I have always loved to have birds in my yard and for years have planted my yard to encourage them to nest and hang out. Mostly hummingbirds, mocking birds, house finches, sparrows and gold finches.
The down side is frequently for some reason or another I find a baby that has been abandoned. My track record for sucessfully raising a baby bird is zero. They all seem to die after a few days under my care.
What do I feed them? How often should I feed them. Also many have little tiny parasites on them. I live in the Anaheim, California area if you know of an organization I can contact for help.
HELP!!!!
2011-05-08T08:52:22Z
Edit:I actually do not have a baby bird at the moment, but since this is that time of year the occasion might arise.
Yes, I know about the Magnolia Bird Farm. I have not been over there for years. Maybe it is time to pay them a visit. thanks.
Anonymous2011-05-09T19:51:39Z
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This is the advice I give for anyone finding a baby bird: If the bird is fully feathered, it is most likely a fledgling and has left the nest on it's own and it's parents are caring for it. It is normal for birds to leave the nest before they can fly. You need to replace it where you found it, preferably in a scrub or tree so it is relatively safe from predators, and the parents should come back to feed it. If it is unfeathered, then look for a nest and if you can find it, replace it into the nest. Do not worry about your scent being on the chick as birds have a very poorly developed sense of smell and will not reject a baby that has been touched. If you cannot find a nest, get the bird to a local wildlife rehab for it's best chance of survival. Also, keep in mind, it is illegal for you to try and raise this bird on your own. All birds in the U.S. are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Look for a rehab here: http://www.wildliferehabinfo.org/ContactList_MnPg.htm http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/wildlife/rehabilitators/directory-us.html
In honor of Mother's day, I'll tell you the story of Petie, the baby bird "I" raised.
At lunch time I found a baby bird at the school yard when I was in early elementary school. Maybe third or fourth grade. It had fallen out of its nest and the teacher told us that was part of nature and the bird would die. After school I went to check on the creature under the tree. It was weak; barely clinging to life.
Somehow I ended up with a shoe box, the baby finch, and a ride home on the school bus.
My mother prepared a bed (nest) of shredded paper in the box and fed the bird milk every hour 24/7 with an eyedropper. And a little strand of ground beef, dangling it over the gaping mouth like a worm. I don't think my mother actually slept for two weeks.
Quite impossibly, Petie lived and thrived. He was in the house for months, and learned to fly in the basement. When he was good and ready mom took him out on the deck and let him fly. Thinking he'd head out to the woods and that would be the last we'd see of him.
Not so, he would fly out for ten or fifteen minutes and then return to the kitchen window. He lived with us (including the cat who now had a shiny new bell on her collar) for several more weeks before he returned to the wild.
I would, firstly, suggest that you, if you're up to the task, mash up some worms and other insects to feed them. (I know its a bit disgusting, but if you want them to stay alive, that's all I can suggest.) They will need to be fed from a spoon. You can look up how to do this pretty much anywhere.
The parasites are mites. You can get mite protector in almost any bird store. (Since you live in Anaheim, I would suggest Magnolia Bird Farm.)
You should probably keep them in a shoe box. Line the shoe box with a soft towel to keep the birds warm. Make sure to close the lid at night to keep drafts and any cold air circulating in the room out, as a bird as young as yours are will be especially susceptible to catching a deadly illness.
When they are old enough to fly and eat on their own, release them back into the wild.
It is next to impossible to know what type baby bird you have and therefore will not know what food to feed it. Some eat seeds and others eat worms, bugs and insects. The baby bird will not survive on the wrong food. I always put them up in a tree of bush, the parents will hear it and care for it. Sometimes it is too young to hold on to a branch so I fashion a nest for it.
Separate them. You on no account be attentive to if it could have lice or a ailment. Your parakeets additionally might attempt to kill it. save him in his very own cage or field with bedding like a nest and feed him cat nutrition which you have have been given soaked in water for some hours until its delicate and gentle. you additionally can feed him grubs. confirm you provide him some water from a watch dropper on a daily basis.