby Robin to Its Nest

Armed with this new knowledge, I took the baby robin back outside and placed him where I had found him.

I stepped back far enough to observe without scaring the mother. Sure enough, the mama robin returned to feed her baby! Relieved, I went back into the house.

But then it started to rain, and I began worrying all over again. What if he got too cold or wet?

Unable to shake the thought, I went back out, scooped him up, and held him to keep him warm.

Learning About Baby Robins

Curious about how to care for baby robins, I turned to this very website and learned so much.

I found out that if a baby bird can perch on your finger, it's likely not a nestling but a fledgling learning to fly.

That explained why this little robin was hopping around on the ground, he wasn't lost; he was taking his first steps (or hops) toward independence!

I took him back out again and placed him in a tree. This time, he latched onto a branch right away.

It felt good to know he was where he belonged, with his mama nearby to care for him.

A Happy Ending

For three hours, I stayed outside, keeping an eye on the baby robin to ensure he was safe from predators.

Watching his mother feed him and seeing him cling to that branch gave me so much peace.

Helping this baby robin taught me a valuable lesson about nature. While it can sometimes seem harsh, it’s also incredible and beautiful.

I'll never forget that little bird or the time I spent ensuring he had a fighting chance.

Our yard continues to be a haven for robins, and I like to think it's because we keep it mowed, making it easier for them to find worms.

Maybe they're saying thank you in their own way.

Wild-Bird-Watching.com says:
It's a common myth that touching baby birds causes the adults to abandon them. In reality, birds rely on visual and auditory cues rather than smell.

The most important thing is to minimize stress and return the bird to its natural environment as quickly as possible.