raising a starling

[Lazy Farmer]

 

[artsyrobin]

starling talk is good, if you are on fb there is a starling group too. The nippy stuff, and crazy stuff is normal - they are like the terrible twos and will outgrow it

 

[TwoSunSunset]

I have a Starling the same age and he behaves the same way. After he put a little hole in my pupil and gave me a nose bleed I started being very conscientious about training him away from the face. If you ever feel you want to send him to another home, I’m looking for a friend for mine. I live in Utah and would happily pay shipping.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Good luck with the starling. Would you consider just releasing him once he is able to fend for himself? Have you ever read about Canuck?
https://www.facebook.com/thecrowandI/

 

[TwoSunSunset]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Good luck with the starling. Would you consider just releasing him once he is able to fend for himself? Have you ever read about Canuck?
https://www.facebook.com/thecrowandI/

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal community! Best of luck!

 

[TwoSunSunset]

I don’t think he would survive if I released him as he was rescued from a dog attack before he should have even been out of a nest. From what I’ve read (and seen), he wouldn’t have the natural instincts to know that people, cats, and dogs are not your best friends in the wild. Also I recently read that he wouldn’t know how to hunt with a flock if he was accepted into one. This may be true for other orphaned Starlings, so I’m hoping to save another as many consider them pests.

 

[DobieLover]

I don’t think he would survive if I released him as he was rescued from a dog attack before he should have even been out of a nest. From what I’ve read, he wouldn’t have the natural instincts to know that people, cats, and dogs are not your best friends in the wild. Also I recently read that he wouldn’t know how to hunt with a flock if he was accepted into one. This may be true for other orphaned Starlings, so I’m hoping to save another as many consider them pests.

They actually can be released. It is best to do it near where they were found after they are flying and eating on their own. And it should be done early.
I used Canuck as an example as this bird enjoys his freedom, has found a mate and still comes back to visit the man who raised him. He brings his mate with him. I was just offering another option.

 

[TwoSunSunset]

They actually can be released. It is best to do it near where they were found after they are flying and eating on their own. And it should be done early.
I used Canuck as an example as this bird enjoys his freedom, has found a mate and still comes back to visit the man who raised him. He brings his mate with him. I was just offering another option.

I was just watching a bit on YouTube. I have been taking him for walks (in a cage)and car rides (he loves them) - so maybe it’s possible? As much as I love him, I would love to see him free and surviving but dread the thought of him not surviving as he’s pretty content in our family. He’s out of his cage and has a run of the house except for when I’m working. My husband is even going to start taking him to work (in a larger cage or if we can train him to come to us outside) once it’s warmer. I’m not near where he was rescued, he’s eating on his own. I do like your thoughts as a fully caged bird makes me sad, but in this case he’s family and I’m just hoping to find him another winged kin for when he is in the cage.

 

[sourland]

If released with no flock and no instincts for self preservation, I feel that he would soon become food for a Cooper's hawk. A gradual transition via an outdoor aviary might be a safer way for the bird.