Raising baby birds can be an incredibly rewarding experience. However, it also requires a lot of time, patience, and care. Baby birds are extremely fragile and have very specific needs in order to grow healthy and strong. There are a few key things you’ll need to provide to give orphaned or injured baby birds the best chance at survival.
Food
Food is one of the most important factors in keeping a baby bird alive. The type of food the baby bird needs will depend on the species and its age. Here are some basics:
Formula: Very young songbird hatchlings will need commercial bird hand-feeding formula. This formula is specially made to meet the nutritional needs of growing baby birds. Some common brands are Kaytee Exact Hand Feeding Formula, Zupreem Embrance Hand Feeding Formula, and Lafeber’s Hand-Feeding Formula. The formula should be mixed according to package directions. It’s crucial to get the consistency right – too thin and the baby could aspirate, too thick and it can’t digest the food properly. The temperature of the formula should be between 100-105°F.
Insects: As baby birds grow, they will start eating insects and other foods adult birds eat. Mealworms, crickets, small chopped up boiled eggs, berries, greens and sprouted seeds can be fed to fledglings and feathered nestlings. All food should be bite-sized and easy to swallow.
Species | Diet |
---|---|
Seed eating birds like finches | Chopped hard boiled eggs, sprouted seeds |
Omnivorous songbirds like robins | Mealworms, berries, chopped greens and sprouted seeds |
Insectivorous birds like chickadees | Mealworms, crickets |
Fruit eating birds like orioles | Chopped fruit pieces, softened raisins |
Nectar eating birds like hummingbirds | Specialized hummingbird formula |
Water: Clean, fresh water should always be available, especially when feeding dried foods that can cause dehydration. Use a shallow dish, water bottle cap or eyedropper. Make sure the baby bird is drinking – watch for the neck pulsating as it swallows.
Weaning: As the baby bird grows, start offering more natural food items and decrease hand feedings. This helps transition to self feeding and foraging.
Warmth
Baby birds have difficulty regulating their body temperature and need external heat sources to stay warm. Nestlings should be kept between 85 – 90°F. Options for providing warmth include:
– Incubator
– Heating pad (set on low, placed under half the enclosure)
– Hot water bottle (wrapped in a towel)
– Low wattage incandescent bulb over part of the enclosure
Monitor the temperature carefully. Overheating and chilling can both be fatal. Watch for panting, gaping and shivering which are signs the temperature needs adjusting.
Shelter
Housing for baby birds should contain some key features:
– Proper ventilation: Good air flow is important but avoid drafts.
– Easy to clean: Birds are messy eaters and housing needs regular cleaning and disinfecting.
– Appropriate substrate: Line the bottom with soft bedding that can be discarded like puppy pads, soft towels or recycled paper pulp bedding. Do not use materials like sand, wood shavings or straw which can cause impaction if ingested.
– Enclosure size: The housing needs to be large enough for the bird to move around in while still feeling secure. Generally a small to medium sized box or carrier works well.
– Covering: Birds feel more secure if there is something covering part of the enclosure like a cloth drape or towel. But leave plenty of uncovered space for light and ventilation.
– Safety: Make sure the housing is escape-proof. Birds grow quickly and soon will test the limits of their environment.
Hygiene
Young birds produce a lot of droppings that need frequent removal. The enclosure, food and water dishes, and any toys/perches should be cleaned daily. Use a 5-10% bleach solution or bird-safe disinfectant and rinse thoroughly. Be extremely careful that the baby bird does not come into contact with any cleaning solution – it can be toxic if ingested or get onto their sensitive skin.
Always wash hands thoroughly before and after handling baby birds. Good hygiene practices prevent the spread of bacteria, viruses and parasites. Also monitor the baby bird’s droppings as a change can indicate illness. Droppings should be solid, brown and white with some clear liquid. Loose, discolored or bloody stool is a bad sign.
Health Monitoring
Observe the baby bird closely throughout the day for any signs of illness. Weakness, decreased appetite, unusual droppings, shivering, discharge from eyes/nose and labored breathing all warrant a vet visit. Rehabilitation centers have veterinarians experienced with avian health issues. Catch any problems early for the best treatment outcomes.
