I found a fledging sparrow but I think the parents have left, what do I do?

Question

Every year, a couple of sparrows (not sure if it's the same) nest in the birdhouse we built our backyard. They lay eggs and we always watch these loyal parents look for food and feed their adorable babies. Today however, my little dog went into the bushes and caught a baby sparrow, who I believe is a fledging sparrow, for when forced her to spit it out, it tried to fly but only went a few inches into the air. We put the baby back into the house so it would be safe and sound away from our dogs or any preditors. Like I said, the parents have been loyal and we see them all the time, but so far I have been in and out of the yard several times and have seen no parts flying by. If I don't see any parents by tomorrow, should I take action? We put bird food into the house just in case...

Answer 1

If the bird is fully feathered, it's a fledgling, and it was supposed to be on the ground.   It should not be in the nest.

Baby birds leave the nest (fledge) before they can fly.  They have to learn from the ground.

Please leave the bird on the ground, or in the low branches of a bush -  in a safe spot away from your dog.

In addition, you should never, ever, put food anywhere near a nest - you will attract predators.   Do not feed the baby, and stay out of the area, so the parents can return.  They will avoid the area if any predators, including you, are near.

The parents will only stop briefly to feed their young.  You may not see them.  Anything more can draw attention to the young.

Answer 2

a friend once raised baby birds that had been abandoned by the parents...he fed them moist canned dog food by putting some on a toothpick & sticking it into their mouths.

Answer 3

raise it untill it can fly..all you got to do is chop up some meat, everytime it is hungry...when its time for it to fly like when i starts flapping then like push it off from a high place...it should fly..i mean not a real high place but just like keep doing that till if flys...