The Care of Sick Baby Birds

Humans can care for a sick or injured bird.

The arrival of spring in the United States means the return of migratory birds from South America and points as far away as Australia. It also means it's not unusual to come across a baby bird that appears to be away from its mother and potentially ill. A sick bird requires special care that can be given by a foster mother in the absence of the baby bird's mother. The baby can thrive in a human's care and eventually be ready to enjoy life in the wild once again.

Things You'll Need

• Food for the bird
• Blunt tweezers
• Shoe box
• Paper towel
• Water

Instructions

1. Look around for the nest. Many times curious baby birds fall from their nest and become injured. The nest may be hidden, so you may have to look hard. Once you find the nest, carefully place the bird back into it. If the nest cannot be located, place the bird into a nearby tree. This will help keep the bird safe from potentially dangerous predators.

2. Wait two hours and watch for one of the bird's parents to return. The mother or father bird may have been out searching for food and will return soon. If the two hours expires and there is no parent, the baby bird may be an orphan, which means you can take it home to care for it.

3. Take the sick bird to the veterinarian. He can tell you first and foremost if you should be caring for the bird at all. If the vet determines the baby bird can survive in your care, he also can give you tips on how to care for the sick bird.

4. Feed the bird a diet high in protein, such as dog food or raw kidney, once every day. The food should also be room temperature. To feed the bird, raise its head with one hand while keeping the other on the bird's back. Lightly tap the bird's beak to signal that it is time to eat. Drop a small amount of food into the bird's throat with blunt tweezers. The amount of food given will depend on the size of the bird. Give the baby bird a few ounces of water each day with a dropper.

5. Keep the bird in a shoe box filled with several piece of paper towel. The paper towel should be changed each time the bird voids. Keep the shoe box in a warm place that is away from any cool drafts.

6. Watch the bird's progress. If it is becoming well, keep the bird until it is large enough to be let go, which can take several weeks. To determine if the bird is large enough, take it to an enclosed area and drop it a few inches onto the ground. Once the bird is able to fly and can sustain the flight, it is time to let the bird go. Release the bird in an area with a sustainable food source that also contains other birds of the same species.

7. Inform the veterinarian if the bird is not getting any better. He or she can determine whether the bird should be hospitalized.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact your local game warden for further information. It may be illegal in your state to care for a wild bird. If that is the case, hand the injured bird to your veterinarian or the game warden for care.

References

• Aviary Owls: "Abandoned" Birds