A number of people have contacted us and said something like, “Migration season is pretty much over, so I figure it’s safe enough to let my cat out now.”

Nothing could be further from the truth!

Migration season is indeed pretty much over, but that does not mean it’s safe to let your cat out: it means it’s fledgling season!

Fledglings are at one of the most dangerous times of their lives, facing an average mortality rate of 30-40% over just a few weeks. Most of that mortality happens early in that period, when the fledglings have just left the nest. They have almost no survival skills; they can’t feed themselves yet; they can’t fly well yet (or in many cases, at all); and they can’t do anything to defend themselves. Staying in the nest is not an option, however, since they won’t learn the birdy skills they need unless they get out there into the big wide world.

Fledglings are struggling to turn into successful adult birds, so while they’re trying to hide from predators, learn how to fly and learn what to eat, they are also learning their species’ song, developing their idea of what and where a good nest is, and forming social relationships. All of this is crucial for their adult survival and eventual breeding.

At this time of year, many wildlife centres see an influx of fledglings that have been caught by cats. Even one nick from a cats’ tooth or claw can kill the bird due to the subsequent infection.

If you’d like to learn more about what to do if you find an injured baby bird or fledgling, visit Nature Canada’s site here.