Husbandry emergency, dying animal :-/

[smy_749]

The construction worker at my dads new place ripped down a birds nest, and left all the babies on the ground in the grass last night. This morning my sister told me so I got up and drove to my dads, 2 were dead and I grabbed the third one. Hes in a polystyrene container with low heat and my t-shirt as a nest and I gave him some very small mealworms. Didn't have time to research as the poor thing was on the brink anyways, had been out for almost 15 hours in the cold grass. figured it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

Anyone think I can save him? What do I need to do? He still hasn't opened his eyes or have any feathers, but he took a bunch of tiny mealworms, and I also crushed a few up and gave him the 'juices' with a eye dropper.

Help would be appreciated.

[smy_749]

Is it illegal to keep him in my house? Didn't even cross my mind....if it is, than what am I supposed to do with em :S

[Concept9]

I am no bird expert, but growing up I rescued a few birds for similar reasons and exactly what you are doing.

I kept them warm and secure, I had to dig up earth worms though. I cleaned them and cut them into small chunks a fed the bird.

Most lived. :)

Good luck Smy.

[Chu'Wuti]

First, you need to try to identify the species. If it's an insectivore, it MUST have insects for food or its bones will not develop properly. If it's not an insectivore, worms would be fine. But feeding worms to an insectivore just doesn't work in the long run. I'm glad you started with mealworms, though it can't be fed only mealworms all the time as they're too high in fat.

Was there any evidence at the nest to suggest what species this bird might be?

One of the real problems here is that it is very easy to confuse sparrows and wrens, but they need to be fed differently for long-term health and survival.

You might try to find a local wildlife rescue group or rehabber. They could be very helpful in helping you ID the baby and in suggesting what to feed it.

Good luck! I'm glad you're willing to try!

[smy_749]

First, you need to try to identify the species. If it's an insectivore, it MUST have insects for food or its bones will not develop properly. If it's not an insectivore, worms would be fine. But feeding worms to an insectivore just doesn't work in the long run. I'm glad you started with mealworms, though it can't be fed only mealworms all the time as they're too high in fat.

Was there any evidence at the nest to suggest what species this bird might be?

One of the real problems here is that it is very easy to confuse sparrows and wrens, but they need to be fed differently for long-term health and survival.

You might try to find a local wildlife rescue group or rehabber. They could be very helpful in helping you ID the baby and in suggesting what to feed it.

Good luck! I'm glad you're willing to try!


I can't tell, the nest was completely destroyed. I have no idea what type of bird it is :/ I'll check wild life rescues in the area, will they even rescue a normal local bird species? I read that I can feed him the yolk of boiled eggs as well ?

[Concept9]

First, you need to try to identify the species. If it's an insectivore, it MUST have insects for food or its bones will not develop properly. If it's not an insectivore, worms would be fine. But feeding worms to an insectivore just doesn't work in the long run. I'm glad you started with mealworms, though it can't be fed only mealworms all the time as they're too high in fat.

Was there any evidence at the nest to suggest what species this bird might be?

One of the real problems here is that it is very easy to confuse sparrows and wrens, but they need to be fed differently for long-term health and survival.

You might try to find a local wildlife rescue group or rehabber. They could be very helpful in helping you ID the baby and in suggesting what to feed it.

Good luck! I'm glad you're willing to try!

Very good point here.

I never though of this because the ones I rescued where Robins.

[Terranaut]

Pics. Always pics if you can. Good luck with it. Hope it flys away someday :)

[smy_749]

http://www.cummingtonwildlife.com/images/nestling.jpg

Looks exactly like this, maybe every hatchling does but I'm an idiot with birds, but thats how he looks 100%

[Chu'Wuti]

Yes, every hatchling looks pretty much like that. There are variations on the beak shape & appearance, but that's a typical baby bird body with no feathers. Poor little guy!

And that's the real challenge. It can be almost impossible to differentiate between baby wrens and baby sparrows, but they need different diets. I'm attaching a few links that might help, but in this type of situation, there are no guarantees, unfortunately.

