Now that warmer weather is here, young birds who are learning to fly may be spotted on the ground. Often, when people come across these fledglings, they assume the birds need help and will try to save them. While most fledglings don’t need assistance, it’s good to know how to spot the ones who do and to identify nestlings, who are too young to be out of the nest at all!
If you find a young bird out of the nest and on the ground, follow this guide to determine if he or she needs any help as well as the best way to swoop in to offer assistance if necessary:
Sage is a popular herb grown for both its culinary and ornamental value Its fragrant leaves are used to flavor foods, while its flowers come in a beautiful array of colors that brighten up any garden. However, these tasty and attractive qualities make sage vulnerable to birds who love to snack on the leaves and pluck at the blooms Protecting your baby sage plants from birds takes some planning and diligence, but is absolutely worth the effort to be able to enjoy a thriving sage plant.
Why Birds Love Sage
Before diving into protection methods, it’s helpful to understand what attracts birds to sage in the first place. Here are some of the main reasons birds go after sage:
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Tasty Leaves – Many birds are attracted to the fragrant, savory taste of sage leaves. Birds like finches, sparrows and chickadees will nibble at the leaves.
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Bright Flowers – Hummingbirds, in particular, are drawn to the tubular red, purple, pink or white flowers that varieties like salvia microphylla (Hot Lips sage) produce. They’ll poke their beaks into the blooms looking for nectar.
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Nesting Material – Fluffy sage flowers and leaves often get plucked by birds to line their nests and make them more comfortable.
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Insects – Birds forage in sage for tasty insects like aphids, caterpillars, and ants that can live on the plants.
Physical Barriers
Physical barriers are the first line of defense to prevent birds from destroying your sage. Here are some effective options:
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Bird Netting – Cover young plants with bird netting anchored firmly to the ground. Ensure no gaps where birds can slip underneath.
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Cloches – Place cloches, plastic domes or milk jugs with the bottoms cut off over each plant to create a protective barrier.
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Row Covers – Cover entire sage rows with mesh fabric row covers. Leave room for the plants to grow taller.
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Cages – Build cages out of chicken wire, hardware cloth or plastic garden fencing to surround plants.
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Scarecrow – Position a decorative or DIY scarecrow near your sage to frighten birds away.
Natural Repellents
You can also use natural scents and textures to repel birds from your sage:
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Blood Meal – Sprinkle blood meal fertilizer around plants. Its blood-like smell deters birds. Reapply after rain.
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Human Hair – Collect hair clippings in old pantyhose and hang near your sage. The movement and human scent drives birds away.
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Aluminum Pie Pans – Suspend shiny pie pans near plants so the noise and reflection scares off birds.
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Owl Decoys – Place plastic owl decoys in your garden to frighten small birds. Move occasionally so birds don’t catch on.
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Prickly Branches – Lay thorny branches like bougainvillea, holly, brambles or rose clipprings on the ground around plants.
Provide Alternate Food Sources
You can also distract birds away from your sage by offering them alternative food sources:
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Bird Feeders – Put up bird feeders full of seeds far away from your garden to lure birds there instead.
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Bird Baths – Provide a water source like a bird bath to satisfy thirsty birds.
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Fruiting Trees – Plant trees or bushes that produce berries and fruit to feed the birds.
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Cover Crops – Sow edible cover crops like millet, buckwheat and oats in unused garden space for the birds to forage.
Plant in Sunnier Spots
By planting your sage in very sunny locations, you can discourage birds that prefer shadier areas like thrushes and towhees from hanging around your plants.
Prune Flowering Varieties
For ornamental sages like salvia microphylla, regularly pruning back flowers once they fade can help prevent birds from taking notice. Remove flowers before they set seed.
Monitor Frequently
Keep a close eye on your sage for signs of bird damage and use multiple deterrents simultaneously for best results. Persistence and adaptability are key in outsmarting clever birds!
With a bit of creativity and effort, you can enjoy a thriving sage plant that is largely left alone by feathered pests. Using physical barriers and natural repellents deters birds, while offering them alternate food sources creates a garden environment where your sage can grow in peace.
Is the fledgling healthy?
Healthy fledglings can stand upright and will tuck their wings tightly against their bodies. If you find a fledgling on the ground, answer the questions below. If the answer to any of these questions is yes, proceed to How to Save Orphaned or Injured Birds below.
- Are there bloody wounds, wet feathers, legs that aren’t bearing weight, drooping wings, or matted or highly ruffled feathers?
- Is the bird lying on his or her side or back or scooting along the ground on his or her stomach?
- Is the bird’s body or head tilting to one side? Is there blood around the nostrils?
- Is the bird cold to the touch and/or noticeably shivering?
- Is the bird in the wide open, nowhere near trees or bushes?
- Are other animals, such as dogs or cats, stalking the bird?
Is the bird a nestling or a fledgling?
Nestlings have few or no feathers, and if found on the ground, they need your help. These baby birds are too young to leave the nest and are unable to fly. If you’ve found an uninjured baby bird, please proceed to How to Save Uninjured Nestlings below.
Fledglings are juvenile birds who have a mix of fuzzy down and adult feathers and are learning to fly. You may come across them hopping along on the ground, perching on low-hanging branches, or hiding under bushes, but as long as they’re healthy, just let them be.
Note: Fledglings are often “rescued” from their natural environment when they don’t need to be.
8 Ways to Keep Birds Out of the Garden
How big does baby sage grow?
Baby sage (Salvia microphylla) is a shrub that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Baby sage (Salvia microphylla). This plant is commonly known as baby sage. This is a evergreen plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
How do you grow baby sage (Salvia microphylla)?
Regarding drainage, Salvia microphylla likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils. Baby sage (Salvia microphylla) should be grown in full sun places. Cultivation profiles – Growing Baby sage (Salvia microphylla) – Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What type of soil does baby sage grow in?
Baby sage (Salvia microphylla) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in chalk, loam or sand. The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline. The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals.
What is baby sage used for?
Baby sage has been used in folk medicine as a treatment for fever and coughs. Research has demonstrated the antioxidant activity of the essential oil from Salvia microphylla and its neuroprotective effects. Baby sage leaves have a blackcurrant fragrance and are used to prepare herbal tea.