Question:

HELP! Baby Swallow Bird?

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Last week I found a swallow nest in my backyard. There are 3 babies. Yesterday was very hot so they decided to jump out of the nest to find a cooler spot. I went out into the backyard to check on them every 5 minutes and they kept falling out. I did not touch them at all so I know the mama bird didnt just push them out. They were so hot they were panting for air so I gave them water with a syringe. Today I went in to check on them and all of them were on the ground. 2 of them were fine but the other 1 wasnt. It was breathing very hard and its wing wouldnt fold back into place, and its little claws wouldnt move. (I think it broke its wing) My family & I think that a wildlife refuge wont take it just because it is so little and helpless. Plus, the refuge isnt open. Is there any way we can help it? If there is, what do we do? I put it in a little bow with a folded towel and a lamp over it for heat... is that good enough? I have tried to feed it but it wont open its mouth. Please help!

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  1. If they are fully feathered they did not leave the nest due to heat..they left the nest because they are ready.  Baby birds leave the nest before they can fly...this is normal.  They will hop around on the ground and their parents will feed them until they learn to fly.  Birds pant when they get hot..this is normal also.  You should not be giving them water..you can easily drown a baby bird by doing this if you are not experienced.  As long as the parents are still tending to the babies let them be. If you are approaching the chicks often..you could be keeping the parents from feeding them as you would be considered a predator. You can watch from a distance to make sure the parents are tending to them.   As for the one that you think is injured..if it truly does have a broken wing it needs to be taken to a wildlife rehab.  

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


  2. They don't need heat.  They don't need water.  Both of these things can kill them.

    Do not attempt to feed, force water, or treat these birds.  

    Baby birds leave the nest (fledge) as soon as they are feathered.  They are called fledglings and they cannot fly.  They learn to fly from the ground - not the nest.  Uninjured fledglings should never be "rescued" and they should not be put back in the nest.  Every time they jump - they risk injury.  

    Put the uninjured birds back where you found them, preferably under a bush or in the low branches, and then leave the area.  Stay out of the area completely so the parents can return.

    The injured bird will need a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.  It's injuries must be treated immediately, or it will die.

    Check this link for worldwide listings:

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

    In the US, rehabilitation is regulated by the Federal government and State DNR (Dept of Natural Resources), or Dept of Fish and Game. Services are free to the public, as all native wild birds are protected by federal law.

    There are several sites with listing of rehabbers, although the easiest way to find one is to search Yahoo! or Google for "wildlife rehabilitation" + your state (try both full and abbreviated). Also search on DNR or DFG + rehabilitation + your state.

    You may be able to find a contact for a nearby rehabber through your local humane society, animal shelter, or police department.

    Links are also available on these sites:

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

    http://www.greenpeople.org/sanctuary.htm

    http://www.iwrc-online.org/

    http://wrcmn.org/public/default.asp

    http://www.wildliferehabilitators.com/li...

  3. Go to this site for help

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