Feeding baby blackbirds?

Question

I had 3 baby blackbirds that fell 18 foot from a tree on to my patio earlier today.1 died after a few minutes.We tryed to put the 2 remaining back in the nest but it was too dense to find the nest.I have been feeding them watered down tinned dog meat once every hour with a pair tweesers.

Am I feeding them alright and how much should they have each in teaspoonfuls? I have been waiting until they refuse anymore.

Any tips on feeding would be great.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

If the bird is fully feathered, it is most likely a fledgling and has left the nest on it's own and it's parents are caring for it. It is normal for birds to leave the nest before they can fly.   You need to replace it where you found it..preferably in a scrub or tree so it is relatively safe from predators, and the parents should come back to feed it.  If it is unfeathered...then look for a nest and if you can find it...replace it into the nest. If you cannot reach the nest..you can make a "nest" using a basket or pail with handle and tie it up as close as possible to the original nest location for the parents to find.  Add grass, twigs etc. for warmth.   Do not worry about your scent being on the chick..birds have a very poorly developed sense of smell and will NOT reject a baby that has been touched.   Also, keep in mind, it is illegal for you to try and raise this bird on your own.  Look for a rehab here if you need one:

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contactA...

Answer 2

Firstly they will need to go in well ventilated box/tank/cage. (it must be ventilated as blackbirds are very prone to respiritory problems) Place an old towel at the bottom and under that put a heat pad/hot water bottle. (A makeshift hot water bottle would be to fill up a rubber glove with hot water and tie it at the top)

Baby birds are difficult to rear but it is possible. You can feed dog/cat food for a SHORT amount of time,( it contains to much salt to feed constantly, if you do the bird will loose fluids and die.)

Live food is the best when they are young, mealworms or waxworms (beware of wax worms, they are very watery)

If you dont have access to them then try digging up some worms from the garden. (Garden worms are not advised as they are toxic, but if you can wash, squeeze the mud from them and chop them up then you should be ok) Dried Meal worms are not to bad, but soak them in water for a while before you feed them to the bird. Maggots are also an alternative (just beware of the smell!) When they are young they will need feeding roughly every half an hour.

Tweezers are very useful for feeding, plastic ones are better as metal can be to sharp. If you cant get any of these then a (CLEAN) paint brush or even the end of a matchstick will do.

To feed you should either use the garden worms(as i described earlier) or if you managed to get meal worms then you need to cut the heads off (they are a bit to gristly!) Maggots should be chopped in half and dried mealworms just crumbled (after they are soaked).

Take a small amount of food on your tweezers/brush/matchstick and wiggle it above the birds heads. they should gape (open their mouths) and you can pop it in, give them all an equal amount.

If they are being stubborn then rub the food up and down the side of their mouths, if they still dont open up then you will have to force feed (Gently!!)

Take hold of one, in one hand (covering both his wings so he cant flap) and with the other use the edge of the feeding utensil to slide in the side if his mouth. Once the beak is open then you may have to get a second person the slip the food in.

You will be able to see how the diet is doing by looking at the birds poo. It should be in a little white "sack", not to wet, sloppy or smelly.

Water is not particularly important as baby birds in the wild get it from there food. If you feel they are a little dehydrated then dip a tiny paintbrush in water and drop it on the end of their beaks. NEVER force feed water, you will end up putting it down the birds lungs and killing them!

As they get older you will need to change the accommodation.

They will need to go into a bigger cage with perches and room to fly, you will need to persuade them to feed themselves by making them peck off the end of the feeding utensil and slowly move them on until they can eat and drink off a bowl/dish.

When they are almost ready to go you will need to sever all contact with them, making sure they are very nervy of people.

Releasing the birds.

Check list for garden birds

1. Can they fly?? (not just flutter)

2. Can they eat and drink by themselves??

3. Are they preening? (cleaning themselves)

4. Are they scared of you? (are you not able to touch them easily?)

5. Is it nice weather?

If you answer yes to ALL of those they are probably ready to go!

Just take them outside and launch them into the air (if they go crashing down onto the floor then take them back in..they werent ready!)

Feel free to message me

Hope that helps!

Good luck