How Do You Save an Abandoned Baby Bird? A Comprehensive Guide
Saving an abandoned baby bird involves providing immediate warmth, appropriate food, and protection from predators. This guide provides essential steps on how to save an abandoned baby bird and increase its chances of survival.
Introduction: A Feathered Friend in Need
Discovering a baby bird alone can be a heartbreaking experience. Your first instinct might be to intervene, but it’s crucial to assess the situation carefully before acting. Not all seemingly abandoned birds are truly orphaned. Understanding the different stages of avian development and knowing when and how to intervene is key to how do you save an abandoned baby bird.
Understanding the Bird’s Development Stage
Before attempting a rescue, determine whether the bird is a nestling or a fledgling. This distinction is critical because each stage requires a different approach.
- Nestlings: These birds are featherless or sparsely feathered and unable to hop or fly. They are entirely dependent on their parents and should ideally be returned to their nest, if possible.
- Fledglings: These birds have most of their feathers and are learning to fly. They often hop around on the ground and may appear vulnerable, but their parents are typically nearby, continuing to feed them.
Identifying True Abandonment
It’s essential to confirm that a baby bird is genuinely abandoned before intervening. Parental birds often leave their young for short periods to forage for food. Observe the bird from a distance for at least an hour or two to see if the parents return. Look for these signs of true abandonment:
- The bird is visibly injured or sick.
- The bird is surrounded by predators (cats, dogs, etc.) and the parents are nowhere in sight.
- The nest has been destroyed, and the parents are not attempting to rebuild.
- The bird appears weak, unresponsive, and is consistently calling out without any parental response.
The Rescue Process: Step-by-Step
If you’ve determined that the bird is indeed abandoned, follow these steps:
- Warmth: The most critical first step is to provide warmth. Place the bird in a small box lined with soft cloth, paper towels, or tissues. A heating pad set on low under half of the box can provide warmth, but ensure the bird has room to move away if it gets too hot. Alternatively, a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel can be used.
- Identification (if possible): Identifying the species of the baby bird will help determine its dietary needs. Consult online resources or contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for assistance.
- Feeding: Baby birds require frequent feeding. If you can identify the species, research its natural diet. Offer food every 2-3 hours during daylight hours. Avoid feeding birds milk, bread, or worms from your garden (these may contain harmful pesticides).
- Hydration: Offer small drops of water using an eyedropper, placing the drops along the side of the beak. Avoid forcing water into the bird’s mouth, as this can cause aspiration.
- Sanitation: Keep the bird’s environment clean. Regularly remove soiled bedding and replace it with fresh material. After each feeding, gently wipe the bird’s beak with a damp cloth.
- Contact a Wildlife Rehabilitator: Your efforts are only temporary. Seek professional help as soon as possible. A licensed wildlife rehabilitator has the expertise and resources to provide the best possible care for the bird.
Creating a Temporary Nest
If the original nest has been destroyed, you can create a temporary nest.
- Use a small basket or plastic container.
- Line it with soft, clean materials like paper towels, tissues, or fleece.
- Place the temporary nest in a safe, sheltered location near where you found the bird (if the parents are still in the area).
Feeding: What to Offer and How Often
Feeding a baby bird correctly is crucial for its survival.
| Bird Type | Diet | Feeding Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| :———– | :——————————————————————————————————— | :—————- |
| Insectivores | Commercial insectivore diet, mealworms (crushed for young birds), small crickets. | Every 2-3 hours |
| Seed-eaters | Commercial bird formula, soaked and mashed birdseed. | Every 2-3 hours |
| Fruit-eaters | Mashed fruits (berries, bananas), commercial bird formula. | Every 2-3 hours |
| Raptors | Never feed raptors (hawks, owls). Contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately. | N/A |
Remember to prepare the food to a soft consistency, small enough for the baby bird to swallow easily.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Feeding the wrong food: Avoid feeding birds milk, bread, or earthworms from your garden. These can be harmful or fatal.
- Overfeeding: Overfeeding can lead to crop impaction. Only offer small amounts of food at each feeding.
- Forcing food or water: Never force food or water into the bird’s mouth, as this can cause aspiration.
- Keeping the bird as a pet: It is illegal to keep a wild bird as a pet. Furthermore, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to provide the specialized care it needs to thrive.
- Assuming a fledgling is abandoned: Often, fledglings are still being cared for by their parents. Observe from a distance before intervening.
The Importance of Seeking Professional Help
While your efforts are commendable, remember that wildlife rehabilitation is best left to professionals. Licensed rehabilitators have the knowledge, resources, and permits necessary to provide optimal care for orphaned or injured wildlife. Contacting a rehabilitator early can significantly increase the bird’s chances of survival and successful release back into the wild. Knowing how do you save an abandoned baby bird is crucial; acting on that information quickly and effectively, including contacting experts, is even more so.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I touch a baby bird? Won’t the mother reject it if I do?
This is a common misconception. Birds have a poor sense of smell, so the mother will not reject her baby if you touch it. It’s perfectly safe to handle a baby bird to return it to its nest or provide temporary care.
What if I can’t find the nest?
If you can’t find the original nest, you can create a temporary nest and place it in a safe, sheltered location near where you found the bird. The parents may still be able to locate it.
How do I know if I’m feeding the bird enough?
The baby bird should appear alert and active after feeding. Its crop (a pouch in the neck) should be slightly full, but not overly distended. If the crop is not emptying between feedings, reduce the amount of food you’re offering.
Can I use tap water to hydrate the bird?
Filtered or bottled water is preferable to tap water, as it may contain chlorine or other chemicals that could be harmful.
How do I keep the bird warm?
A heating pad set on low under half of the box is a good option, ensuring the bird has space to move away if it becomes too hot. A warm water bottle wrapped in a towel is another suitable alternative. Monitor the bird closely to ensure it is not overheating or getting chilled.
Is it legal to care for an abandoned baby bird?
In most places, it is illegal to keep a wild bird without the proper permits. Your role should be to provide temporary care until you can transfer the bird to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
What should I do if I find a baby bird with a broken wing?
Contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately. They have the expertise to assess the injury and provide appropriate treatment. Attempting to treat a broken wing yourself could cause further damage.
How long can a baby bird survive without food?
Baby birds have a high metabolic rate and require frequent feeding. They can only survive a few hours without food, especially if they are cold or injured.
Can I release the bird back into the wild myself?
Releasing the bird back into the wild should be done by a qualified wildlife rehabilitator. They will assess the bird’s health, ensure it has the necessary skills to survive, and choose an appropriate release location.
What if the parents are still around but don’t seem to be feeding the baby?
Observe the situation carefully and patiently. The parents may be inexperienced or stressed. If the baby bird appears weak or injured, or if the parents consistently fail to feed it, contact a wildlife rehabilitator.
How do I clean the bird if it gets soiled?
Gently wipe the bird with a damp, soft cloth. Avoid using soap or immersing the bird in water, as this can chill it and damage its feathers.
What if I can’t find a wildlife rehabilitator in my area?
Search online directories, contact your local animal shelter or humane society, or reach out to a veterinarian who specializes in avian care. They may be able to provide assistance or connect you with a rehabilitator. Remember that speed is of the essence when considering how do you save an abandoned baby bird.