It is time for my annual “What should I do when I find a baby bird that has fallen out of the nest?” column. It could easily ...

Baby cardinals and hooded warblers may be ready to leave the nest and attempt to fly only nine days after hatching. For bluebirds and brown-headed nuthatches, it may take 16-21 days.

He says that when a bird of prey fledges from the nest, it needs parental support to survive. "They're not able to catch food for themselves right away," he said.