- First, determine if the bird is truly orphaned or
is it a fledgling that is fine where it is.
An orphaned bird or nestling is a bird that is not meant
to be outside of the nest, or in the case of ducks and
geese, outside of the care of their mother. A nestling
bird is usually featherless, but may be covered in soft
down or newly erupting feathers covered in a sheath. A
fledgling bird is learning to forage for food on its own
and learning to fly, these birds are usually left to fend
for themselves by the parents, but the parents will feed
them occasionally. Fledgling birds often resemble smaller
less colorful version of the parents
- What to do with fledgling birds.
If the bird is uninjured, it is best to leave it alone,
if possible, because they will be cared for and watched
over by its natural parent. Remember this is the time the
parent birds are teaching the young bird the skills it will
need as an adult. Because no human can raise a bird as well
as its natural parents, it is best to leave these birds
alone unless they are injured or seem to be ill
- What to do with a nestling.
If the bird is a nestling, every attempt should be made
to return it to its original nest. Contrary to popular belief,
the parents will not be concerned with humane scent on the
baby and reject their offspring. The parental bond in most
species of birds is extremely strong, and they rarely abandon
their offspring. If the nest can not be found or if the
bird is injured, it should be brought to a wildlife center
like the New England Wildlife Teaching Hospital for care.
The staff members of the Wildlife Teaching Hospital are
specially trained in the care of all species of wildlife,
and will be able to start the orphaned bird on the appropriate
diet, and offer any medical care that may be needed.
- What do you do until you are able to bring the orphaned
bird to the New England Wildlife Teaching Hospital?
- Place the bird in a warm area, such as a box, or bowl
lined with a towel, under a lamp or on a heating pad
set on low. (Baby animals chill easily, and can die
if left cold for extended periods of time)
- Oral fluids such as pedialyte or a 10% solution of
warm water and table sugar can be given slowly into
an opened beak with an eyedropper.
- If the baby is begging for food, small amount of commercial
bird hand raising formula, canned dog food, fruit, earthworms,
or a thin mixture of high protein baby cereal and hard
boiled egg yolk, can be fed carefully, with your fingers
or a cotton swab. Feed the baby until it stops begging
or at least every 2 to three hours till you can bring
it to the Wildlife Teaching Hospital. (At the Teaching
Hospital we feed baby birds every twenty minutes throughout
the day and stop feedings overnight.) Please also remember
to wash your hands well, or wear gloves when handling
the bird. Handling should be kept to a minimum.
- What do you do if the bird is injured?
If the bird appears injured bring it to the Wildlife teaching
Hospital, or another rehabilitation organization as soon
as possible. If a rehabilitator can not be located quickly,
then contact your local veterinarian who is familiar with
wildlife
- Remember
It is illegal to keep wild birds unless you are in possession
of the appropriate licenses. Rehabilitating wildlife is
a complex task that should not be undertaken without proper
training. There are more than 600 species of birds in North
America, and they all have different dietary and husbandry
needs.
Unless these needs are met the birds will die. If you would
like more information on wild birds please free to call
the New England Wildlife Teaching Hospital at 781-749-1248.
|
