There is a bird nest on a tree and there are little baby birds but the mother hasnt comein like a week?

Question

i want to give them food but i dont know if i should just put it in the nest or feed it to them or give them worms or buy bird food but they are wild birds i just dontknow wat type of bird it is its kinda grayish blackish

Answer 1

If they have been there a week they would be dead by now or close to it. Are you sure she hasn't been back? She has to look for food, and when they come back to feed the babies they are fast at feeding and then they leave to look for more food. Don't feed them anything, you may cause more harm then good. I am sure the parents are caring for them and you just haven't seen them when they have been there.


Sapphyre
Certified Avian Specialist
http://www.borrowed-rainbow.com
join our group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BorrowedRainbowAviary/

Answer 2

Without knowing your location, I cannot know for sure that where you are is as hot as it is where I am. If the mother left even two days ago, and the babies had no food, they would likely be dead already. As other stated, you may not see the mother bird as she comes and goes. Some mother birds do not stay in the nest once the eggs hatch. They watch over their brood from a higher branch, or from another tree. If you have ever seen a tiny bird chasing a black bird, that was a mother bird chasing away a bird that wanted to turn her babies into their next meal.

My advice is to forget the birds are there, or watch them from a distance. The more time you spend near the nest, the more time the mother bird stays away from the nest.


Hope that helps!

Will D
Enterprise AL

Answer 3

I want to say that the most ridiculous theory is that birds will abandon their babies or eggs because they have human scent on them. Let me point out, as a bird breeder and rehabber, that birds don't have avid scent. They rely on their vision and hearing. If they hear and see their babies, they will feed them. That's why a bird will hatch and feed any egg or baby put into their nest, even if the baby or egg came from a different bird. Many people take birds and eggs because they think if they put them back the mother will just abandon them. They take the birds or eggs home, and instead of doing research or just taking them to a rehabber (or even better, putting them back in the nest), they give them water and seeds and watch the baby both choke, drown, develop severe aspiration pneumonia and starve to death. It's important to throroughly research proper care before even attempting to "save" an "abandoned" baby bird, or hatch an egg. For instance, songbirds cannot be fed liquids or very liquidy food directly - the food has to be in a thick, cookie-dough type of mush. Also, you cannot feed worms to birds, as worms carry bacteria and parasites that are potentially fatal to birds. Worm-eating birds (such as robins) can instinctually determine the quality of worm. They will not eat any worm. Sparrows and other birds do not eat worms. It's fatal to feed your baby bird anything that is alive - especially grubs or caterpillars - as they have been known to actually chew through the baby's crop and almost immediately kill it.

Birds breathe through a hole located near their tongue area. It's not wise to put any liquid or even thick formula or food near their tongue. The best way to feed a baby is to feed it directly into their crop or by sticking something down their throat, to assure that the food is going into the stomach or crop.

As for babies left alone for a week - they are dead if that is so. Long dead. Baby birds grow immensely in one week, and need to be fed every 15-30 minutes (pigeons and doves are the only exception to this rule; needing to be fed at first every 2 hours or so). If they ARE alive and you are worried about the mother having abandoned them recently, I'd suggest either taking them to a certified avian rehabilitator... Or just going out and buying a commercial baby bird hand feeding formula, such as Kaytee Exact. This can be found at a pet store. A thin syringe is also a must. To feed, make a thick but moist and slurry mix of the formula, let cool to about 102 degrees fahrenheit (use a thermometer to check) and then fill up the syringe and stick the syringe DOWN THE BABY'S THROAT. NOT in the mouth. There should be no food in the mouth during feeding. This can cause aspiration.

If you have any questions, email me at [e-mail]

Answer 4

well my grandmother had the same problem the only thing about wild birds is that when they have a nest with a baby bird they do not want other people around the nest so just keep your kids away if you have any and just leave it alone just make sure ther eis no cats in your backyard because the cat will eat it so just watch out for cats!!!!!!!!! p.s do not forget do not even go around the nest! well if the mother bird or the father won't come back like in about 2 days take the baby bird out and go to a pet store and ask a worker there to get you the baby bird food!! and tell the story to them!!!

Answer 5

I doubt the baby bird would live more than a day or two without the mother. If the baby is alive, then the mother has been feeding it. If so, the WORST thing you could do is interfere. What the mother can give it is better than anything you can get in a store.

BTW, to the one who says to give it "bird food, I guess" That's the kind of answer that does more harm than good. Please, If you don't know, either say so, or don't answer. Baby birds do NOT eat common bird food!

Answer 6

#1 -- are you observing this nest 24/7? If not, you don't really know. Also, baby birds (non-fledgling) wouldn't survive a week without nourishment and fluids. If you are, you may actually be scaring off the parent bird(s).

#2 -- have you called your local Humane Society? They usually have a "Wren" society which is made up of people who specialize in fostering orphaned and injured birds.

P.S. It's an old wives tale about birds not returning to a nest after a human touches it. They do return.

Answer 7

Don't mess with the baby birds, please. If the birds are still alive, then the mother bird is coming to care for them, as she will do until they are ready to leave the nest. If they are kicked out of the nest before they are able to fly, then you can wrap them in a light cloth and take them to an animal shelter (or call animal control to come get them.)

Answer 8

Find out if there is a Nature Reserve Center in Your Community... if the Mother doesn't come back by tomorrow, take the Nest and All to the Nature Center for Care.

Answer 9

Well someone must be feeding it, otherwise they would be dead. So don't worry the mother of father must be coming back some time when you're not looking. But there is really nothing you can do. But if one of them falls to the ground you can order formula for birds from fosters and smith catalog. Good luck with the birdies!!

Answer 10

well I would guess if the babies are still alive then te mother does show up. Probably at night when no one is around. Best bet leave them there. Otherwise....If you really feel the need they have baby bird bottle type things at your local pet stores. Go in to one and see what they think. They might have better advice for you!