Abandoned Jackdaws

bogwalrus

We have a large tree in our yard and over the last week I noticed 3 young jackdaws hanging around the base of it. Anytime I went near them I could hear other jackdaws in the tree making a lot of noise so I just left them. The birds did not look very young so I figured they were at the stage where they were about to learn to fly etc.

Anyway today I went around the yard looking for them and found two dead in some long grass and the third alive at the base of the tree. When I go near the live one the jackdaws in the tree starting making loud noises.

I'm not really sure what to do here. Are the parents intentionally leaving the young to their own devices even though they cant fly and seem to not know how to forage for food. I have a feeling this third bird might end up like the others if I don't intervene in some way. The fact that the other jackdaws in the tree make noise if I go near it is telling me that they are aware of the situation.

I'd like to hear some opinions on what I should do. Thanks

OpenYourEyes

If you can grab the jackdaw and put it on a branch of the tree then that's worth doing. They may have prematurely jumped from the nest, but being on the ground like that leaves them vulnerable to predators. It needs to be within a short distance of the parents though

bogwalrus

OpenYourEyes wrote: »

If you can grab the jackdaw and put it on a branch of the tree then that's worth doing. They may have prematurely jumped from the nest, but being on the ground like that leaves them vulnerable to predators. It needs to be within a short distance of the parents though

I managed to put it on a branch this morning. Around 15 mins later it jumped down (I saw it jump) the parents are stilling hanging around and even standing near it but I have yet to see it eat or be fed by mother. I am guessing parents are letting it figure these things out itself. If I notice it getting weak I'll intervene and bring to vet.

locum-motion

It's a wild animal, and in the wild, some offspring don't make it to adulthood. The species get around this by producing lots of offspring to ensure its survival.

If it were something rare or endangered, that needs human intervention to help preserve the species, then I'd suggest intervening as you say.

But it's a jackdaw.

Leave it alone.

bogwalrus

locum-motion wrote: »

It's a wild animal, and in the wild, some offspring don't make it to adulthood. The species get around this by producing lots of offspring to ensure its survival.

If it were something rare or endangered, that needs human intervention to help preserve the species, then I'd suggest intervening as you say.

But it's a jackdaw.

Leave it alone.

Fair enough. I don't personally believe in human intervention but being human it's hard not to want to help the little fella out.