How do you take care of a baby blue jay?

Question

we found a baby blue jay and we hurd the mom cherping for it but it could not find it. we hurd other babys but i saw a hauk and i think it got them and now we have a baby blue jay and the mom is not cherping for it and we know how to take care of it because my dads a vet but me and my mom are the ones who are ganna try to nures it back but we need to know how do you take care of a blue jay intill its ready to fly. because we cant find the nest and the mother stoped looking . can u help me and also give me some tips on what to feed it like we are giving it mushed up cat food with water and it seems to like it but somthing that a 13 year old girl that has some exsperence can do. thanks

Answer 1

If you're in the U.S., it's illegal for you to care for the bird under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, unless you have a wildlife rehabilitation permit.  You can find a list of permitted wildlife rehabilitators in your area at:

http://www.wildlifeinternational.org/EN/...

If you're not in the US:

If the baby isn't feathered yet, keep it around 35 C or so.  Decrease the temperature as the feathers appear, until the baby is fully feathered, when it can be kept at normal room temperature.  

Induce the baby to gape by moving your hand or tweezers above the baby's head - it should open it's mouth and peep.  Never feed if it's not begging, or it could aspirate.  Feed high-protein kibble (e.g., soaked Feline Science Diet, small size) with a tweezers, followed by one or two mLs of Pedialyte or other electrolyte solution.  Feed every 30 minutes for at least 16 hours a day for young birds, reducing feedings and increasing time between feedings as the baby grows.  

Blue jays imprint on humans very easily, so it's critical to limit handling as much as possible, if you're going to release the bird into the wild.

Answer 2

The best chance of survival for the blue jay is for you to get it to a wildlife rehabilitation place of some kind or call your local vet to find someone with experience.  If you cannot locate one at this time, the best thing to do is to get some dog kibble and moisten it with water until it's soft enough to mush up.  This is the best food for the blue jay.  Cat food does not have the same nutrients as the dog food.  Feed the softened dog kibble to the blue jay with tweezers.  Do not give the bird water, as this will cause the bird to aspirate.  They get all the water they need from their food.  They have to eat every 30 minutes to 1 hour.  If you are unable to do this, the bird will die.  The best thing to do is to get the bird to an expert if you want it to live.  Have it in a cage, preferably with a perch. Keep the bird warm.  Do not talk to the bird or name it, as the bird will imprint and never want to leave you.  You want the bird to go back into the wild.  That is where they belong.  They may come back to visit you but it's important to get them back out into the wild where they belong.

Answer 3

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. Keep your distance or the parents will not come as you would be considered a predator.  You can watch from AFAR to see if the parents are tending to the baby.  If it is unfeathered...then look for a nest and if you can find it...replace it into the nest.  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.  If you cannot find a nest, get the bird to a local wildlife rehab for it's best chance of survival.  Also, keep in mind, it is illegal for you to try and raise this bird on your own. They are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.  Even vets are not licensed to care for wild baby birds.  Look for a rehab here:

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