What to feed a swallow?

Question

My family found a baby bird- it's a swallow. We fed it some birdseed, but it's not eating it. Any better suggestions, please?

Answer 1

Yes, I just got finished nursing one from a baby (no feathers..eyes barely open!), to a full grown bird and just released it on Sunday. I fed mine ground up worms mixed with a little water in a dropper. Then I would give it a 1/2 dropper full of water. Soon afterwords it will need to "go", so be for warned. Mine made it just fine. You will need to feed it about every hour and a half to two hours. They sleep all through the night (even though they make that little peeping noise). Also, you will need to keep it warm! Good luck!

Answer 2

Baby birds cannot digest bird seed and most birds eat bugs not seeds. Please call a wild life rehab person. In most areas you can find one, if not, call the nearest zoo and speak to someone there. If you feed him seed he will die very quickly. He also needs to be kept warm. Babies eat the predigested foods that their parents make for them. Here's another idea, call one of the pet centers such as Pet Smart or Pet co and see if they have any baby bird food or call a vet who also specializes in birds. Get going you don't have long.

Answer 3

Swallows are insect-eaters. Not all birds eat seeds and not all eat worms. If you type into your search engine: "Wildlife rehabilitators" and the name of your county and state you are likely to find some good people who can help you out. I have taken an injured cedar waxwing and an orphaned baby squirrel to local rehabilitators. In my state they are volunteers and are licensed - they love animals and are quick to respond to inquiries. Hope the bird makes it. Nice of you to want to help.

Answer 4

I heard that's better to leave them alone. The mother-bird is usually around. I think it has very slim chances of survival. You could try giving it ,insects (worms,flies,etc. ) like the parents birds do. Good luck!

Answer 5

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 for info on how to care.
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.

Answer 6

if it is feathered it has probably already fledged from the nest and the parents are caring for it. They hop around on the ground for a while before they can fly. If it is not feathered and fell from the nest the parents may still be caring for it if they realized it fell. Watch to see if parents are around and let them take over if they are.

Answer 7

ground fishing worms with a syringe, no needle. add in a few small bugs, or small amounts of beef ground up really well . in a blender.

Answer 8

Spit.