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Songbird Orphans Paul Welch, DVM With the arrival of spring comes the arrival of baby songbirds. They are born with their eyes closed and without feathers. When babies are discovered on the ground, it is usually due to one of several reasons: 1. The nest has fallen or been destroyed. 2. The babies have fallen or been pushed from the nest. 3. The birds are on the ground because they are learning to fly. What is a nestling ? Until a baby bird is about 3 weeks old, it is considered to be a nestling. These birds have very few or no feathers at this age and their eyes are closed. They can not fly and are very dependent on their parents for food. If the baby can be placed back in the nest then this is the best option. It is an old wives tale that a parent won't accept the baby if a human has touched it. If the nest has fallen from the tree, try to wedge it back among the branches. If the nest has been destroyed, make a nest out of a small basket or disposable plastic bowl (punch many holes in the bowl for adequate water drainage) and attach it to the tree or shrub. The parents will take care of the baby in most cases and the bird has a much better chance of surviving with the parents than in a foster situation. If, however, the parents do not return, then you have an orphan. What is a fledgling? A fledgling is a young bird who has developed feathers and is in the process of leaving the nest. These birds are often seen either balancing on the edge of the nest or playing on the branches near the nest. Often during flying lessons with the parents, they end up on the ground. This is not a problem and the parents will continue the lessons down there, as well as feed and protect them. If this is the case, don't "rescue" them, they are just fine. It is a good idea, however, to keep dogs and cats inside. What to do if you have an orphan baby housing Make a nest from a plastic berry basket, bowl or small box. Line it up with tissue paper using enough to support the baby. As the tissue becomes soiled, just replace it. Keep the baby warm and out of drafts. The berry basket can be placed inside a larger cardboard box with a heating pad on low under the larger box. A towel can be placed over the box to provide warmth, quiet and a secure environment. As feathers develop, the heating pad can be dispensed with. Feeding The most convenient diet for babies is dry dog food. Hills prescription diet canine k/d works best. Soak the kibble in water to make it soft. Additional water is not necessary since they will get all the moisture needed from the food. When the box is bumped or the baby is disturbed, it will instinctively "gape" or open its mouth and stretch its neck for food. You can get a small piece of food with tweezers and place it in the baby's mouth. When it has had enough, it will stop gaping. Birds should be fed as needed from dawn until dusk (or about 7am to 7pm). Newborn babies eat about every half hour to hour and older birds can go several hours between feedings. As a nestling becomes a fledgling, branch perches can be placed in the box. Also, you can start varying the diet to include insects or mealworms. As the birds mature, they must be weaned so that they will forage for themselves. As babies, they are used to gaping and having food placed in their mouth. They must learn to eat off the ground in the wild. Instead of placing the food into their mouths, hold the food barely out of reach with the tweezers, drop the food right before they grab it so they see it fall onto the floor of the box or cage. Eventually, they should learn that the food on the floor is the same as in the tweezers. Do this with the dog food as well as mealworms. Seed can be mixed with the dog food to slowly wean them to seed. Mealworms are important because they teach the fledgling to catch live food. As the bird matures, try varying the diet to include small pieces of fruit (berries, apples, grapes, etc.), bread crumbs, cereal, etc. Flying Lessons As the baby develops feathers and starts hopping around the box, it is time for flying lessons. Hold the bird in your hand and lower your hand quickly to cause it to flap it's wings. Eventually, after several days, you can let the bird flutter to the floor. Flying lessons allow the fledgling to strengthen its chest muscles as well as learn to land properly. The Mature Fledgling At about 4-6 weeks of age, the fledgling should be fluttering around the box and be undergoing flying lessons. You can provide free choice food and water in jar lids. You should take the bird outside often to introduce it to "the great outdoors". Time To Go Checklist:
Leave food and maybe the cage at the release site for several days after releasing. Monitor the release site for several days to make sure the bird has successfully re-entered the wild and is not loitering around the cage. |
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