I found a baby bird that has fallen from his nest. The nest is far out of my reach. As a matter of fact even with a tall ladder I would be unable to reach it. It's been at least 2 hours since I first found him. I used a syringe to give him some declorinated water. I am about to try giving him some food I mashed up containing only declorinated water and some freeze dried bloodworms (betta fish food). The mother bird is close by and very attentive. I'm afraid if I leave him there the cats that live there may find him. But if I take him does he have any chance of making it??? He still has about 1/2 baby fluff and he is starting to develop feathers.
2006-07-03 09:44:57 · 10 answers · asked by The Dragon Maya 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
1) put out some nice warm raw chicken for the cats. I know I know.. I'm sorry.. put it out for the owners.. they're the problem.
anyway.,
2) People raise birds by hand feeding them all the time. There's no reason why you couldn't be it's new mommy. (other than for local laws and whatnot.. like they're going to come after you for saving a birds life?) Only problem is that it may become domesticated. I would suggest getting hold of a local bird breeder though. I don't think worms are the best 24/7 solution. Also.. not sure if you know about hand feeding, but you need to keep his lil' belly full and when you feed it, it's important to get the food down the right tube.. formula should be warm.. but not too hot.. test with wrist. When I was a kid we raised birds on baby gerber food formula. Not sure if that's still common these days or not. Gotta be careful though.. Usually hand feeding is not for the inexperienced. We also kept the baby birds warm in an aquarium with a heat lamp.
If you try to release it, .. I would imagine it would do it's own thing.. I've never done that. They've always been adult birds that we brought in. When people suggest putting the bird in a safe place like a bush.. I'm sorry.. but where I live.. a cat would have that bird in seconds. Freaking cats are everywhere. But whatever you do, hand feed and let go., or hand feed and keep, it is a better life than being cat food!
Talk to the local vet. and the local bird breeder.
2006-07-03 09:51:33 · answer #1 · answered by game buddee 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
From a website:
"SHOULD YOU KEEP A BIRD YOU FIND?
A young bird found on the ground may be a nestling-not fully feathered and not strong enough to hop around; or a fledgling--fully feathered and able to hop around and flap its wings. If a nestling appears healthy and vigorous, return it to the nest, if possible; usually the parent will care for the bird even if it has been handled by humans. If the nest can't be reached or the bird appears weak and lifeless, you may have to keep it and raise it; if the bird is injured or in very poor condition, it won't be able to compete with its nest mates if you put it back in the nest.
At the ned the best option is to place it out and keep pets away and let the mother take care of it.
A healthy fledgling may not be a abandoned baby--it may have left the nest and still be in the care of its parents. It should be placed in a bush or tree near the place it was found. Prevent cats and dogs from bothering it and the parent will probably come to its rescue. Don't remove the bird from the site unless you are sure it is lost or abandoned and can't take care of itself. Since it is illegal to capture a wild bird, injured or not, a special permit must be obtained from a state or federal game warden in order to keep a young bird. These permits are issued only on the condition that the bird will be properly released as soon as it is able. Do not plan to keep a wild bird as a pet!"
2006-07-03 16:51:37 · answer #2 · answered by silver wings 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the most common answer from vets/professionals may be leave it alone.
Yes, the parents may continue to care for it on the ground... THEY OFTEN DO, even if the baby is no longer "in the nest"... however, if local cats etc. are an immediate threat, you can decide if you want to intervene and keep the bird. He does stand a chance of making it, but birds are tough, even if you do all the right things. Do you know what kind of bird it is? That is important for what to feed it.
You take a chance on its survival either way, leave it to nature or do your best, its great that you care enough to try! Good luck!
2006-07-03 16:55:39 · answer #3 · answered by Amy W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is a blue bird it can be put back in it's nest if you can find a way.Blue birds have no sense of smell so will care for their young after being handled by a human, if it's not call your local wild bird center for info on available food that they sell. If you don't have the time or inclination to care for the fledgling they can get you in touch w/ a wildlife rescue source in your area. This consists of private individuals that donate their time to help injured or young wildlife until they're able to fend for themselves. Otherwise w/ plenty of diligence the fledgling will survive if fed enough and has enough moisture. With a dropper or syringe you need to do it slow though, because he can get moisture in his lungs and you don't want that.....Note: If you do leave it alone,obviously it can't get back in the nest and it will die......
2006-07-03 17:01:33 · answer #4 · answered by jess 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
once the baby has left the nest the mother won't touch it anymore. he does have a chance of making it however. call a vet and they might be able to give you some kind of formula that you could feed the bird. do that asap.
2006-07-03 16:48:24 · answer #5 · answered by jenniferscott1974 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a 24 hour period to place the little bird back into the nest.
Locate a wildlife rescue & rehab center near you and take the little one there.
2006-07-03 18:07:13 · answer #6 · answered by Brokenwing 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These sites explain all about what to do for orphan and injured birds -
http://www.crowsystems.com/rehab/babybird.html - this is an excellent article - be sure to read down the entire page!
http://www.stokesbirdsathome.com/q&a/archive/qa108.html
http://besgroup.blogspot.com/2006/02/what-happened-when-nestling-fell-out.html
http://www.projectwildlife.org/find-babysongbirds.htm
And this Yahoo Best Answer too -
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=1006050608886
I've got a lot of links to wildlife carers from a lot of countries on my site, at
http://au.geocities.com/leaswebsite/links under "Wildlife Assistance" - just click on them all, click on your country and state, have a browse, 'phone them and ask their advice.
Very very best of luck.
2006-07-04 03:45:56 · answer #7 · answered by Lea 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stay in contact with your local Health Department. Call the Vets office now.
2006-07-03 16:49:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would leave it alone and see what happens in the next hour,
hope the bird lives!
2006-07-03 16:48:07 · answer #9 · answered by luckeefoot47 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Survival of the fittest - let the cats have him.
2006-07-03 18:05:10 · answer #10 · answered by L3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