Weigh the baby bird daily with a small gram scale. Weight loss is the first indicator of problems. Healthy chicks gain a significant amount of weight each day as they develop. You can calculate the expected daily gain based on the species. Sudden weight loss or failure to gain means something is wrong and the bird needs medical assessment.
Socialization
Many birds are highly social and need interaction with a caregiver, even if the same species, to develop properly. Hand-feed and handle nestlings frequently so they imprint well on humans. This allows them to be releasable later on. Fledglings and feathered nestlings still require regular interaction but keep handling to a minimum to avoid excessive tameness. Companion birds of the same species can sometimes help socialize baby birds. But be cautious of bullying and fighting over food.
Encourage Movement and Exercise
Place perches and small branches in the enclosure once the baby is old enough to hop/climb about. This helps develop leg and foot strength, coordination and balance. Cloth hanging toys, mirrors and objects to pick up encourage beak, wing and muscle conditioning. As feathers come in, regular spraying with a spray bottle aids preening and feather care. When weather permits, supervised time outdoors in a small cage or aviary provides vital fresh air and sunlight.
Key Supplies for Care
Caring for a baby bird requires specialized supplies to meet its needs. Having these items on hand is crucial to provide appropriate care and housing. Here is an overview of the essentials:
• Incubator – For nestlings that need consistent warmth and stable temperature/humidity levels. Still Air Incubators like the Hovabator or Brinsea are good choices.
• Brooder – Used for fledglings that need supplemental heat. Options include aquarium tanks, plastic totes or large cages with added heat source.
• Gram scale – To accurately weigh baby daily and monitor weight gain/loss. Scales that measure in 1 gram increments are ideal.
• Handfeeding formula and supplies – Specific to species being raised. Includes formula powder, feeding syringes, spoons and supplemental foods.
• Housing – Plastic totes, cardboard boxes or small cages lined with soft bedding materials. Perches can be added for hopping/climbing. Needs to be cleaned frequently.
• Heat sources – Heating pads, low wattage bulbs, hot water bottles. Thermometer to monitor temperature.
• Feeding dishes – Small, shallow bowls for food and water that can be cleaned frequently. Avoid using bottle caps which chicks can drown in.
• Hygiene supplies – Disinfectant, paper towels, sink with running water, hand soap, gloves, disposable protective gowns. Daily cleaning is required.
• Safety containment – The enclosure must keep small birds contained. Materials like window screening, hardware cloth, cardboard barriers or plexiglass walls prevent escape.
Caring for baby birds is a big commitment in time, energy and resources. Having the proper supplies and equipment is essential to provide for all their needs and give them the best chance to thrive. Consult with avian rehabilitators for specific recommendations on supplies before taking in any baby birds.
Common Health Issues
Baby birds are extremely fragile and can quickly succumb to illness and injuries. Knowing what to look out for and how to prevent problems is key in their care. Here are some of the most common health issues seen:
• Respiratory infections – Young birds are prone to bacterial, viral and fungal infections in their respiratory tract. Symptoms are discharge from eyes/nose, wheezing, difficulty breathing, lethargy. These require veterinary treatment but prevention through good hygiene and avoidance of drafts is important.
• Diarrhea/bacterial infections – Loose, watery droppings that stick to vent feathers occur when normal gut bacteria get out of balance. Overfeeding, poor hydration and stress contribute. May require antibiotics and supportive care. Probiotics can help restore good gut microflora.
• Parasites – Microscopic protozoa and worms transmitted from parents or contaminated food/environment. Can cause emaciation, weakness and death. Regular deworming and hygienic conditions prevent infestation.
• Injuries – Nestlings that fall from nests often sustain fractures, bruising and head trauma. These require splinting, bandaging and monitoring. Watch for normal movement, mentation and function.
• Nutritional deficiencies – Incorrect dilutions of formula, unbalanced diet or malabsorption can lead to loss of appetite, seizures, paralysis and more depending on the deficiency. A vet can advise treatment.
• Toxin exposure – Pesticides and other chemicals are extremely toxic to birds. Exposure can occur through contaminated food sources or surroundings. Immediate veterinary treatment is vital.
Catching illnesses early and maintaining stringent hygiene practices are the best ways to avoid health issues. An avian vet and wildlife rehabilitator can provide advice on prevention, supplemental care and medical interventions as needed if any problems develop.
