Baby blackbird held needed

[Wild Lady Malaru]

For one I know this for a fact since the dog has touched the baby bird to begin with, it is a good job you did not put it back, of course it would of been a wise thing to put the baby back, but just think of this the baby would of been attacked by it's parents, I should know I had that happen just today. My brother's cat attacked a baby bird the same bird that fell out of it's nest a few days ago I did wash my hands a put the baby back, but today the parents were attacking the baby why? because it had the smell of cat on it, not only that the baby bird you have has the scent of dog on it so the parents would of attacked it wildly and aggressively.

[witham]

we've had numerous nests in various out buildings over the years which we keep an eye on and have had the odd baby fall out well before they're ready to fledge and have always put them back without any adverse reactions from the parents unless it's because they're used to us, I would always recommend putting them back a.s.a.p at least you've tried as they will definitely be a gonner if you don't unless you have the means to hand feed them or know someone who can.

[mystic meg]

Birds do not have a sense of smell, so you cannot put your scent on them. All the calls that we take on hatchlings(as the name suggests), nestlings( some feather growth but still in nest, eyes open), and fledglings( out of nest), we take as individual cases, you have to ask the caller a few questions to find out if the bird needs some help. Cat attack birds definately need to come in, if hatchlings or nestlings are on the ground and can't be put back ie nest collapse, they need help too. We try and educate callers about fledglings on the ground and try to explain we can't take every fledgling in under the threat of a cat, if the cat in question belongs to the caller we ask them if they could perhaps keep the cat in for the day to give the birds a chance, ofcourse we get accused of not caring and "so your saying let the cat kill the bird then" Grrrr! Comments like that make us feel very cross!

All the young birds we have helped so far this year, i would say our success rate is roughly 50%. You can rear and release back to the wild successfully as long as you don't make them tame. The key is not to have too much close contact with them. Feed them, keep them warm, you get used to knowing the different stages ie when to give them more space to move around, when to introduce a perch, when to put small bowls of food and water in with them, and all birds and mammals for that matter do much better with company of their own kind.

Egg food is a good starter food for young birds, it does need water adding to it to make a palatable paste, and fed on a small soft childs paint brush. As the bird grows and is at the stage of moving and perching you can put it in a small bowl in the cage, add a few mealworms(not forgetting to crush the head when feeding to young birds) you can crush the head but still leave it wriggling to catch the birds attention and hey presto they will start to pick up naturally. Easy eh

[smeegal]

Hi, My story is simular to above, my cat took baby blackbird from nest, I put it back straight away and didn't see any other babies in there. Don't know if it's alive (as don't want to go pulling the tree about to see) but the parents have been taking worms in there, is this a good sign? The male has since been after my cat and his very scared to go out (not a bad thing) but wondered how long this will go on for? and should I check to see if the baby bird is alive?

Thank You.
Marie

[Wild Lady Malaru]

Originally Posted by smeegal

Hi, My story is simular to above, my cat took baby blackbird from nest, I put it back straight away and didn't see any other babies in there. Don't know if it's alive (as don't want to go pulling the tree about to see) but the parents have been taking worms in there, is this a good sign? The male has since been after my cat and his very scared to go out (not a bad thing) but wondered how long this will go on for? and should I check to see if the baby bird is alive?

Thank You.
Marie

It really doesn't hurt to take a small peak really, but touching them is the real matter, I remember a cat of mine capturing a bird then placing it into his dish, to save it for later, but never heard of a cat taking a baby bird back to it's nest, is your cat female. So it could be a good sign that your cat is afraid to go outside, both of mine are frightened. It will probably go on for about a few month depending on when their migration will take place. Baby birds don't take long to develope their feathers. When I was younger I lived at my grandmothers, there was a tree outside her home with a hole in it. My bigger cousin lifted me up to let me see inside and asked me what I could see. I told him that I seen many baby birds in it. The parents were alright for me taking a peak as long as there is no touching involved that is what I was told by my grandmother and my mother.

[solus]

Wild Lady - the poster said that she put the bird back in its nest!
Also, Blackbirds don't migrate! Smeegal's will be more or less resident in her garden and local area.

Marie: I would say leave well alone. If the parents are taking food to the nest it is bacause they are feeding a live chick or several: in due course (a couple of weeks, I think) it/they will fledge and you will see it/them about the garden. Even if by taking a peek you didn't disturb the birds (and you may well do), you could inadvertantly give the nest site away to other predators.

Male Blackbirds can be very aggressive towards potential predators and if your cat is at present wary, then that can't be a bad thing for the birds! Maybe puss has learned a lesson, too, and will leave birds alone in future!