How long can a baby bird last without eating?

Question

We found a Least Flycatcher in our backyard. Its about 3 weeks old, and has all its feathers and eyes are open. It can't fly yet, and we can't find it's mother.

We have decided to take care of it, until it is old enough to live on its own. I just want to know how long it can live without food (b/c when school starts, it will be home alone, and on weekdays, we have swim lessons for 4-5 hrs.)...and it would be easier if you gave me a website with facts sbout these birds :) Thanks!

Answer 1

well, i dont think you can really take care of it...i am really sorry. it probably fell out of the nest. if you could find the nest though, you might be able to put it back, where the parent might take it back, but other than that... birds regurgitate food, and i dont think you can mimick that. oh, and to other comments, the parents wouldnt take care of it on the ground, they do what they can in the nest, but not on the ground, and they dont intentionally leave the nest b4 they can fly... sorry, but another person's comment was wrong...anyway, good luck!

Answer 2

the best thing to do is put this baby bird back where you found it!

Most of the time, when we take in a wild bird and try to "save it", it generally cannot survive without the parents.

The reason why you would want to put it back is simply this -

when a "fledgling" falls out of the nest, it goes to the ground.    IT cannot quite fly yet, but the parents continue to feed it in the vicinity where it landed.

The baby will call to the parents and the parents WILL find it!  

This is the reason why "wildlife" reserves ask that we do not take them.    The parents can take the best of care of them.

Its like search and rescue.    The baby will hide when it feels endangered, but those parents will instinctively find it.

A baby bird will start to die in about 1-1/2 days without food, and in less than a day without water / moisturized food from the parents.

If it is too late to put the baby back, then you may need to call someone with a wildlife licence who can come and get them, feed them and place them back in the wild.

this is best!    We must help to preserve the populations out there, and in doing so, you will share a very loving part in this.

i hope this helps!

Answer 3

Taking care of it yourself is not going to work. Put the bird back where you found it and don't go near it. The parents are there but are hiding from you and won't go near it until you leave. They are teaching the bird to find food and to fly.

Even though you want to help the bird, you will not be able to take care of the bird properly and it will die. If after several hours the parents are not around, call your local animal shelter or wildlife center. In most states it is illegal to keep a wild bird so do what is best for the bird. If you want a bird of your own, read up on pet birds and spend some time at pet stores or animal shelters to learn more about them.

Answer 4

If it is a wild bird,it will most likely die if you mess with it. Put it on a bush and pray that mom comes to take care of it.The less you touch it the better chance it has.wild birds will crash into stuff and kill themselves if caged up.We did raise a bluejay once,it died at 8 years of age.

Answer 5

The bird you found is a fledgling.  Baby birds leave the nest before they can fly.  It was supposed to be on the ground.

Put it back where you found it.  The parents are in the area, and they will take care of their own baby.  Don't worry about the parents rejecting it.  Birds cannot smell humans.

Please be aware that it is illegal to capture wild birds, and illegal have them in your possession.  They are protected by law.

This bird does not need your help.  If you don't return it to it's parents, you will kill it.

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/advice4....