Felix, Berthold, and Felix II are the names I gave the three baby birds that I’ve attempted to save at different points in my life. I tried to take care of each until he or she was able to fly. All three died under my care. Needless to say, each experience left me mildly traumatized.

In an attempt to prevent the same thing from happening to other people and other birds, I decided to find out what, exactly, I had done wrong. I talked to the New York Wild Bird Fund, the National Audubon Society, and naturalist and author Leslie Day and gained invaluable insight into what one should actually do upon finding a baby bird out of its nest. Watch the video above for their expert advice.