Posted by Tricia Main on May 2, 2006

Q: What else besides live worms can I feed this baby Robin? It was found hopping around my back yard. It has no tail feathers nor any feathers on its neck. It is very content, but I have only had him 12 hours.

Habitat: suburban/yard

State: British Columbia

Habitat: suburban/yard

A: That baby is a fledgling. It has left its nest and its parents were feeding it until it could feed and navigate on its own. Please return it to the yard and allow the parents to resume care. Granted, they won't be with the baby all the time but will return again and again to feed. This is how the little guy will become more independent and eventually be totally on its own. The fact that you've touched the baby won't affect parental care. Thanks for asking - you can keep an eye on the baby but I think your little guy should do just fine.

John Wiessinger ( May 2, 2006)

A: Whoops, I had meant to send this additional info for you. This is our "generic" instructions for people finding a fledgling.

Time and time again, people find a baby bird, think itís abandoned, and ìrescueî it. Granted, there are times when it would be certain death to leave a baby where it is but often the baby is a fledgling and is being fed by its parents; it has not been abandoned. IF there is no other option and you do bring the baby(s) home to care for, be aware that this is a time-consuming project that may very well end in the death of your charge. Know too that there is a federal Migratory Bird Act that prohibits people from having native birds (there are a few exceptions) or parts of native birds in their possession at any time even if youíre trying to ìsaveî a bird. Will the authorities come looking for you with handcuffs? I donít think so, but you do need to be aware of this law.

So, if all else fails, and youíre all that stands between death or survival of a baby bird, weíll provide some information that should help you succeed. Most organizations that care for animals, like the A.S.P.C.A., do not have the time nor the knowledge for caring for baby birds so youíre probably going to be on your own.

Although it may sound silly, if you ìthink like a birdî, youíll be much closer to knowing how to care for your baby. Therefore, things like milk, sugar water, and bread are not suitable ñ nature doesnít provide these. Furthermore, since most birds are not active at night, you neednít feed your babies at night either ñ you can sleep.

Dos for caring for baby birds:

ï Baby birds without many/any feathers need to be kept warm (body should be warm to touch)

ï Baby birds need lots of different foods for a healthy diet ñ variety is the watchword

ï Most baby birds eat a wide-variety of rather soft-bodied insects ñ they need lots of protein for growth

ï Baby birds eat about every 20 minutes or so during daylight (dawn to dusk)

ï Baby birds should be encouraged to beg for food (open mouth with eager calling)

ï Baby birds have a swallowing reflex that is triggered when food is placed in the back of the mouth

ï Baby birds sleep at night and are not fed by their parents

ï Food can be skewered on a toothpick and placed in the babyís throat

ï If enough food isnít available, you can give dry cat food (see info below) as a temporary measure (NOT a steady diet)

Doníts for caring for baby birds:

ï Donít give water directly to your baby bird (they get enough in their food)

ï Donít give sugar water to your baby bird

ï Donít give ANY bread to your baby bird

ï Donít give ANY birdseed to your baby bird

ï Donít give a steady diet of any single food to your baby bird

ï Donít gear your babyís diet around worms

ï Donít give your baby bird a bath, it doesnít need one

Appropriate invertebrates you can look for include - flies, horseflies (remove the wings), grasshoppers without wings and legs, crickets, soft caterpillars, grubs, mealworms in small amounts, spiders, and earthworms in limited amounts. Avoid beetles, bees, wasps, ants, hairy caterpillars, and any hard-bodied insects. If you can get an insect net and sweep your yard or nearby field, youíll get lots and lots of good insects. You may need to be a bit selective so you donít use any bees or wasps, but youíll have many others to choose from.

Providing insects for your bird may become difficult at certain times so you may need to supplement its insect-diet with something else. Dry cat food can be moistened and made into small globs on a toothpick and offered. The cat food is higher in protein than dog food and will help sustain your bird until you can feed more appropriate foods. Do NOT provide a diet of just cat food or your bird will not be healthy and may not even live ñ this is only an interim measure.

If all goes well and your baby grows and develops, a time will come when you recognize that it needs to get ready to be on its own. In nature, when a baby leaves the nest, itís called a fledgling and although it may not fly well, can flutter here and there and usually ends up on a low branch in a bush or low tree. At this point the parents are still feeding their young even though they may not be obvious to the casual observer. This is one of the times many people think a baby bird has been abandoned. As ìyourî baby grows and gets to the point where it can flutter a bit, it should be allowed greater freedom. Even with this freedom, your bird will continue to let you know when it is hungry and needs food from you. Once it is coming to you for food youíve crossed a big hurdle and can now feed it when necessary but allow it to forage on its own too. Soon your baby will be coming to you less and less and eventually not at all ñ your baby has graduated and youíre a proud parent!

John Wiessinger ( May 2, 2006)