I did initially take it home to give it a tiny bit of water as it is a VERY hot day- anyway i took it back for about an hour to see if the mother would come back but when i returned the bird was freezing (it has no feathers but they do look like they are starting to come out). Anyway i have taken it back home and put it in a box with paper towels/grass and some old nest that we found at the bottom of our garden- i have been feeding it every 20 mins since with mushed up dog food and the occasional bit of water- the bird definately seems to have perked up and has begun moving it head more and twitching and the last time i fed it it even made some noises- is there anything else i can do to make sure the bird has the best chances? i have read up on it but i just want to know if there is any more info? thanks x
- will it become dependent on me as its mother as i will be leaving home in a month – is this too soon?
Take it to a shelter I use to own a hotel there were bird all over the place. Test it for rabies.
I own over 300 show budgies and have bred thousands of chicks. I am admin of a budgie forum
I own parrots, finches and canaries. I am a member of 3 exhibition budgerigar clubs
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you should keep him warm and dry, wrapped in blankets with his head sticking out on a heating pad on low/medium heat should work. feeding him mashed up dog food is not the best food for him. you should catch some worms grind them up with a little water and corn meal and he should be fine. the best thing you can do for him would be to take him to an ASPCA. if you don’t have one a vet can give you very good advice, pet stores are a big help to.
ps. he probably already thinks of you as his mother although he will be okay if someone else takes care of him while you are gone
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I own parrots, finches and canaries. I am a member of 3 exhibition budgerigar clubs
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Maddie you make a good point but the heating pad can damage the bird since it needs warmth all around! I raise birds and what you need is a lamp of some kind that can produce heat for little bird. Good luck!!!
Yes it will become dependent on you because it has bonded with you, it depends on if he has feathers(fully grown) and if he is strong.
P.S. Dog food isn’t that good for him, feed him bread soaked in water or chick feed (you can find at pet stores)
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I own parrots, finches and canaries. I am a member of 3 exhibition budgerigar clubs
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The bird you found is a nestling, and it belongs in the nest. Since they can’t fly, and nestlings can’t move well, they are usually found right under the nest.
If you can find the right nest, with at least one other living chick, and reach it – please put the bird back into the nest.
If you cannot find or locate the nest, please locate a wildlife rehabilitator who takes songbirds. Native wild birds are protected by law. Rehabilitators are trained and licensed to house, raise, treat, and re-release orphaned, abandoned and injured wild animals. Services are typically free to the public.
Here is a link to locate a rehabber in your area:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm
Also try searching Yahoo or Google for “wildlife rehabilitation” and your state or country.
Other resources may include your state’s DNR or DFG, local humane society, animal shelter, animal control, ASPCA, RSPCA, RSPB, or Audubon chapter. Most should be able to provide you with assistance, or contact information.
Without knowing the species it’s impossible to give accurate feeding instructions, but dog food is usually a better option than bread and water.
Please don’t give water. They get their moisture from the food.
Yes, if you keep the bird, handle it, or talk to it, you will risk imprinting, and complicate release. It should be returned to the nest, or given to rehabbers asap.
I own over 300 show budgies and have bred thousands of chicks. I am admin of a budgie forum
I own parrots, finches and canaries. I am a member of 3 exhibition budgerigar clubs
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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. 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.htm
me: ornithologist (bird biologist)
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