There are many challenges for baby wild birds to become adults. They often come out of their safe nests, and are in danger. If you find a baby bird that needs help, there are many steps to caring for the baby bird until wildlife rehabilitation center personnel arrive. You are not allowed to raise baby birds yourself. In fact, the law in some countries (the United States and Canada, for example) requires the bird to be turned over to a licensed professional. In the UK, you are allowed to own and care for a wild bird if you have proven that you have not harmed the bird. Some protected species must be handed over to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation officer. You should be able to take care of the bird and release it into its natural habitat or leave it to people who are trained to care for it.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Reuniting Baby Birds with Their Parents
Step 1. Never take birds from their nests
If you find a baby bird alone in the nest, don't assume the mother bird left her. Most likely she is looking for food for her baby and will be back soon.
No matter how loud the baby bird sings and cries, never take it from the nest because you are "kidnapping" the baby bird
Step 2. Return the baby bird (nestling) to the nest
Nestlings are chicks that do not yet have feathers. They sometimes fall from their nests, and can endanger themselves. The best thing you can do for a baby bird is NOT to take it home, but to return it to its nest.
- Look for empty nests in nearby trees or bushes. If you can find it, place the baby bird back into its nest so it can wait for its mother to return.
- Always remember to treat it gently!
Step 3. Create a temporary nest if you can't find the real one
Birds can hide their nests very well. If you can't find a nest, you should still try to reunite the baby bird with its mother by making an artificial nest for the baby bird to wait for its mother to return.
- Fill a small box or bowl with grass or tissue paper, and place the baby birds in the artificial nest.
- You can also use a basket with handles and hang the basket from a nearby tree branch.
- Leave the "nest" where you found it. Wait and see if the mother bird will come and take care of the baby.
Step 4. Call a professional if the mother bird doesn't come
If, after waiting about an hour, you still haven't seen the mother bird return to care for the baby bird, you should contact an expert. A licensed wildlife rehabilitator is a great choice for caring for baby birds to keep them healthy and happy.
- If you can't find a rehab worker yourself, contact your local veterinarian, bird shop, or an "Audubon Society" (American bird lover) association and ask them to put you in touch with an animal rehab worker.
- The wildlife rehab worker will ask where you found the bird, so he can return it to its natural nest when it recovers. Try to be as specific as possible.
Method 2 of 3: Keeping Newborn Chicks in the Wild
Step 1. Pay attention to the plumage of the baby bird
If a baby bird has feathers, it is no longer a nestling but a fledgling. The birds that have started to grow are starting to learn to fly.
Step 2. Observe for any wounds on the body of the chick
Getting out of the nest is normal for fledging. As part of their flight lessons, they jump from their nests and float to the ground. Usually, their mother is around, teaching them to fly.
- If the chick appears to be limping or is using one wing more often, it is most likely injured.
- If you don't see any sores, just leave the chick. Getting out of the nest is a normal process in the life of a chick.
Step 3. Remove healthy chicks if they are in danger
Observe the area-do you see dogs, cats, or other threats nearby? If the chick is doing well, you may have to move the chick to protect it from threatening predators.
Place the chick in a bush or in a tree at a height sufficient to protect the chick from predators
Step 4. Watch and wait for the mother bird to come
Wait for the mother bird to come back and check on the chicks for about an hour. If after an hour the brood hasn't appeared, you should seek professional help for the chick.
Step 5. Contact a wildlife rehabilitation center
Again, it is important to remember that wildlife rehabilitation officers are the best prepared to care for the bird. Find a licensed specialist who can give him a better chance of getting him back to health.
Remember to always provide specific information about the bird's whereabouts when found
Step 6. Bring injured chicks to medical attention
If after watching the bird for a few minutes you conclude that it looks sick or injured, you should help it. Gently scoop up the bird and place it in an artificial "nest".
- Do not try to treat an injured bird alone. The best thing you can do to help an injured animal is to have it checked by a veterinarian.
- It should be noted that many veterinarians refuse to treat wild animals. However, they can help you contact those who can.
