How to Take Care of Baby Bird That Has Lost Its Mother

How to Take Care of Baby Bird That Has Lost Its Mother. Baby birds that seem lost are a common occurrence each nesting season. If you find an abandoned young bird, helping it might seem the natural thing to do, but most baby birds that appear lost really aren't. In the small chance that you have found a truly lost bird, there are some ways you can help take care of it.

Things Needed

• Binoculars
• Phone number for local wildlife rehabilitation center or bird rescue group
• Small container (like a margarine tub or small shoebox)
• Heating pad
• Dry dog or cat food
• Applesauce
• Grapes or watermelon
• Plastic spoon

Feathered Baby Birds (Fledglings)

Step 1

Watch from a distance to see if the parents come to feed it on the ground.

Step 2

Leave the baby alone if parent returns.

Step 3

Call an expert to care for the bird if no parent arrives.

Step 4

Place the baby bird in small container with air holes while waiting for expert help.

Step 5

Place a heating pad on the low setting under the container if the bird seems chilled.

Step 6

Mix applesauce with dry dog or cat food.

Step 7

Offer the baby bird the food mixture using the end of the plastic spoon.

Step 8

Offer the baby bird cut grapes or watermelon for rehydration. Do not feed it water.

Unfeathered Baby Birds

Step 1

Look for the nest from which it fell.

Step 2

Place the bird back in the nest if possible.

Step 3

Put grass or parts of the old nest into a margarine container if the old nest is uninhabitable.

Step 4

Hang the container from a tree branch close to the original nest.

Step 5

Watch from a distance to see if a parent returns to feed the baby.

Step 6

Call an expert to care for the bird if no parent arrives.

Step 7

Use a heating pad on the low setting under the container while waiting for expert help.

Step 8

Offer the baby bird cut grapes or watermelon, but do not feed it water.

Warnings

• Most baby birds are actually fledglings and are supposed to be on the ground.
• Local veterinarians can help you find the proper rehabilitation expert.
• Birds do not have a good sense of smell, if they can smell at all. Touching a baby and placing it back in its nest will not cause the parent to reject it.

Warnings

• It is illegal in the United States to care for most wild birds. Call an expert immediately and follow her directions until you can get the bird to her. Baby European starlings and house sparrows are an exception to the law because they are an introduced species.
• Giving liquid to a baby bird can cause it to aspirate and die.

References

• National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) - I found a baby bird. Now what?
• Birds N Ways - Orphaned Wild Baby Birds