Weaning and Fledging
As baby birds grow, two major milestones are weaning from hand/syringe feedings to self feeding and fledging out of the nest. Here is an overview of this transition period:
Weaning
– Starts when the baby begins refusing some hand feedings and shows interest in picking up food items.
– Foods offered should match natural diet. Finches enjoy sprouted seeds. Robins prefer worms. Hummingbirds will try flowers.
– At first more hand feedings than self feeding. Over days/weeks, decrease hand feeding frequency as intake increases.
– Monitor weight and hydration status closely. Some weight loss is expected during weaning.
– Full weaning occurs when baby is self feeding 100% of required daily intake and maintaining weight.
Fledging
– Age varies but often between 2 – 6 weeks after hatching. Species like robins fledge early under 2 weeks. Pigeons and raptors fledge closer to 6 weeks.
– Begins with hopping around enclosure, wing flapping and muscular development necessary for flying.
– Short sessions of supervised flying in a small room allows practice. As skills improve, increase flying time.
– Monitor for any crash landings or injuries. The enclosure should have padded perches and soft bedding to prevent injury if baby falls.
– Full fledging occurs when baby easily takes off, maneuvers, and lands smoothly. Ayla Aviary has an excellent baby bird flight school program.
– Even after fledging, close supervision is required until the baby has fully honed flight skills and self feeding. Premature independence puts them at risk.
Weaning and fledging require patience – babies will advance at their own pace. Let these milestones happen gradually and don’t rush development. This helps ensure success after release or placement in a new home.
Placement and Release Options
Once a baby bird is fully weaned, fledged and eating on their own, the next decision is placement. The options typically are release back to the wild, placement in an outdoor aviary or captive housing as a companion bird. Here are some of the factors to help determine the most appropriate option:
Release
Releasing hand raised birds back into the wild has many challenges. Consider if the bird has:
– Strong foraging skills and wariness of predators/humans
– Full flight ability and stamina for migration (if a migratory species)
– Ability to recognize and integrate with wild flock mates
– Natural feeding behaviors – not reliant on human provided food sources
– Good local habitat availability to support survival after release
Ideally baby birds should only be raised for release when there is no chance for parent rearing. Even then, success rates for survival in the wild are low for human imprinted birds. Many dedicated rehabilitators are working to improve these outcomes through new conditioning techniques.
Aviary Placement
For birds that are not suitable release candidates, an aviary or sanctuary may be the next option. Benefits include:
– Safer environment with food provided and reduced threats
– Ability to live near other birds for social dynamics
– Opportunity to fly and exhibit natural behaviors
– Exposure to outdoor elements and seasonal changes
The aviary must have enough space, variety and proper caring management. Accreditation by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries ensures high standards are met. This provides an acceptable option if wild release is not possible.
Companion Housing
Some baby birds are destined for captive life from the start due to permanent injury, imprinting or tameness. Responsible pet owners can offer quality lifelong homes when conservation placement is not an option. Considerations include:
– Proper cage sizing to allow movement and exercise
– Avian vet care available
– Commitment to time intensive training and enrichment
– Financial means to provide variety of food, toys and supplies
Birds are wild animals that retain natural behaviors and needs. The decision to keep any bird as a companion should not be taken lightly. Are you able to provide everything required for its health and well-being? If yes, then responsible captive housing may be appropriate.
Key Takeaways
Here are the main points to keep baby birds alive and thriving:
– Provide the correct food formula and introduce species-appropriate foods as they grow
– Maintain adequate warmth and safe housing with proper bedding and containment
– Clean enclosure, food dishes and toys daily to prevent disease
– Weigh birds daily and monitor for injury, illness and proper development
– Allow time for weaning from hand feeding and fledging in a controlled way
– Release rehabilitated birds only if they have the skills to survive in the wild
– Consider aviary placement or captive housing for birds unsuitable for release
With attentive care and veterinary guidance, orphaned and injured baby birds can be nursed back to health. Implementing the right interventions at each stage gives them the greatest chance to return to the wild or live a high quality life in captivity if necessary. With time, patience and vigilance, you can aid vulnerable baby birds to grow into beautiful, healthy juveniles ready for independence.