How old is this baby?
Birdy Rehab 101
Bye Bye Birdy
I found a bird...now what?
So you've found a bird that needs your help. These come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Some are pink and featherless while others are fully feathered and injured. What do you now? Read on and let's assess the situation together...If you have found a nestling and it is responsive and uninjured, see if you are able to locate the nest that it has fallen out of. If you are able to, check that the nest is secure, then place the baby bird back in it's nest. After re-introduction to the nest observe for 1-1.5 hours. If the parents do not feed the chick, it was unsuccessful. Retrieve the chick for hand-raising.
If you are not able to do this, you have a few options. You can do nothing and leave the bird there which will result in it's untimely death. You can call your local wildlife rehabilitation center or you can try to care for the bird yourself.
Should you decide to care for the bird yourself, depending on the type of bird and it's age, it will have different needs. Be forewarned, that baby birds do require quite a bit of your time in it's early stages but if you're willing to put in the time, your efforts will be well worth it in the rewarding experience you'll gain.
How old is this baby?
Your guess is as good as mine. Unless you incubate and hatch a chick from the egg, there's really no way to tell. But these hints can get you pretty close to an accurate estimation.
Nestlings
- If the baby’s eyes are still closed it is probably less than 7 days old. If the bird is weak due to stress or disease, it may also have trouble opening its eyes. It may be featherless or have some down feathers.
- By 12-14 days of age it should have a good amount of feathers coming through (still in pinfeather form).
Fledgling
- By 16-20 days it should be completely feathered , fluttering, attempting to perch, and interested in leaving the nest.
- By 22-34 days it should be flying fairly well and able to eat on its own although it will still beg its parents for food.
Juvenile/Adult
- By 40–50 days its tail feathers should be as long as its parents. But it may still be dependent on its parents for food.
Birdy Care 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.
Bye Bye Birdy
Before release you need to make sure that your bird is both eating and drinking on it's own. By this time you should not be hand-feeding any meals. You also need to make sure that your bird can fly fairly well. I take my birds into the bathroom or garage to have them test out their wings. Make sure when you have your "flying lessons" that the area is free from predators or objects that could be of danger, i.e. lighted candles, moving ceiling fans, etc. Don't over-exert your bird, if you notice that they are breathing heavily or are breathing through their mouths, the lesson is through.You will wan to release your bird in the morning, preferably on a day when the weather is nice and the area isn't bustling with activity. I will usually check the weather report for the following days as well to avoid any upcoming storms and high winds.
I have released birds by tossing them up into the air and also by simply leaving them outdoors with the door to their cage left open. Some birds will return a few times to feed or for familiarity, but most do not return after a few days. Despite how tame your bird may have been, they will quickly integrate with a flock and will no longer come to you. Your work here is done.
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