Question: Caring for Wild Baby Birds
I found an orphaned baby bird in my yard. How can I feed it and properly care for it?
Answer: The first thing to do when you find a baby bird is determine if it is indeed orphaned. Many times, fledgling birds will join their parents on the ground, and if you scan the area closely, chances are you will be able to see the mother or father bird keeping watch on the chick nearby. In this sort of situation, it is best not to approach the baby bird, much less touch it or pick it up. Since it is still under the care and protection of its parents, it is not truly an orphan.
If you can safely determine that the bird is alone and in distress, try to fight the desire to raise it yourself and instead contact a wildlife rehabilitation center. Until the bird can be collected by the wildlife center, keep it warm and offer it food by placing small bites of dry cat food that has been soaked in water directly in the baby's mouth. Never try to feed a wild bird with a syringe, and never attempt to feed it parrot handfeeding formula. The consistency can easily choke and drown a wild baby, and the nutritional makeup of the parrot formula is not adequate for wild birds. Many people who find baby birds have the best of intentions when they take them in, but the unfortunate truth is that most of these babies die, and the ones that do make it have an extremely hard time being reintroduced into the wild.
Another point is that in the United States, all wild birds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, with the exception of Pigeons, Sparrows, and European Starlings. By taking possession of a wild baby bird, you could be in violation of Federal law. Professionals in the wildlife rehabilitation field have the means and expertise to provide a much better chance for survival for orphaned babies. Contact a veterinarian or your local animal control center for information on local agencies.
If you can safely determine that the bird is alone and in distress, try to fight the desire to raise it yourself and instead contact a wildlife rehabilitation center. Until the bird can be collected by the wildlife center, keep it warm and offer it food by placing small bites of dry cat food that has been soaked in water directly in the baby's mouth. Never try to feed a wild bird with a syringe, and never attempt to feed it parrot handfeeding formula. The consistency can easily choke and drown a wild baby, and the nutritional makeup of the parrot formula is not adequate for wild birds. Many people who find baby birds have the best of intentions when they take them in, but the unfortunate truth is that most of these babies die, and the ones that do make it have an extremely hard time being reintroduced into the wild.
Another point is that in the United States, all wild birds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, with the exception of Pigeons, Sparrows, and European Starlings. By taking possession of a wild baby bird, you could be in violation of Federal law. Professionals in the wildlife rehabilitation field have the means and expertise to provide a much better chance for survival for orphaned babies. Contact a veterinarian or your local animal control center for information on local agencies.
