Late this afternoon when my husband came home he pointed out two baby birds on our patio, just sitting there and helpless. There’s a large tree nearby which we believe they must have fallen out of, or were pushed out of, from their nest. I couldn’t bear to leave them there for a rattlesnake to eat them or some other predator. I filled a shoebox with tissues and paper towels (using gloves the entire time so I wouldn’t leave a human scent, in hopes their mama would come back and get them) sat them against each other for warmth and comfort (I’m sure they’re scared) and placed the box on top of our BBQ so hopefully a snake can’t get to them easily. So far they haven’t made a sound but they are still alive. I don’t know what type of birds they are but they are about 6 inches long and still babies. They’ve got to be hungry and very thirsty by now. What can I do to save their lives? Is there anything I can do? Will nature just have to take it’s course? As an animal lover this is killing me! Please give me some useful advice! Please! Is there anyway I can make them drink water? Too early for bird seed? How long can they live without food & water? I don’t know what else I can do for them, I did just place a towel over 3/4 of the box to try to keep them warm through the night. Will their mama come back to get them? If they don’t cry how will she find them? I know, a lot of questions but this is important to me.
Edit: To Wacky, The Wildlife Warden. There was no possible way to put these two poor birds back on a tree branch, this tree is so huge that the limbs are extremely high and well beyond my reach. These 2 poor babies landed very far away from the tree and will NOT make a sound. How is their mama supposed to find them at least 16 feet or more from the tree? Instead they were facing being eaten by snakes, which we happen to have crawling on our porch on a regular basis. I couldn’t bear the thought of that. If they must pass I would prefer it to be under better terms, together, warm, and not being eaten by a rattler!
As for the answer from (I don’t know?) who suggested I break their necks or use a hammer? Come on over and jump off this tree yourself! Then let me do the same to you. Or once your leg is broken I’ll leave you for the rattlers.
Both baby birds are still alive, thankfully! One was able to fly the very next day and the other is still not able to fly but seems to be getting stronger every day. It’s finally flapping its wings and eating insects. I’m not sure if it will ever make it but I hope so, I’ll put it back in the box to be safe for tonight, maybe by tomorrow it will be able to handle being 100% on it’s own. If not, then nature will have to sadly take its course. I’ve fallen in love with these two beautiful babies.
