URGENT! URGENT! Found a baby bird on the ground, in the heat.

[Sgsf]

This baby (if it is a baby) bird is about the size of a humming bird. I found it outside, brought it in, layed down a towel in a box, added some water and bread. She/he only has feathers on her head and partly her wings. Mainly the larger feathers. She has absolutely no feathers on her back or legs.

What can I do?

 

[allieloveschickens]

Is there a local wildlife rescue/wild bird rescue in your area that you can contact? Often they can take in and care for baby birds depending on their condition. Good luck!

 

[Sgsf]

No, not that I know of.

 

[janetk]

i raised 2 sparrows when they fell out of a tree. they were about 2 days old when i got them. they got canned ground cat food. i placed it on the end of a small paint brush-not the brush end-(a brush like you'd get with childrens watercolors.) if his eyes are open he'll see you coming and open his mouth. you'll have to put the food sort of down his throat and he should swallow it. if his eyes aren't open, they can see shadows and may open, or tap the end of the beek with the brush. you might need to sit the box on a heating pad on low to keep him warm. let me know if you have any questions and good luck!

 

[Sgsf]

Should I leave it outside, by our door? It's 76-78 degrees in our house, and 101 outside. Does it need the heat?

 

[Penturner]

Wild birds are much stronger than Chickens and such. they can withstand a wide range of temperatures. Home temps should be fine if you do some simple things to protect it and allow it to stay warm. basically make it a nest of paper towels or other soft paper. food is more important. right now they do not drink water they get that from their food so it must be a large percentage of water in the food. do not feed them any meat that has fat in it. the oil is very bad for birds. but lean meats and cat foods are good. basically spoon feed the cat food to the bird they will get it figured out. they need to eat often, every two hours around the cock in the first few days. but you can get them to a day and night schedule after about a week or so. If it is alive and looking fairly normal right now, food is your main concern. Bread is not good, it fills them up but does not have anywhere near the nutritional value the bird needs.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

If you want the mother to take it back (in case it fell out of the nest, and wasn't pushed) use a margarine container, or other such sized container, put a kleenex in the container so it isn't slippery, and nail it, or otherwise attach it as high up in the tree it fell out of (or as close as you can guess). The mother will come back for it if you stay away. Put it up high enough to protect it from cats, etc. If she doesn't come back, then you can bring it inside and try to rehab it. It will have the best chance for a "normal" life if you get it back with it's mother. PS -it's an old wives tale that says that a bird won't take back a baby once a human has touched it.

eta: if you post your location, someone here may know of a licensed wildlife rehabber in your area, or a bird sanctuary that would take it in. Where I live, it is actually illegal to rehad wildlife without a license...

 

[Sgsf]

Would smoked ham be good? It's easy for the bird.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Quote:
No, too salty. Canned cat food is best. Also, any idea what kind of bird it might be? It would make a difference if it's a bug eater vs. a seed eater...

 

[Sgsf]

Not too sure. I'll try and get a picture, hang on.