A Bird In The Hand

The baby sparrow beat its wings in the officer's cupped palms Friday.

The fledgling was about 16 days old and will soon be released into the wild. For a few days it will get the hotel treatment, being cared for at the Marblehead animal shelter.

About this time of year animal control typically gets a lot of calls about baby birds found on the ground.

Last week they responded to calls about grounded baby sparrows, a grackle, a blue jay and barn swallows.

They feed them meal worms and other special foods and then give them a soft release.

A cage is kept near the release in case the bird needs shelter.

Diane released a baby sparrow last week that she had raised since its eyes were shut.

Days later she called the bird — saying, "Are you out there, are you hungry."

It was. It flew to her and she fed it and days later the sparrow joined the general sparrow population.

Usually when people see baby birds on the ground they are fledglings whose attempt at flight from the nest has failed.

The mother birds will move the fallen birds to a hiding place such as under a bush and continue to feed them.

Diane recommends that people stand back and observe when they discover baby birds on the ground.

Usually you will see the mother bird fly into the picture and take care of the baby, she said.