Baby sparrow (help!)

[jillyfish]

Just found the second baby sparrow that has fallen from the roof. This one much younger than the last that was raised by the local wildlife centre. Going to keep this one and hopefully release it. In shredded newspaper and feeding it liquidised cat food via a syringe. Thanks for the right side of the mouth tip! How long will it be before it can fly BTW?

[ailish]

hi i too have just rescued an injured baby sparrow that is too young too fly the parents are keep coming to check on it but im not sure what to do whether to leave it outside with the parents or bring it in till it can fly please help thanks ailish

[valleyforge]

Originally Posted by ailish

hi i too have just rescued an injured baby sparrow that is too young too fly the parents are keep coming to check on it but im not sure what to do whether to leave it outside with the parents or bring it in till it can fly please help thanks ailish

Hi Ailish and welcome to the forum.

In what way do you think it is injured?

If it just can't fly because it's is too young, then it's normal for fledglings to leave the nest before it can fly, and to be fed by the parents on the ground.

Did you rescue it from a cat?

Your answers to these questions will determine whether or not the bird should be immediately released, or receive veterinary attention.

[jillyfish]

Pleased to report that "Dickie Bird" is now five weeks old, it is a female! She loves meal worms,oats,millet and seeds. I heard that if the bird doesn't kill the meal worm prior to eating the worm will eat the bird from the inside. Dunno about this as she was taking them during weaning and eating them happily enough. She does kill them now she is eating unaided. She is not a keen flyer and just wants to sit on me when not in the cage. I will probably have to keep her as a pet as she is incredibly tame! Just got to get our four dogs used to her! Syringed cat food with crushed mealworms(dry) and water seemed to do the trick! The heat pad was a lifesafer under a towel. Some of the time she slept in my hand, still does. Love her to bits! Sorry to those who believe she should be released, she is far too tame and makes no effort to escape!!

[jillyfish]

Probably dehydrating, mix a little water with mushed up cat/dog food and feed through syringe, heat very important too, they like it pretty warm!! Don't burn it though! Dried meal worms crushed up can also be mixed in. Needs feeding regularly every 1-2 hours.

[leigh-anne]

i have just found a baby sparrow on the floor from where i live i put it in a shoe box with lots of holes and i put little bits of bread and milk in the box with it but the thing is it's legs keep going all over the place and it's not eating or drinking i want to take it to a rescue centre but i dont know where to go

[leigh-anne]

how can i tell if it's male or female

[Farplace]

You will be able to find your nearest wildlife rescue centre on line. Is it injured at all? If it is healthy and can fly you should be able to release it close to where you found it, out of the way of cats.
Bread and milk isn't good for birds. Depending on it's age it can be fed on egg food, mealworms etc. Adults and sub-adults can eat seeds

[brittonc]

A member of staff brought in a baby sparrow on Friday that her cat had caught. There were no injuries to the bird and it has had a check up with a vet and is looking very good. It is eating from a syringe and I am using a cat/dog recovery food as recommended by the vet as it is high in protein. I have just ordered some Orlux insect patee to replace the recovery food as it's more natural and will then try introducing some small insects and other foods.

Last year I managed to rehabilitate a starling fledgling that had been attacked by a cat and to see it fly off was a great feeling. I'd like to be able to do the same with the sparrow or at least help get it part way if there is a wildlife centre in Bristol.

I want to make sure I've got things right so any advice would be great.

[jillyfish]

Hi,
I was wondering about insects so glad there is a product I can add to her diet. She is doing well and eats scraps of our food, millet (loves it) grass seeds/corn etc. We still give her meal worms but I feel more insects are needed! She is not as dark brown as the wild Sparrows and I suspect this is why. Dunno.

I won't be able to release her as she is really tame. She flies round the room a bit but mainly wants to sit on us! Looks like I am in for the long haul. Good luck!