How to raise a baby sparrow (http://rmr.hubpages.com/hub/Raising-a-baby-sparrow)

Carolina Wren — Nestwatcher's Resource Center (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/nestinginfo/bios/sp_accts/cawr)

Caring for Baby Birds, diet, feeding, finding a baby bird, what to do (http://www.wild-bird-watching.com/Baby_Birds.html#sthash.0OZ5FIbq.dpbs)

Good luck.

[LadyWraith]

Sucks you have no way of knowing the species. How big is it? You could probably rule out many species by the size but in my experience you're right that all hatchlings look alike. I've rescued a few different species but they've all been insectivores. I would just go turn over rocks and grab crickets, roly polies, etc... mash them up and voila. Keep it warm... would've been helpful to get part of the torn down nest. I don't know of any scientific data supporting this, but from personal experience, thee babies have seemed less stressed when I was able to reuse their nest. And it depends on your state law; a lot of them seem to have a lot of native animal laws.

[smy_749]

Sucks you have no way of knowing the species. How big is it? You could probably rule out many species by the size but in my experience you're right that all hatchlings look alike. I've rescued a few different species but they've all been insectivores. I would just go turn over rocks and grab crickets, roly polies, etc... mash them up and voila. Keep it warm... would've been helpful to get part of the torn down nest. I don't know of any scientific data supporting this, but from personal experience, thee babies have seemed less stressed when I was able to reuse their nest. And it depends on your state law; a lot of them seem to have a lot of native animal laws.


There was no nest anymore, it was destroyed completely. When I went this morning back to my dads they were in a plastic container with some straw and what not. The other ones were dead and there were no eggs. What about cat food / mealworms / boiled egg yolk ? I read that on some random website. He did poop, and he stops chirping in between feeds, like hes sleeping or something. Hes got a heat mat on a thermostat set to 88 for right now as well.

[LadyWraith]

Oh I see. Yea can't really use the nest if it isn't there anymore. I've never personally tried any of those items for food sources. I just tried to mimic their natural foods and it worked for me. Instead of meal worms, perhaps like feeder roaches or crickets instead? That's assuming it's an insectivore of course. But those are closer to what it would find hanging out in the grass. Good luck to you... it's def harder not knowing the species. Sounds good on the heat.

[smy_749]

Oh I see. Yea can't really use the nest if it isn't there anymore. I've never personally tried any of those items for food sources. I just tried to mimic their natural foods and it worked for me. Instead of meal worms, perhaps like feeder roaches or crickets instead? That's assuming it's an insectivore of course. But those are closer to what it would find hanging out in the grass. Good luck to you... it's def harder not knowing the species. Sounds good on the heat.

I don't have any feeder insect colonies atm, just a bunch of mealies. I have to go back to work for a few hours (I don't get it off since my dad is the owner haha) so I sent my sister home with all the food/ heat / temp gun and told her what to do. Was probably a bad idea since shes not animal savy and will cry her eyes out if he doesn't make it, but I can't bring him with me :/

Anyways, thanks guys, I'll update if he survives till tomorrow.

[sweatshirt]

^ I see you sent it with your sister, but tell her this.

I hand fed my baby lovebird when I was 13 and did extensive research before I did so, but I'm not experienced with wild baby birds... however being in the bird community for a while teaches you some things.

First of all, she'll need formula. Yes, baby birds need formula. There are plenty of different bird formulas (Lafeber is the best for WILD baby birds, Kaytee is good as well). Follow the instructions for heating! You don't want hot spots or overheating.

She'll also need a low CC syringe without the needle, you can usually get them free at the pharmacy at CVS (I used 5 at first, 10 last) OR an eye dropper, which may be better as hers is a baby baby.

Another thing, a food thermometer. The formula should be around 105-110 F.

What you were doing besides that is correct: Keep the baby in an aired container over a heat mat set at low over half the container, because like snakes they need to be able to move away if overheated.

Don't offer insects until the baby is older - For now the vital nutrition is needed from formula. The mother regurgitates in their mouth at this age.

Another thing: Birds have crops, not stomachs, but you probably know that. The crop should feel like a tightish balloon when the baby is full with formula. Also, make sure that you put the syringe into the beak on the left side, or your right side (I got that advice from a site).

I WOULD however, try to contact a wildlife rehabber. Here in Florida I've found baby rabbits, birds, squirrels, etc and they all go to the old lady who's an ex rehabber.

