how do you take care of a baby bird, w/out its eyes being open yet, and it possibly being a woodpecker?

Question

not many feathers, eyes not open, can see inside stomach, head is too heavy for it's neck, can't walk, don't know if it's male or female, needs help, found in backyard under mequite tree limbs, alone, no nest in tree or surrounding areas.

Answer 1

I would call an animal wildlife group, or a local vet or shelter. In the meantime, definitely remember to keep it warm under a heat lamp. Baby birds need constant feeding so I would use a syringe filled with baby formula or cooked grains of rice mixed with water.

Answer 2

Its best chance for survival is if you take it to a wildlife rehab clinic. This site http://www.wildlife-international.org/EN/public/emergency/emergencyrehab.html can help you find one near you.

In the meantime, put tissues in a small tub, like a nest, and put that in a larger cage. Put the bird in the "nest" in a quiet place where it won't be disturbed much. If you have a heating pad, put it underneath the cage on low, since the baby needs to be kept warm. (Make sure it's not high enough that it could burn. Remember, the baby has very sensitive skin.)

If it will be more than a few hours until you can take it to a rehab center, you can try feeding it. First: Do not give it water. Babies that young don't drink, they get water from the food they eat. Don't give it oatmeal, dry or wet, or bread soaked in milk or water (these seem to be common things for people to try, but they aren't good for the baby).

You can make up a dog/catfood mash to feed it. Soak dry cat or dogfood in water until it becomes mushy. Mix it with hard boiled egg yolk and babyfood or applesauce. This can be fed with a syringe (minus the needle, of course), or blunt tweezers.

When feeding, you have to be careful not to choke it. When it opens its mouth, you should see a hole in the back of the tongue- this leads to the trachea and lungs. Make sure that it doesn't get covered with food, or it may choke. Give it small bites, with time to swallow in between.

It should let you know when it's hungry, by peeping and gaping (opening its mouth and trying to stretch its head up toward the food). It will need to eat every 30 minutes to hour during the day.

Babies this young are very hard to care for (I had one die on me on Wednesday), and you should really take it to a rehab clinic. They'll know what to do to give it the best chance. Good luck.

Answer 3

If it is a woodpecker..look for a cavity in the tree, as woodpeckers are cavity nesters. Sounds like it is too little to survive even if the parents were caring for it on the ground, it would get much too cold and die. Best thing to do it to get it to a rehab, they can indentify the bird species and they will know the right diet and care for it.

Answer 4

We have a wildlife sanctuary in my area. I would take a bird there as they know what is best for it.

If such a sanctuary is not available in your immediate area you might be able to reach one by phone for some advice or a vet of course. Some vets only treat birds or have a great fondness for them. Your going to have to do a lot of searching around.

Answer 5

Well, I have parrots and babies are hand-fed with baby bird formula and a syringe.
Or... try soaking small pieces of bread in water and see if it can eat.
Don't expect much... it probably fell out of the tree

Answer 6

It is probably too young to survive regardless of your assistance. I would call a local bird sanctuary and see if they can assist you by taking it in.

Answer 7

you shouldnt just pick a baby bird from the ground. the mother was probably around to take care of it. it will probably die now

Answer 8

just blend some food and kinda pour it in its mouth i guess?!