The neighbor's cat killed the mother of a baby bird, how can I take care of the baby?

Question

Our neighbor's cat climbed into a tree and knocked down the nest into our yard, and killed the mother bird. Only one little baby bird survived, and we put her in a cloth to keep her warm.

She is currently living in a little Rubermaid shoe tub (Roughly 1.5ft by 6) and it seems to love applesauce. There are no wildlife rescue centers nearby, and a vet is too expensive at the moment for this baby bird. Is it possible to raise it? If so, how and what steps are mandatory? I know that the baby birds have a strict nutrition diet, so what is that?

If I cannot raise it, how can I keep it alive? That's all I'm concerned with; I don't want this little baby bird to die. :(

Answer 1

This bird needs a wildlife rehab..check here to see if you can find something closeby.  Some may be willing to pick the bird up from you as well:

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

Also, you might first try placing the remaining baby into a basket with a handle and making a warm "nest" for it inside the basket with grass and othe natural items.  Take the basket and tie it up as close to the original nest location as possible...in most bird species..BOTH parents will feed the babies..so the male may still be out there searching for his nest.  It is possible the dead bird was in fact the male and the mother is still alive.  Watch the new nest from afar (if you are too close the bird will not come)  to see if the other parent is coming to feed.  Watch continually or you may miss the visits.  If after a few hours you see NO sign of a bird trying to get near the nest then get the bird to a rehab.

Answer 2

For temporary care of the baby bird, you will want to get some dog food.  Soak the dog food in water until it is soft.

Feeding should occur about every 15 - 30 minutes during day light hours (you do not need to wake a baby bird up during the night to feed it - consider that mom and dad bird are generally also asleep).  

Feeding:

Get a small cup of water - to give the bird a drink, dip your finger in the water and then shake the excess off (you don't want water getting into the birds' lungs).  Put your finger in the birds mouth but do not let the bird "suckle" your finger.  Some will do that.

Soft dog food - break off small bites and using your fingers, place the food in the birds' mouth.  Be sure that it swallows a bite before giving it another.

Feed until full =)

*However*  if the bird is a cardinal or grackle only give it 3 bites every 10 - 15 minutes.  They are over eaters.  

Call your local Wildlife and Fisheries for a rehablilitator near you.  It's their job to keep a current list of who is in the business of caring for song birds.

Answer 3

I am with you. dont be worried. Get some fresh baby cerealmix ,dilute it in a semi liquid form, mix some lentil or gram pasted with a mixer, take a dropper,put the nozzle in the birdie"s mouth,press little.the chick will swallow it. Do all with ultimate care. You can also mix some enzymes for babies of a few drops.Do it for 5 to 7 times a day whenever the crop is empty. It is situated just below the neck. Keep it always warm.Good luck.

Answer 4

there's likely a bird rescue or someone who does bird rescues close by you.  I'd call a local vet, they usually can direct you to the right person.   My mother and I raised a baby bird once when I was a kid.  It was a lot of work.  She had to get up every couple of hours, all night, to feed the baby bird with a syringe.   She had to take it with her to work.   Then I'd spend all afternoon feeding it and changing it's "bedding".   We were told by our local bird rescue person to feed it mushed up bread and a special formula that was sold in the pet store.  Applesauce is probably not the best idea. Seriously though, it's a very time consuming endeavor and I would at least call a couple of  vets for a referral to someone who has down this before and is willing to do this again.  Alot of bird rescue people are running things privately out of their homes as opposed to actual wildlife rescue centers.  Good luck.

Answer 5

please talk to your neighbor and ask that they keep their cat inside so this does not happen again.  cats roam and spread disease and p**p all over.  there is no reason that the cat is allowed outside.  good luck with the baby bird.  call your local dnr and they can help you.