If you find a fledgling…

🐦 And it’s sitting on the ground, not flying away, looking lonely — it may seem like something is wrong and it needs help.

But most often, this is a natural situation 💚

This is a fledgling. A young bird that has just left the nest. It can’t fly well yet, is a bit confused, but not abandoned. It has parents — you just can’t see them.

The bird’s parents are nearby. They are watching from a distance and waiting for it to be safe. They continue to feed their young — in a way that no one else can.

With what?
🪱 With worms, bugs, and small insects.
🪶 Sometimes — regurgitated partially digested food that the chick couldn’t find on its own.
👀 Even in the city, they know exactly where their chick is.

Many people, seeing such a bird, sincerely want to help — they take it home, try to feed it, and later turn to a zoo.

But in most cases, this help is unnecessary. On the contrary — intervention can be harmful. The fledgling loses contact with its parents and the chance to go through the natural learning process.

🧑‍⚕️ At Kyiv Zoo we provide assistance to wild animals that truly need it — those that are injured or exhausted.
But healthy fledglings are not a case for rescue. They are better off staying where they are — in their familiar environment, under the care of their parents.

What can you do?
✅ If the fledgling is safe — just leave it.
✅ If it’s near a road or in a dangerous place — carefully move it to a bush or under a tree.
✅ And step away. That’s when the parents will come back.

🌿 Nature is wise — even in the city.
The best help is not to interfere.