found baba bird help

[MarciaLove]

Ok so just found a baby wild bird in manure pile at my work watched for a bjr and no parents around his crop is empty and he's weak I won't be back from work til 2 what should I do to help him/feed him?? I'll post a pic when I'm home

 

[JerseyWendy]

Personally I would try and find the number for a rehabber and have him/her take on the responsibility.

 

[MarciaLove]

He has little tiny bugs all over him what should I do about that?? In on my way home now I'm gonna swing by the petstore and get some mealworms I read I should get those for him.

 

[cockatielgirl]

rember to give him water too

 

[JerseyWendy]

Those tiny bugs are most likely blood sucking mites. You should rinse him under the sink thoroughly, then dry him off with WHITE paper towels. If you see more of those mites, rinse again until they are all gone. They are a major PITA for little birds and can even cause death.

 

[MarciaLove]

ok heres some pics Ive got mealworms but he wont touch them so Im making him some food now I found online that I should do boiled eggs and wet dog food and heat it up then feed it to him on a spoon ill try that Im soaking dog food and making boiled eggs right now hes sleepy now but he was sure active at the barn!! Im guessing hes 3 weeks old?

 

[MarciaLove]

ok I gave him a bath in warm water and dried him off real well then changed the shavings in his nest but there are still mites left!! Not as many but still some is there something I can buy to get rid of them?? He is very active now and he keeps opening his mouth screeching for food.

 

[Betrisher]

I've written this a while back, but if you're having trouble feeding the baby, try offering him food with long forceps or tweezers. It's kind of like his mum's bill and probably more familiar than human fingers. Fingers crossed for the little fellow. Do you know what kind of bird he is?

 

[sssaucey]

Ok so the best thing that I have had luck raising baby birds on was dog food soaked in warm water. This is because most birds are insectivores when they are young, and the dog food supplies a good amount of animal protein while also making sure it isn't to much. Soaking it in water allows the baby to stay hydrated. Of course you will have to act as the mother by feeding him. I feed young birds by gently holding the side of their mouth to try and stimulate them to open their mouth, once it's open you can than put the food item in(I find using my fingers worked best) and push it to the back of the mouth. Do not push it to far to make sure the bird doesn't choke. Usually they get the idea quick and will readily except food from you.

Do not try to give a baby bird water it could cause more problems, such as getting it in his/her lungs. I supply a water dish once the bird is able to drink on it's own.

 

[MikeyTN]

To me that looks like a baby mocking bird. It's at the age where they start leaving nest. You shouldn't have picked him up! They're most likely still feeds him. You won't feel food in their crop sac! Most likely eating live food and such like crickets.

 

[MarciaLove]

The baby is a Mockingbird and doing really well he has lots of energy and I got him to eat a bit not quite enough but ill take it for now! I did dog food soaked in warm water and boiled egg all mushed up I used chopsticks to feed him cause I cant find any tweezers ill get some though cause I suck at using chopsticks Im also gonna make a trip out to get mealworms. Are you sure hes old enough, he wasnt able to fly at all and his parents werent around I was watching for them he also has lots of feathers that still need to fill in on his wings and tail.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I agree with Mikey, looks like a baby Mockingbird to me, too.

And yes, remove the water dish.

If there are still mites, you need to rinse him until he comes out clean.

I still think you should let a wildlife rehabber take him.

This will sound gross, but smashed crickets, mealworms, other insects should be fed either via pipette of forceps. Yes, soaked dog food will do for a while, but is really not an optimal diet for a baby Mockingbird. You will have to feed him from dawn til dusk, BTW.

 

[MarciaLove]

Ill look for a wildlife rehabber since I bet that would be best for him ill get crickets too then until I find a rehabber.

 

[MikeyTN]

I used to do a lot of wild bird study and yes sometimes they leave the nest at that age! They will fill out somemore as time goes by.

 

[sssaucey]

I forgot to mention that I also mixed in meal worms into their diet as well. Although I'm not that familiar with mockingbirds it still looks a little to young to have fledged. For most other birds they don't have that much down on their bodies before they leave.

 

[Mayden]

Not really related to your situation but for anyone else who comes across wild birdies you should generally take the approach of:

Is it feathered?
Yes.
Then it's a fledgling on it's first few outings of the nest. Parent birds are nearby but WILL NOT COME OUT because youre there. You can move the bird to a safer place if it's in the road or something but don't move it far from where you first found it.

If it's not feathered, + there are no sign of parents around then you have two choices, leave it near where you found it, but safe, or contact a wildlife rescue.

Mealworms and other 'live food' are best. But dog food heated with mushed up will do for a day or two until you can get them. Plastic tweezers are generally best used.

Good luck Marcia, people are giving you good advice here. I hope it goes well!

 

[crimson]

Marcia-
mites are easily transferable, even from your clothes.
considering you have many fids, please please remember to wash your hands thoroughly, and change your clothes before you go see or handle your other birds.
keep the same dishes for your mockingbird, when you wash your clothes put them directly right into the wash, not your hamper.
thank god you know about birds, and good luck!

 

[MikeyTN]

I forgot to mention that I also mixed in meal worms into their diet as well. Although I'm not that familiar with mockingbirds it still looks a little to young to have fledged. For most other birds they don't have that much down on their bodies before they leave.

Sometime the young get spooked and leave nest at that age cause I see it all the time but the parents will still feed them. Not long ago there was quite a few babies that size all over my yard, front and back....I worry about the because of my dogs don't hesitate to kill them so I have to always make sure they're gone or I chase them off before letting my dogs out...

 

[MarciaLove]

I have been changing mu clothes and hopping in my pool before going to see my birds I do not want them to get mites!!!! And yea I was so scared one of the barn cats or cooties would get him there are three barn cats that hunt anything and the coyote come often and kill the chickens