How long can a baby bird live without food?

Question

found two baby birds tonight.... to late to take them to get medical attention. How long can they last without food before they die.

Answer 1

Not Long.....   Baby birds need to be fed every 20-30 minutes for 12 hours of the day.  You need to get some dog food or cat food and soak it in water to the consistency of oatmeal. In a pinch you can use canned  food but dry is better in the long run. (long term there is a actual recipe for them) Then you need to feed it to them on the end of a stir stick or a straw cut to a spoon,  Never feed worms, bread, milk, NEVER put liquids in their mouths as the could end up with aspiration pneumonia and die. They also need to be put in a container lined with something like paper towel and then drape a towel loosely over top.  If you have a heating pad place the container on top.  Please visit http://www.starlingtalk.com/emergencycar... for all the info you need also join the message forum at starlingtalk.net, there are people around the clock there willing to help.....  

you will also need to find a wildlife rehabber in your area to take the birds and raise them for release

DO not use an eydropper, do not give water, you can drown a baby bird

"Any Updates on how the babies are doing?"

Also baby birds will sleep all night and do not need to be fed...

Answer 2

NOT LONG AT ALL

probably only a half hour

you can try to feed it some baby rice cereal mixed with water or cream of wheat with an eyedropper

or just plain water

poor birds :(

Answer 3

Depending on the bird if it is a wild bird it needs more feeding during the day as opposed to a large parrot or cockatiel. Do you know the species of the baby bird you are asking about?  I hope you are not planning to remove a wild bird from the nest, and if you found a baby bird call your local ASPCA and turn it in to them as they will know what to do.

Answer 4

It's tough to answer your question, with such limited details.

Do not feed or handle the birds.  Baby birds do not eat during the night.  They will be fine without food until the morning.  Feeding them the wrong food, or feeding them the wrong way can kill them faster than not feeding them at all.

Uninjured babies belong with their parents.  There are usually two parents who tend to the chicks.  That is their best hope.  Being with humans is the last (and worst) option.

If they are nestlings who are bald, or only have down or pin feathers - they should be returned to the nest.  It should be located directly above the spot where they were found.

If they are fully feathered - they are fledglings and do not belong in a nest.  They should be returned the same area and left under, or in the low branches of a bush or shrrub.

After returning the birds - leave the area, so the parents can return.

You mentioned that they need medical attention?  If they are injured or if they have been attacked by a cat, they need a wildlife rehabilitator - not a pet vet.

If the birds are injured, or if there is no way to return them to their parents, please bring them to a wildlife rehabilitator first thing in the AM.

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...