Baby bird

[stripee]

I've been given a little bird by a neighbour whose dog had got it. I think it might be a baby wren or dunnock, its hard to say, its brown and very small without much tail feathers with a white bit under its beak . I thought it would die but it is getting stronger, and demands feeding from dawn to dusk! At what stage should it be released, and any ideas where? It could go back near where it was found, but cats and dogs around. How will it fledge without parents or is it doomed? I will try to upload a photo later. Thanks

[stripee]

[Cazzie]

Aww! Poor little mite Definately a fledgling - look at that yellow gape! Not sure what it is tbh, maybe a wren but it's got a very pale throat area and isn't very mottled?

Anyway, what are you feeding it? Scrambled egg cooled down(no milk or butter) is very good for little ones (full of protein). We had a little sparrow a couple of months ago that we rehabilitated and she loved it! Because the egg is already wet it won't need extra water She then moved onto canary mix, but if you've got a wren, then it'll need insects instead!

You can only release it when it can feed on it's own and is in top condition. This could take anything up to a couple of weeks so be prepared. Can it perch yet? Try putting a few sturdy twigs/branches in whatever you're keeping it in and keep an eye to see if it's making the effort to perch.

I wouldn't worry about where to release it yet as I think it's going to be with you for a while longer! If you don't feel you can look after it for that amount of time then see if you can track down a wildlife rescue near you that could take it on.

Keep us updated and I hope the little one does well!

[clover green]

Hi Stripee, I can't add anymore to the advice already given, but do please let us know how the wee little thing progesses?

[stripee]

Thanks for repliesThere is tweeting whenever I go near. It's in an old bird cage, I have put an oak branch with twigs so it can practise perching. And its on top of a plant propagator to keep warm. It got out of the cardboard box it came in and was nearly squashed under foot as it tried to get out of the door...So it has used up a couple of lives already. I'm using some Burns puppy pellet things which I'm soaking so they are soft. Will try the egg too. Perhaps it will get some more distinctive feathers. Could it be a sparrow?

[Cazzie]

^ Puppy pellets Are 'you' feeding it or is it feeding by itself? Is it drinking from a water dish? - just wondering!

Nope, it's not a sparrow - the feathers are too dark. I think it could still be a wren with that pale patch on it's throat area. Aww, bet it's really diddy! Good idea to have gotten it into an old bird cage - at least it's safe and secure now.

[naturelover]

Originally Posted by stripee

Thanks for repliesThere is tweeting whenever I go near. It's in an old bird cage, I have put an oak branch with twigs so it can practise perching. And its on top of a plant propagator to keep warm. It got out of the cardboard box it came in and was nearly squashed under foot as it tried to get out of the door...So it has used up a couple of lives already. I'm using some Burns puppy pellet things which I'm soaking so they are soft. Will try the egg too. Perhaps it will get some more distinctive feathers. Could it be a sparrow?

hi cazzie i bread cockatiels and feed them egg food that you can get from the pet shop,you mix it with a little water to reseble wet bread crumbs,that should keep the little darling going for a while.

[Vixen]

EMP mix with water, is the best baby bird food.

you can releace it, when it can fly properly.

[stripee]

Yes thanks for replies, I remember feeding that eggy stuff to a bird before....not so good today the baby bird. The alarm didn't go off so it got fed a bit late this morning But isn't moving about so much as yesterday Still eating but not with yesterday's enthusiasm but I'm keeping it warm and will try the other foods. I'm putting the food down its beak with tweezers when it gapes. I don't like the sound of a little click in its breathing which sounds like a cold.

[Eco-Logical]

It is a small fledgeling, i think it either a wren or more likely a dunnock? do you have a wildlife sanctuary close to where you live perhaps? They may be the best suited to looking after this little one. It is a brave and stirling effort you are doing in trying to raise it yourself, but i always think it is doubly galling if they dont make it? You feel as if you have let it down? When of course it may have died anyway?
When cats or dogs even break the skin of birds be it old or young, they have to be taken to specialists, because the infection from their teeth or claws can give them septicemia?

I do hope that the poor little thing makes it though and wish you luck with your eforts.

Eco