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.

Shon Arieh-Lerer is a Slate freelance production associate and a member of the comedy group His Majesty, the Baby.

Anne Marie Lindemann is a former associate producer and editor for Slate Video.

To watch the video associated with this story, please click here.

-By Shon Arieh-Lerer and Anne Marie Lindemann at Slate.com