What to do when a baby bird arrives on your doorstep?
Calling all bird lovers! 🐥
Yesterday a young bird appeared in our courtyard and spent the afternoon pooping everywhere and calling for it's mother. The bird cannot yet fly but was very grateful for the worms we were able to dig up and feed directly into its open mouth.
In the evening the mother appeared with a beak full of worms but wouldn't descend into the courtyard. It was evident she was the mother because she had the same sounding call and was clearly a bit distressed.
There are many cats in this village and one of them has found a way to get into our courtyard so we have done our best to make the bird safe in this sealed off area.
My family all seem pretty excited about the visitor and at one point in the afternoon when the bird home was created there was a spontaneous dance from everyone!
Naturally I did my best to join in while lying on the ground...
It is 4.30am now and the bird is sleeping safe under a cardboard roof but the birdsong around us is just starting and I have no idea what is the best thing to do today?
I am conscious that the mother bird cannot return its baby to the nest and will only continue looking for a few days before its maternal instincts fade.
So... in a village full of cats what is the best course of action here???
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We raise a baby blue jay once. We found it on the ground outside of our house. I think what had happened was that it had tried to fly before it was actually ready. And just like your situation, my neighbor had cats. So, I already had a Birdcage. So Into The Birdcage with the bird. And we smashed up worms and fed them to it until it was big enough to fly. It was only a couple of weeks. When we let it go it took off like it hadn't missed a beat. I would guess that if you don't have an objection to having the baby bird in your house, you could do this also. Either way to keep it safe from the cats it will probably need to be in a much safer place. I don't think that the cardboard roof will stop a determined cat. Well at least not for long. Oh by the way, in my life we have also raised a baby deer two baby raccoons a BUNCH of opossums and three baby squirrels. It's so much fun to have the little animals around. But it's always so sad when you have to let him go. I think it's great that you're trying to rescue this little guy. And regardless of what your decisions are I wish you the best. Tell your family hello and I send my love to all of them.
Sounds like a glorious life to me! You are a good man looking after all those animals. If only we had more space (and more wildlife at our door!) I would love that too.
Bird in the house won't go down too well with Sabrina so for now it must be outside. Its little home will get some major structural upgrades today instead!
Will keep you informed what happens but I suspect we have just adopted a new friend... for a few weeks :)
That is very good to hear that you will be able to give it a better home. Hopefully it will keep the Cats Out. And if not, well at least one of them got a meal. And yes, please keep us all posted on how the little guy is doing. If he makes it until you release him, can you please make a video so we can watch him fly free? Thank you so much for loving the way that you do and protecting those who need protection. I know that our creator will bless you for these things.
In general it is difficult to help baby birds that have fallen out of or have been pushed out of their nest. In just the first few weeks, maybe 25 days is my estimate for this size baby bird, they need enough nutrition to grow a full set of feathers and to grow to adult size. Then they often need help feeding from a parent birds they learn to fend for themselves. I think your best bet is to find the nest and put the bird back in the nest. If you can't do that I'd suggest as secure a "pen" as is possible, and hope that it can fend for itself if it lives until it can fly. Good luck. Unfortunately this is a common scenario as mortality in baby birds is high.
Thanks very much for your detailed response. The nest is high up in a tree so no chance with that. It would seem that the mother has found the baby as we have seen her a few times now coming with worms... so I guess that's good.
With both of us feeding it, flight can't be too far off. But as you say, it may not have the skills to feed itself after that. Am hoping it won't fly too far and the mother should be able to help out still...
Whatever happens it has all been a great learning experience for the kids!
Nice.
You are so very welcome. I'm working at establishing a birding community here on Steemit.
well , I guess you're just stuck with it, it would be a shame that after saving it, to get rid of the little thing
For sure we are keeping him till those little wings of his can fly him out of our courtyard. The mum has been coming to feed him every day...
now that's a great great news,
are you still feeding it???
I usually feed such birds since I live in a village and there are a large number of birds in our area.
It's a great thing to do. Especially for the kids :)
Oh no! I hope baby bird gets home somehow safely! Poor mama bird! Keep us updated please! Would love to know how this turns out!
Mamma bird is around. We've seen her a few times now so I guess she knows what's going on... and with both of us feeding the baby I am guessing it will fly off pretty soon! Will keep you informed ;)
Fingers crossed baby flys off with mama soon!
wait with the camera ? :) kidding...
Is the nest reachable? awkward situation.
Actually that's not a bad idea. Would love to get shots of the mother feeding the baby!
Nest to reachable, so will just have to keep finding worms till it flies off...
@samstnehill, You are an angel and so are all in your family. Sending some love and Healing right now for the little birdie. I know it will live to fly away as you so desire it to be.
Blessings!!
Better than just live it will experience the joy of human children before learning to fly. The mum has been coming every few hours with food now she understands the situation. Everything is perfect... and the kids are loving it :)
Thank you for your positive flow.