Birdy Rehab 101

Congratulations! You've decided to give mother nature a hand. First things, first. Make sure you're prepared. 

Nestlings:
Small cage or box
Circular object lined with a soft cloth or shredded tissue
Desk Lamp with 40-60watt bulb (not energy-saver bulbs) or heating pad
Eye dropper
Kaytee Exact Hand-feeding Bird Feed
Dark towel for cage covering

Heat is very important for nestlings. I repeat, heat is very important for nestlings. Until your bird has adequate feather coverings be sure to keep them warm. However, keep them out of direct sunlight. Use only one of the external heating elements - the desk lamp or the heating pad, on it's lowest setting. If you use the heating pad, place is underneath the box or cage. You don't want to overheat your baby. Place your baby bird in your makeshift nest, most birds will take to it without any trouble. Change the bedding when it becomes damp or heavily soiled.

Nestlings have different eating schedules depending on their age. Unfeathered birds with closed eyes will need to be fed every 20-30 minutes. Once their feathers being to come through the birds will need to eat every 45-60 minutes from sun up to sun down, as they get older the time between feedings will gradually increase. You can determine feeding times by crop observation and the bird's reaction to attempted feedings. If it opens up it's mouth, it's hungry. As you feed your bird, you may notice a lump or bubble forming on the right side of his neck. This is the bird’s crop. It stores food so it can be slowly passed on to the stomach. The crop is very noticeable at this age. If the crop is empty, it's feeding time. Do not attempt to give these birds water. Water is in the bird feed mix and is sufficient at this age. Do not attempt to give your bird milk or dairy products. If you are keeping your bird in a cage, after it's last feeding at dusk, cover the cage with a dark towel. Their next feeding will be in the morning, preferably before 8am.

If you do not have bird feed available, you can soak dog food or cat food in water until it becomes soft. Break into small pieces and offer as food. At your earliest convenience get the bird feed that can be found at most pet stores. It has a good array of nutrients that baby birds require to thrive.

Fledglings:
Small cage
Circular object lined with a soft cloth or shredded tissue
Perch
Desk Lamp with 40-60watt bulb (not energy-saver bulbs) or heating pad
Eye dropper
Kaytee Exact Hand-feeding Bird Feed
Dark towel for cage covering
Bird seed
Fruit(some species)

Since these birds are fully feathered, external heating is usually not necessary. On occasion it may be useful if you are keeping your bird in cooler temperatures or if your bird was found in shock. Should you need to, use only one of the external heating elements - the desk lamp or the heating pad, on it's lowest setting. If you use the heating pad, place is underneath the cage. At this age, some fledglings will stay in their nest while others prefer to perch on the edges. Once your bird abandons the nest, you should remove it from the area and offer a perch.

Fledglings will usually need to be fed every 2-3 hours. You can determine feeding times by crop observation and attempted feedings. If it opens up it's mouth, it's hungry. As you feed your bird, you may notice a lump or bubble forming on the right side of his neck. This is the bird’s crop. It stores food so it can be slowly passed on to the stomach. The crop is less noticeable once the feathers come in. Do not attempt to give these birds water. Water is in the bird feed mix and is sufficient at this age. Do not attempt to give your bird milk or dairy products.If you are keeping your bird in a cage, after it's last feeding at dusk, cover the cage with a dark towel. Their next feeding will be in the morning, preferably before 9am. During this age you can start introducing bird seed and fruits, mixed in with the bird feed. When you bird begins to pick at the seeds you can gradually cut back on the hand feedings at your discretion.

At this age you can also introduce your bird to baths. You can fill up a shallow container with some lukewarm water and place the bird in the water. It may take a few tires but eventually your bird will splash around and enjoy the water. Only offer baths during the day.

If you do not have bird feed available, you can soak dog food or cat food in water until it becomes soft. Break into small pieces and offer as food. At your earliest convenience get the bird feed that can be found at most pet stores. It has a good array of nutrients that baby birds require to thrive.

Juveniles and Adults:
Small cage with perch
Desk Lamp with 40-60watt bulb (not energy-saver bulbs) or heating pad
Dark towel for cage covering
Bird seed
Fruit(some species)

Since these birds are fully feathered, external heating is usually not necessary. On occasion it may be useful if you are keeping your bird in cooler temperatures or if your bird was found in shock. Should you need to, use only one of the external heating elements - the desk lamp or the heating pad, on it's lowest setting. If you use the heating pad, place is underneath the cage.

Adult birds should be fully self-sufficient with the feedings and should be able to eat seeds or fruits and drink water or nectar on their own. If you've found an adult bird, chances are that it is injured. If they are not able to eat or drink of their own then you will have to force feed them with a dropper every 2-4 hours. Never use water in the dropper. To give your bird water simply place a drop of water on it's closed beak. If it's responsive it will intake the fluid on it's own. Please be aware that if this is the case, the survival of this bird is grim. The most you can offer is a safe and comfortable place for it for the time being.

But if the bird is responsive and fairly active, chances of survival are improved.