Baby Birdy

[Nelium]

Today my cat found his way into the woods and walked out with a baby bird! I have no idea where the baby is from so no luck with finding it's nest. I was hoping I might get a few tips. I felt really bad for the tiny fella and put him in a cage that was not being used. I filled it with soft bedding and i'm hoping he will be ok.

I tried to look it up but i'm having no luck finding out if it is ok to use mealworms as a base food for the bird.
He seems to be a baby mocking bird.

Sorry that this is not a hunter pet! I just hope that the little bird makes it.

[Vephriel]

The best advice I can give is to ensure it stays warm. Get a hot water bottle or a heating pad beneath the soft bedding but make sure it's not too hot.

Do not try to force food or water into its beak as it could end up directly in its lungs.

Other than that, perhaps see if there's a local wildlife or bird rehab center in your area? They might be able to help it or offer you direction.

[Mania]

If you can't find a wildlife rehab place, you might also look for a bird store -- I mean a place that specializes in pet birds like parrots. They can probably direct you to a local vet who knows something about birds. If not, they may still be able to help -- many parrots are hand-raised so someone there might have experience.

But start with the wildlife rehab, then the vet. Better to get someone with official experience if you can find them.

[kamoodle5]

They do sell baby bird formula food and a "bottle" at the pet store, so if you're best advice from experts is to keep it, then buy those. I've seen in Youtube of people bottle-feeding their little baby finches (finches are harder to take care of because they are so little). The bottle they were using had a long nozzle.

[Mania]

I can't imagine hand-feeding finches. Soooo tiny!

[Teigan]

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[Nelium]

The little guy made it through the night and is doing a lot better than I thought he would!
He has had mealworms and earthworms, I thought the earthworms would be better but he only wants more mealworms now. I guess this is my Earthday present? I hope that he makes it, if he keeps eating I don't see why he would not. I am getting a good bit of water down him too, and he has taken to singing when I hold him...haha i'm afraid i'm falling for another one!

[Mania]

Just keep him away from that gorgeous Burmese ...

[Sphax]

i rembmer doing the same things when my cat brough a bird it caught

but



when i think of it today im more like i shoould have let it die.


Greatest rul of mother nature is

Survival of the strongest.



but then again ... its a pitty to let something die xD

[Nelium]

I'm thinking about what will happen to him long term now. I wish there was something I could do, but I'm not sure if he could ever be released into the wild? I do not think he would know what to do for food among other things. He is eating like mad and I have plently of food since I raise my own for the reptiles, but could I feed him too much? These "How to raise a young bird" websites are not really that helpful!

I'm going to get him a bird cage tonight, my old mouse house is a bit stuffed.

[Mania]

Most of the wild chicks I've seen that had to be raised by hand were able to go back into the wild at some point. The hardest part, from what I understand, is not teaching them how to find food in the wild -- they seem to pick that up okay -- getting them to understand that people can be dangerous.

[kamoodle5]

Another big step when taking care of a baby bird is when it's ready to fly. The backyard is probably a good place for that since it's all fenced up and there are no sorts of danger like power lines and roads. I'm imagining my backyard at this moment. And of course, it's important to keep an eye on it all the time.

[Redith]

i rembmer doing the same things when my cat brough a bird it caught

but



when i think of it today im more like i shoould have let it die.


Greatest rul of mother nature is

Survival of the strongest.



but then again ... its a pitty to let something die xD

At a risk of sounding like a jerk I have to still say this. As a hunter the first thing you realise is sometimes nature sucks. Things happen, cats will be cats. Now granted maybie im over evaluating the damage your cat did to it. But most times if a cat gets ahold of a baby bird the damage is extensive. But like I said you actually saw the birds condition and if u thought it would be ok then you did the right thing.

[Nelium]

Just going to post this as a last check up. The little fella is doing great and is eating all the time, he is chirping all the time as well! He is most likely going to be staying with me for a long time though. He seems to have some trouble with one of his wings, I can't find where it is hurt only that it won't fold completely. He does not act like he is in pain atleast and has gotten used to jumping on my finger when I feed him. I'm really happy that everything seems to be going well for him, and I love him for fighting against the odds.

Thank you all for the advice! Birdy says thank you too!

I just need a name for him now, and to keep my food stocked up for the litte guy!

[Vephriel]

Aw, what a sweet story! ^^ Do you know what kind of bird he is?

Take some pictures for us!

[Nelium]

I am having NO luck at all in finding out what species he is!
I have looked in bird identification books, websites, and even asked one of my friends that is really into wild birds and we are having no luck with this guy! He is dark brown with white striped wings, long legs, a short tail, a gray chest with black speckles, and he has a longer hooked beak...all I can get out if that is he eat insects not fruit.

No way of getting pictures of him at this time, my computer crashed so I'm having to use my friend's. As soon as I can(birdy may be all grown up by then!) I will get some pictures of the little bird up here.

[Teigan]

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[Nelium]

He has his adult feathers but the down(sp?) is still covering some parts of him like an extra layer. He has tried to fly but keeps falling on the wing. I'm worried that it will keep me from releasing him, as much as I love the little guy I want him to be free if it is possible.

[Teigan]

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[zedxrgal]

You need to take the small one to an Avian vet. They can help not only diagnose anything wrong but more then likely give you the species information you're looking for and connect you with a rehab center specializing in wildlife. Some avian vets also will not charge you for care of a wild species if it's being turned over to a rehab center or is being released once healthy.