Photo Share: Feeding baby robins

"Good parents give their children Roots and Wings." --Jonas Salk

Poppa shows off his brood of three proudly!

The customers at the East Lansing Wild Birds Unlimited store were treated to the view of Mr. and Mrs. Robin and their three babies today.

When American Robins first leave the nest they can't fly. They are nurtured in their nest until they are about 2 weeks old. Then their parents begin a 2 week basic training course to teach their offspring to hop, sleep on sheltered branches at night, forage for food, and learn how to fly.

Baby robins are very vulnerable before they can fly. To help ensure that the baby robins in your yard are safe, keep cats indoors and don't use unnecessary pesticides in the lawn and garden.

It's a big world out there and it’s amazing how quickly these young birds learn to be independent.

They were eating some peanuts but then I offered them mealworms

and momma and poppa couldn't grab enough!

Fat and happy

If you spot a baby bird in your yard, the best thing to do is probably just leave it alone. Call for help before you do anything.

For a list of licensed rehabilitators click HERE. 

Or visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources at: http://www.michigandnr.com/dlr/

Or to search for a local wildlife rehabilitation group by zip code at: http://www.wildliferehabber.org/ 

Related Articles:

• Why Robins are Attracted to Water http://bit.ly/qP9aTs
• Bird of the Week: American Robin http://bit.ly/pnUKqk
• Fun Facts About The American Robin http://bit.ly/n9CSni
• Why robins are called Robin Redbreast and not orange breast http://goo.gl/OB4iT
• Bald Eagle is the National Symbol of the USA: What are some other Countries' National Birds http://bit.ly/Ljxnow