P.S. Regard all this if it's a dove :D They need "milk" (Google it). I can't tell what type it is.

[formica]

as suggested a wildlife rescue service is more likley to be able to help, baby birds need food almost constantly, and the diet is very important - i fear its chances are pretty slim even in the hands of someone with allot of experience at this point, being so young

[smy_749]

Little guy didn't make it. He was doing good until about 5 pm then he stopped eating and slowly passed. Just thought I'd update everyone.

Also about the Rescue, the closest ones are all on the other side of the state, over an hour away and probably closed since its the fourth of july.

[Chu'Wuti]

Thanks for letting us know, smy. You did the best you could under harsh circumstances. Sometimes we just have to try even when we can't succeed.

[smy_749]

Thanks for letting us know, smy. You did the best you could under harsh circumstances. Sometimes we just have to try even when we can't succeed.

I just felt bad for the little guy, and atleast if he was going to pass (which I was thinking from the beginning) that he could do it in a warm blanket indoors as opposed to cold and in the grass and starving. Thats nature for ya though, and I don't think anyone here who truly 'loves animals' would have done differently and left him there ....I hope.

[Amadeus]

I just felt bad for the little guy, and atleast if he was going to pass (which I was thinking from the beginning) that he could do it in a warm blanket indoors as opposed to cold and in the grass and starving. Thats nature for ya though, and I don't think anyone here who truly 'loves animals' would have done differently and left him there ....I hope.

This may sound blunt, but I love nature and I would have left it. Or put it out of it's misery.

But it is nice to know some people have more compassion than me. Happy birthday smy and by bye birdie.

[smy_749]

This may sound blunt, but I love nature and I would have left it. Or put it out of it's misery.

But it is nice to know some people have more compassion than me. Happy birthday smy and by bye birdie.

I was going to chop off its head with a sharp knife when I found him and leave it to the other animals to do what nature intended but my sister wanted me to try and save him, and its not completely out of the question that he could have survived so I gave it a shot. But putting it out of its misery was my first though as well.

[Chris72]

as suggested a wildlife rescue service is more likley to be able to help, baby birds need food almost constantly, and the diet is very important - i fear its chances are pretty slim even in the hands of someone with allot of experience at this point, being so young

Yes...that!

I did breed exotic birds for a long time....please take it to somone with experience. At that size they need to be eating every few hours, and they will eat to fill thier crop which is an amount of food that looks like it will suffocate the bird. (Pouch on neck) What you have been doing is highly commendable in effort and creativity but the animal is surely deteriorating. With birds you will not see it until its way too late.

In addition to the food he will need elevated warmth and humidity at that stage.

If you call the humane society and advise them of what happened, and ask them if there is someone locally who will tend to the baby bird...you will likely save his life that way. Alternatly if there is a local university or college with veteranry studies they tend also to put the animal before themselves. Ie-it might have around the clock care until it is stable.

You are in CT right?... (First hit on google search for Bird Rescue in CT :

Connecticut Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (http://www.cwrawildlife.org/findarehabilitator.html)

Opens with:

If you have found an injured, orphaned or sick animal or bird, please locate a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.

Click here to be directed to the Department of Environmental Protection Distressed Wildlife site.

Hope that helps.....

[Chu'Wuti]

Chris72, please re-read post #16 by smy_749. He says, first thing, "Little guy didn't make it."

[formica]

good on ya for trying and making his last few hours more comfortable :)


you'd think with all the fireworks, that wildlife rescue would be more busy than usual on 4th of july, no? shame - although I doubt they could have done much more tbh, if they close up shop, then no-one would have been there to feed as needed

[Chris72]

Chris72, please re-read post #16 by smy_749. He says, first thing, "Little guy didn't make it."

Missed that. When I saw the pic I jumped right to the end.
Kinda felt like that would be the out come.
Birds tend to go..."I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm dead"

Anyway. Smy....good on ya' for trying.

[smy_749]

Missed that. When I saw the pic I jumped right to the end.
Kinda felt like that would be the out come.
Birds tend to go..."I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm dead"

Anyway. Smy....good on ya' for trying.


Reptiles tend to do that as well lol It was a valuable lesson in nature for my sister, I think she cried though.