How Can I Rescue a Baby Bird

[janette164]

hi there, i recently on the 1st of July found a baby sparrow on my doorstep that had fall out of it's nest. It barely had any feathers on it i left it for a while but the rain started to pour heavily, i had no option but to bring it in or watch and let it die. after finding a clean box and towel i put it some where dark and began to dig the garden for worms. Luckily i found a few and proceeded to feed it, it took time but it gave in and began to feed. i then put it in the cupboard for the night not really expecting to find it alive in the morning. To my surprise it lived, i quickly sent out for some meal worms and again to my surprises it fed. Since then it has gone from strength strength. The feathers are coming rapidly and always lets me know when it wants feeding. My delema now is tho, what do i do when i think it is ready to fledge the box do i open the door and let it go (will it survive been hand reared) or do i buy a cage and keep it. I would hate to let it go only for it to keep turning up on my doorstep, (would it have the instinct to feed? would other birds accept it. regards janette

[galanthus]

Nooo pls don't cage it I would think you need to let it go and keep an eye on it til it flies off. You've done a fab job so far janette If the other birds reject it that's quite sad but at least it wouldn't need to live a captive life and there's a good chance it will survive anyway hopefully. Welcome to WAB

[janette164]

thanxs for responding to my message, how do i know when to let it go, it still has no feathers to it's chest only down the sides of the chest, and still no feathers on it's back but again it has to the sides, the wing feathers are coming on nicely, it is at the moment trying to stand but wobbles and falls over after a few seconds,i'm sure it won't be long before it can stand properly then begin to exercise it's wings. All your info is really valuable to me and i really appreciate it. Thanxs

[dragonfly]

HYA what I would do is leave it in a cage outside with the door open if it goes its meant to be if it stays that is also meant to be if it does go it wont starve for long they learn off older birds in the wild but dont be suprised if it comes back from time to time

[lincs lass]

I released a baby blackbird in my garden just over a week ago and it's doing fine. It came back the evening of the day I let it go, over nighted in the garage and went the next day. Seen in amongst the strawberries and raspberries, but I see it most days.

Don't handle it, only go near it when feeding it, cleaning up after it. Then put it out in a cage for a few days and take in of an evening. Then just open the cage (when you decide to let it go) and if ready to go it will...but leave the cage (in a sheltered spot) in case it decides to come back that night. And make sure there is lots of food available in the garden.

You get a really good feeling when you see them about in the garden. I only released the blackbird as the person who had it didn't want to let it go in their garden as I'm out in the sticks and they are in town.