The fledgling stage, when the bird leaves the nest and can't fly very
well, is a perilous one for baby birds. Jays seem to take a few days to
"get their wings under them." If it's been a long time since the bird ate,
and it's acting weak, your friend should feed it some dog food (canned or
soaked dry food) and set it in the trees where it was found. The parents
are probably nearby and will hear it squawking. If it's not weak, put it
in the trees without feeding it.

Kelly Cassidy -- Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Box 357980, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195
kelly at u.washington.edu --- 206-685-4195 --- 206-368-8076

On Thu, 17 Jul 1997, Donna Koerker wrote:

>
> A friend just call and has "rescued" a baby Steller's Jay. It sounds like
> it is pretty mature but not flying yet. The bird was on the ground under
> the nest and they were afraid their cats would get it.
>
> They want to know who to call or take it to for care. Any suggestions?
> We live in the DesMoines area. The only place we know of is PAWS in
> Lynnwood and thats a long way from here.
>
> Donna J. Koerker, PhD
> Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics
> e-mail: djkoerk at u.washington.edu
>
>
>