I found a baby robin a few days ago but i think there's something wrong with it.?

Question

Ok to start, i know its illegal to have a baby bird or what ever, but i don't know where the closest place i could take it.

when i found it it was under a tree with the nest clear in sight.

so its not impossible that the mom kicked it out of the nest because there was something wrong.

but I'm hoping that its just something that I'm not feeding it, such as a vitamin or something. I've been feeding it hard boiled eggs, occasional worms, and a formula for baby birds. It seems as though he doesn't have the muscle to move his head. but he wasn't like this when i first found him. that's why i suspected that it was purely dietary.

is there something important that I'm missing?

or is it some neurological disease? (that what my dad said it might be)

Answer 1

It's a myth that after you touch a baby animal that the mother will have nothing to do with it.  Is it a fledgling and trying to learn how to fly?  Baby birds fall out of their nests all the time.  That's how they learn.  Most likely, mom and dad are pretty close and are watching and waiting for their kid to take off.

If you can't get it back in the nest, try feeding it soft dog food.  I live in Denver and for many years there was a woman here that we called the "Bird Lady" because that's what she did -- took care of birds that people found.  She would feed them soft dog food and kept them nice and cozy till they were able to go on their own.  Or call your local wildlife organization and they can help you out or a vet can also tell you the best place to contact.

Answer 2

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. 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. If you cannot reach the nest..you can make a "nest" using a basket or pail with handle and adding grass and twigs for warmth. Tie it up as close as possible to the original nest location. Watch from afar to see if adults are tending to the baby..keep your distance as you will be considered a predator and the parents will not come to feed if they see you. Also, keep in mind, it is illegal for you to try and raise this bird on your own. Look for a rehab here:

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

Answer 3

If you call a park they should know of a santuary to take it.  In the past i have found birds that lost the mother or fell out of a nest.  We always mixed a raw egg with wet cat food and fed it with a syringe or some eat it right off the spoon.  They do need to eat several times a day.  Then when it gets all of it's feathers we release them at a metro park by a pond as there are always people feeding ducks there.    

Answer 4

please find a wildlife rehabber in your area immediately if you want the bird to survive.  websites below.

Answer 5

First off, you shouldn't have taken the bird since you could see the nest. Second, no one can feed a baby bird like the mother does, you should have left it up to the mother. Third, you need to take it to the nearest wild bird rehabilitation center, they'll know what to do. Otherwise, that's it for the baby. I know you where trying to help it out, but you can't. Only the mother knows whats best and if she kicks the bird out than let it be. It's the cycle of life.

Answer 6

okay first let me point out that keeping a wild bird, whether sick, young, or whatnot is illegal unless you have a permit. You can be arrested for keeping it, and if you aren't 18 than your father or mother can for permitting you to keep it.

Secondly the worst thing you could have done was even touch it. Likely he fell out of the nest and the mother would have realized that he was gone and flew down to get him....or (if he has feathers and what not) was learning how to fly). Now the mother will not have anything to do with it since it will have your smell on it.

And if your right and has a health problem then it won't last long whether you are feeding it or not.

Call a Wildlife Rehabilitator, explain the situation, TELL them that you have it now....and see waht they suggest. They will know exactly how to take care of him, and will slowly release it into the wild if it lasts.

Answer 7

He's probably starving to death.

Baby birds leave the nest as soon as the can shuffle, walk, scurry, and perch. Often birds are 'rescued' with all good intention, while the birds are actually being closely monitored by their parents. The myth that birds leave their nest only when they can fly, is, well, a myth.

Parent birds basically let their kids hit the ground running, because nests are a dangerous spot.

As he's survived a few days, he was most likely fine and ready to leave. However, it's probably too late to get him back to his parents.

Feeding a bird a couple times a day is not enough. They need a rigorous diet, fed every HALF HOUR or more, if necessary, certainly with a small bird such as a robin. And they need that every day, all day. Remember a bird is a very small thing, and them going without food for say, two hours, which for us giant humans is fine, is not only cruel but fatal.

Another common mistake is that people will think baby birds need water, which they don't as they get enough through their diet, and people will think a syringe is the best way to go, accidentally squirting water down their throats and causing them to drown or damaging their lungs. This has nothing to do with stupidity, I'm not trying to berate you, I know you have all good intentions, it's simply the matter that baby birds are extremely hard to care for if you don't know anything about them.

Your best option is to call around any vets, shelters, anything animal in your area that may have the expertise needed to save this bird, though you may not have much luck as robins are common and there's not much sympathy out there for saving the billionth common bird.

If you can spend the time needed on this bird, however, you really have to commit. It IS dietary, and he IS starving. I can't say if he'll survive, and if he does, you'll have to decide what to do with him when he's older. But for now, see what you can do for him NOW. Anymore questions, there's a billion sites out there with bird raising guides.