Baby bird what to do...

[kasey08]

Well I just read that it was against the law for me to raise it. There is a wildlife rehabilitation facility about an hour away. If it lives through the night I will bring it there. Even though we are very low on money. I just cant do nothing and let it die.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Feeding babies is actually pretty easy. I've raised about 20 babies over the years on hard dog food soaked in water. Real easy to feed once the baby opens its mouth for you. Stay away from feeding worms. You can give the baby parasites and it just doesn't have enough in it to keep the baby healthy.

It doesn't look like a starling to me, but I'm not sure exactly what it might be. It can be difficult to tell at this stage.

I would stay away from a heat lamp as you can burn the baby really easily. Instead, use an electric hot pad under the box or container.

If you can find a wildlife rehabber this would be your best bet. Raising a single baby will cause it to become attached to you and will make releasing it very difficult. If you can find another nest with babies the same age then just stick it in there. The parents will raise it even if it is not their own.

 

[equine623]

OK, best thing is call a rehabber.

If you can find the nest, put it back. Birds will NOT reject the young because they have been handled.

Mockingbirds have black beaks, not yellow so no, that's not what it is. Could be starling, the wide yellow beak is typical of them.

They are not protected by the migratory bird act, IF it is a starling, so technically keeping it is not illegal. However unless you are prepared for every half hour to hour feedings from dawn to dusk, better to find a rehabber.


PLEASE DO NOT FEED IT WORMS! That is a myth, it will usually infect the bird with a parasite called gape worm and will make them sick and can cause death. If you can't get hold of a rehabber locally, PM me and I'll help you with what and how to feed. AND NO WATER at this point, either in a dish or by syringe - too easy to kill them with aspiration.

 

[kasey08]

Thanks for the info.

 

[mother o' chicks72]

ok, i'm sorry for the false info, i just assumed worms were ok because that's what the mom birds feed their young. yes, take it to the rehabber. Also i watched a documentary on bluebirds and it said they would reject babies after they were handled, i just thought it might apply. again, i'm sorry and please don't hate on me!

 

[punk-a-doodle]

When you take the little fellow in, if you could ask them the species and let us know, that'd be great! I was thinking something icterid, like a grackle:
http://www.eastvalleywildlife.org/_images/grackleNestlingGrackle.jpg
but, the bill color isn't yellow enough. Just, the wing stripes made me think of that.

 

[kasey08]

Lol. It is ok You tried to help

 

[kasey08]

His head looks different. It is longer.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

Aye, it's not (the bill is not yellow enough either), but I wonder if it is in the same family. Definitely a passerine, curious if they can tell you what kind.

 

[kasey08]

Yeah me too. He does have black legs.... If that helps.