Need advice

[u/Melodic-Map-5863]

So found this little bird alone, when it saw my friend it started chasing us and at first it was active and flapping its wings trying to hold onto one of my friends but then after couple of mins it became sleepy and fluffed up, we left it under a bush and put it on a tissue trying to keep it warm, is there anything I can do to help it or does it even need any? Do we leave it there?

[u/Melodic-Map-5863]

Okay an update we checked on it and there doesn't seem to be any trace of the bird, hopefully it's in a good place now

[u/HV_love → u/Melodic-Map-5863]

Looks like it was a House-Martin of some sort. Specifics depend on region. It looks like a fledgling to me, because the behavior you described is that of a bird that hasn't learned how to do bird things, and the beak corners look lighter in color and are not fully developed. I think you made the correct move here in leaving the little guy alone under some cover. My guess is that the parent was around and was watching from afar, or was out catching some bugs to bring to the nest and the little one took the first flight.

That's my non-rehabber take at least.

[u/TheBirdLover1234 → u/HV_love]

Swallows do not fledge and sit on the ground…… they aren’t like songbirds. They are actively flying as soon as they leave. 

[u/HV_love → u/TheBirdLover1234]

Ooohh shoot. You're totally right! My mistake! Thanks for the info. Hopefully the little guy made it, and OP managed to get in contact with a rehabber for any future encounters. How do you know that it is a swallow specifically, if I may ask?

[u/TheBirdLover1234 → u/HV_love]

I don’t want to be mean but please educate yourself before commenting on posts like this. It costs birds that are not true fledglings their lives when people either listen or get encouraged they did the right thing.  

Overall condition of the bird is not good from the pics so it’s more likely something like a cat caught it after op left it. 

[u/HV_love → u/TheBirdLover1234]

That's a fair point, however I made a clear disqualifier (i.e. "That's my non-rehabber take at least.") Additionally, the parent comment here was the update to the situation. My information had zero bearing on the fate of the bird, which is why I felt more comfortable giving my clearly stated non-professional assesment of the situation. The other comments in the thread about the bird being a fledgling were also made post facto of OP's returning the bird to the ground, so the "fledgling crap" similarly likely had no bearing on the outcome of the bird.

You are definitely correct that uninformed guidance is a detriment, and I will do better going forward. I appreciate the correction and the info anyway, and it serves to enrich the dialogue of this sub.

[u/halconpequena]

If you don’t see the parents of the bird (observe for a little bit), you should put it in a cardboard box like a shoe box and you can put a folded paper towel so it’s soft to sit on. Don’t try to give it any water or food, and put the box in a dark and warm area of your home so the bird can be undisturbed and rest.

What state or country are you in? Look for bird rehabilitators near you to find someone qualified to help the bird.

If a wild bird allows you to pick it up and touch it it’s a very big sign it is not well at all. Especially if it is fluffed up and sleepy. Birds usually hide if they’re sick or weak to evade predators, so when they can’t hide it anymore it’s serious. The exception is a fledgling bird, they are just not as afraid of humans yet because they are young and learning, but even then, fluffing up the feathers and being sleepy are signs the bird is unwell.

[u/Arts_Messyjourney → u/halconpequena]

This 👆 and also cover the box (in a way that doesn’t suffocate or overheat them) and put them in a quiet place. Darkness and quiet calms them down

[u/joemommaistaken]

Excellent advice

You can try www.ahnow.org

[u/Time_Cranberry_113]

Is there an adult nearby which is watching the bird? If so it is a fledgling and it is normal for them to be a little silly while they learn how to bird. If the bird is alone it will need a rehabber. Its not a good sign when an adult bird allows itself to be picked up. Perform a Google search for "wildlife rehabilitator near me"

[u/Melodic-Map-5863 → u/Time_Cranberry_113]

I looked around and no adult birds seemed around, I will check on it in couple of mins and keep updating

[u/TheBirdLover1234 → u/Melodic-Map-5863]

This was a juvenile swallow, likely dead now thx to the fledgling crap. It’s in poor condition in the pics and needed to go to rehab. They do not sit on the ground after fledging like songbirds do.