How Do I Feed Baby Blue Birds?

Only feed a baby bird in the wild when it has been abandoned.

Baby bluebirds found in the wild will not survive alone. Human intervention can save these orphaned chicks. With some basic information and supplies, anyone can help an abandoned baby bluebird.

Baby Blues

If a female bird is scared away from her nest by humans, she will abandon her baby.

Observe the nest for about 4 hours to determine if the chicks are truly orphaned. If the mother bluebird is nearby and she feels like you have interfered, she will leave her babies. Make sure they don't have a mother bird around taking care of them.

Baby Bluebird Diet

Baby bluebirds need a diet high in protein.

A baby bluebird needs a diet high in protein to grow into a strong fledgling. Meal-worms and crickets can be found under old logs, pieces of lumber or rocks in the backyard. If these are not plentiful in nature, they may be obtained at a local shop that sells fishing bait. Other options are canned puppy and kitten food. Offer the food with blunt tipped tweezers.

Taking Flight

A male Eastern Bluebird sits on a stump.

A baby bluebird is dependent on its parents for food for about 15 to 20 days after hatching. Be prepared to care for it for 2 to 3 weeks. By the time it is three weeks old, it will be ready to spread its wings and fly away.

References

• National Geographic: Bluebirds
• The Audobon Society of Omaha: The Bluebird Box