ALABAMA WILDBIRD
CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

Devoted to Helping Birds from the Backyard to the Boondocks

HOME

                    
Help, I've Found A Baby Bird!
This article contains three other pages. Click a title to move to the page..

Emergency Care of Orphan Birds

We do not recommend that you do anything beyond providing emergency care for baby birds. We do recommend that you make a determined effort to place the orphan bird (or other wildlife) with a qualified wildlife rehabber. click here to see a directory of individuals and organizations that take in orphan birds and other wildlife.

Until you can get the orphan situated this is what you should do....

Keep the youngster secure and warm.
Down-covered young birds should be kept in a cardboard box indoors away from pets and small children and out of direct sun or drafts. Keep the temperature in the box between 80 and 90 F. A lamp with a 40 or 60 watt bulb should provide enough heat, but don't put the lamp directly over the bird. This won't be necessary if the bird is fully feathered. Cover the box to cut down on disturbance to the bird, eliminate drafts, and prevent the bird from getting out of the box. Put an artificial nest made of a margarine or similar container lined with paper towels in the box. This will provide support for the bird.

Give it something to eat.
The best emergency food for a baby bird is dry cat food soaked in water until it is completely wet and soft. Break the food into small pieces and place them in the bird's mouth. The wet cat food will provide all the liquid necessary. Do not try to get the baby to drink water. Nestlings require frequent feedings, as much as every 30 minutes from dawn to dark.

The two procedures above are for short term care only. If you are unable to place the orphan with a rehabber, or take leave of your senses and try to care for it yourself, use the "Long Term Care of Orphan Birds" link below to see what you are in for.

Frequently Asked Questions  |  Long Term Care of Orphan Birds  |  Directory of Wildlife Rehabbers

Return to Bird Information Index