Method 3 of 3: Caring for Birds Until Wildlife Rehabilitation Officers Come
Step 1. Find a plastic box or bowl
Bird nests are usually quite small, and an enclosed space makes baby birds feel safe. Do not place frightened chicks in a large box. Provide a small and nice place to stay.
Step 2. Place the heat source in the box
Baby birds need warmth more than humans – even though we are comfortable in a room at 21-23°C, a baby bird needs around 29°C. The heat from hot water in a bag or bottle can be used to work around this. You can also use heat from a light bulb.
- Do not use boiling water in a drinking water bottle. Excessive heat can hurt the bird.
- You should be able to place your hand under the lamp or on a heater without burning your hand or feeling uncomfortable.
Step 3. Place the bird in the "nest"
Use a chandelier to create a comfortable distance for the baby birds. If using a direct heating method such as using a bottle with hot water, do not keep the bird on the heating medium so that direct contact occurs. Instead, lay the tissue paper on top of the heat source in the form of a nest, and place the bird on top.
Step 4. Close the box
The quieter and darker the nest you make, the more secure the chicks will feel in that strange and new place. Cover the box with a light blanket or newsprint, but be sure to punch holes in the box so the chicks can breathe. You may be able to put the box in a cat or dog carrier.
Step 5. Leave the bird in an isolated place
Your little bird will be happy to be left alone in a quiet area. Make sure children, pets, and anything else that might scare the bird away are away from the room where you keep the "nest".
Step 6. Don't treat the bird beyond its needs
You may think the baby bird is adorable, but he may find you scary. Resist the temptation to hold the bird to your satisfaction. Touch it as needed, for example when moving it into a temporary nest.
Step 7. Keep your hands and the area around the “nest” clean
Birds can carry many germs and diseases. Whenever you handle the bird, you should wash your hands immediately. Keep the bird away from the kitchen or where you store food. Do not let bird droppings in your food.
Step 8. Don't give baby birds water
You may find this statement strange, but baby birds don't drink water. If you try to give him a drink through a syringe or eye drops, the water could enter his lungs and cause death.
Step 9. Ask a wildlife rehabilitation specialist to find out how to feed baby birds
Call the wildlife rehabilitation center that will take the bird and ask if you should feed the bird. If the rehabilitation center is going to bring the bird in immediately, a representative from the center will ask you to wait until they can feed the bird themselves. However, if there is a delay, follow their advice on how to feed the baby bird.
Not all bird food is the same. Giving him milk, bread, or other food that "feels right" can cause diarrhea or other health problems. Follow the wildlife specialist's instructions carefully
Step 10. Use dog kibble or dry dog food instead of grains
Do this only if you are sure that the bird you are caring for is a grain-eating bird (for example, pigeons or pigeons). In the meantime, you can replace the bird's natural food with dog kibble until the bird is in the hands of experts.
- Soak the kibble for an hour using a ratio of 1 part kibble to 2 parts water.
- Feed the bird small, soaked kibble, about the size of a pea.
- Make sure the kibble is not too wet. Remember, you don't want any water to get into the baby bird's lungs!
- You can also go to a pet store and buy hand-feeding formula for baby parrots. Follow the directions on the package to prepare the formula.
Step 11. Take the bird to a wildlife specialist when the time is right
When you contact the wildlife rehabilitation officer, you will be notified when you can bring the bird. Until then, keep your bird as calm and quiet as possible, and leave him alone.
Some vets will accept wild birds and hand them over to a wildlife specialist for you. Ask your local vet if they can do it for you
Tips
- Try to keep the birds you care for in a warm environment, and free from stress.
- Do not feed baby birds with food for adult birds. The food does not contain the nutrients that baby birds need to grow and develop.
- Do not move the bird continuously. Let him sleep.
- For small birds, you can even use paper bags with holes in the sides to temporarily shade them.
- Contact a wildlife rehabilitation center in your area. You can look up the information online or contact your local animal control agency or veterinary hospital.
Warning
- Feeding baby birds with the wrong food can lead to death.
- Birds can carry disease. Make sure you wash your hands (and/or wear rubber gloves) before and after caring for the bird and don't allow small children near the bird.
- It is difficult to determine the species of baby birds.
