Feeding Wild Birds

[CCsGarden]

Yesterday I noticed a tiny fledgling Laughing dove begging for food from the adult Laughing doves that were eating seeds that I had put out for them on the ground. I also noticed that none of the adults gave the little one any attention. I left them alone and went about my business indoors, thinking that the parents should be around somewhere. At about 4 o'clock in the afternoon I went to check and the little thing was still begging and looking a bit pathetic, so I caught it to find that its crop was empty. Yes, you probably guess it, I am now looking after it, as it will definitely become cat food if I had left it outside.

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"Good morning little one."

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Enjoying some sunlight.

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Me and the Laughing dove chick.

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@CCsGarden, I think you may appreciate this post.

Yes! So happy too you caring for this little one! Do you need any help? DOn't give it water. Baby birds, like those, don't drink water, only the crop milk from their mommy You can also buy the crop milk powder. I have a link or maybe a pet store.

 

[Gill-b]

You can also buy the crop milk powder

We have a breakfast cereal in South Africa which has been around for many many years, ever since I can remember. I have been very successfully raising doves and pigeons on this breakfast cereal for over four decades. I do know about the crop milk powder and have thought about trying it if I ever find it available somewhere here, however this particular breafast cereal is, I am willing to bet, available in every grocery store in South Africa and it works just fine on rescued baby birds that have at least been fed by their parents for a few days.
I grew up eating this cereal for breakfast, only then it was mixed with milk for myself, whereas with the birds I mix it with a bit of warm water.

Birds that are insectivores is a whole different story!
...and penguins.

 

[CCsGarden]

We have a breakfast cereal in South Africa that is called ProNutro. It had been around for many many years, ever since I can remember. I have been very successfully raising doves and pigeons on ProNutro for over four decades. I do know about the crop milk powder and have thought about trying it if I ever find it available somewhere here, however ProNutro is, I am willing to bet, available in every grocery store in South Africa and it works just fine on rescued baby birds that have at least been fed by their parents for a few days. I grew up eating ProNutro for breakfast, only I mixed it then with milk for myself, whereas with the birds I mix it with a bit of warm water.

Birds that I have rescued that are insectivores is a whole different story!
...and penguins.

[Added edit: here is a BYC link to a little story about two of my insectivore rescues... Wagtails ]

Oh, okay! I didn't realize you had raised birds before! Great job! YAY!!!

 

[ValerieJ]

We have a breakfast cereal in South Africa that is called ProNutro. It had been around for many many years, ever since I can remember. I have been very successfully raising doves and pigeons on ProNutro for over four decades. I do know about the crop milk powder and have thought about trying it if I ever find it available somewhere here, however ProNutro is, I am willing to bet, available in every grocery store in South Africa and it works just fine on rescued baby birds that have at least been fed by their parents for a few days. I grew up eating ProNutro for breakfast, only I mixed it then with milk for myself, whereas with the birds I mix it with a bit of warm water.

Birds that I have rescued that are insectivores is a whole different story!
...and penguins.

[Added edit: here is a BYC link to a little story about two of my insectivore rescues... Wagtails ]

I'm also very excited to hear you are raising the little bird. What a great lover of the birds you are!!! And you have the experience to know this little one will survive and thrive out in the wild.

 

[Gill-b]

I'm also very excited to hear you are raising the little bird. What a great lover of the birds you are!!! And you have the experience to know this little one will survive and thrive out in the wild.

Busy feeding the little one at the moment. It is so sweet. It learnt very quickly, quicker than most, when the food is coming. It opens its beak no problem; wings flap; and down the food goes. Love it.

 

[CatInTheHenHouse]

Had a Northern Flicker come visit my feeder the other day! I hadn’t seen him in ages.

 

[R2elk]

White-crowned Sparrow

Juvenile White-crowned Sparrow

Juvenile male Red-winged Blackbird

Downy Woodpecker

 

[R2elk]

 

[Molpet]

Is this the only one left?

 

[R2elk]

Is this the only one left?

No there are 3 hens remaining. They have moved in.