Posted by Lilly on May 17, 2005

Q: Hello.I have a 15 day old Sparrow and I am doing my best to care for it.I am planning on releasing it when it is ready but I recently read that sparrows must learn how to "sing".If they don't learn how to sing they can't attract mates and they won't be able to claim property.I was wondering how can I teach the baby Spparow to sing?I understand it is a very crucial part of development for the bird.

A: You won't be able to "teach" it how to sing but allowing it to hear other adult sparrows singing would be helpful. There is a period in a young bird's life when it is especially receptive to the songs and calls of its own species and they do learn parts of their own species's vocalizations at this time. But, birds also have an ability to sing some of their own species' song even if they've never heard it before. Usually these songs are "poorly" sung but they approach the ability of birds that have been exposed to others of their own species. The more exposure you can provide your bird to others the better and when it comes time to release it, it should stand a better chance of survival. Don't expect to release your bird at a given moment. You should allow the bird to gradually become more and more on its own but always able to return to you for food. Eventually it will leave and not return - that's when you know you've done your job! Good luck to you and your bird.

John Wiessinger ( May 18, 2005)