How to Raise a Wild Sparrow or Finch

Anyone who spends much time outdoors during springtime has probably seen baby sparrows or finches who have fallen from their nests. It's best to return them to their natural homes, but sometimes that's not possible. These helpless creatures can be saved, and they make great pets.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Shoe box
• Piece of screen
• White tissue paper
• Bread
• Milk
• Stick matches
• Bird cage
• Wild Finch seed
• Finch vitamins

1. Determine whether the baby sparrow or finch can safely be returned to its nest. If this is impossible, move on to step 2.
2. Gently place the chick in a shoe box lined with white tissue paper.
3. Soak a piece of bread in milk.
4. Place a small piece of the soggy bread on the non-sulphurous end of a wooden match stick and hold it near the chick's beak until it eats. This may require some gentle prodding. Repeat until the bird stops eating.
5. Place a piece of screen over the top of the shoe box.
6. Repeat step 2-5 until your sparrow or finch is weaned (about six weeks).
7. Move your sparrow or finch to a cage supplied with vitamin-amended water and seed.

Tips & Warnings

• White tissue paper is less likely to be treated with chemicals harmful to your bird.
• Mealworms are a rich source of protein for your mature sparrow or finch.
• Early on, your bird must be fed often, every two hours or so.
• Keep your bird in a safe place, away from curious pets or children who might harm it.
• Handle the young bird as little as possible.