Help and ID

[rG-tom]

Hey,

Just found three of these, 2 in my garden and very much dead as per photo, but another about 200 yards from the garden but still alive, on its side opening and closing its mouth, is there anything i can do to help and what is it?



I'd be happy if i can help in anyway.

Thanks,

Tom.

[rG-tom]

Hmm, can't seem to edit my original post, here's a picture of the actual bird i have managed to rescue:



It seems to be physically ok, but I can't find its nest! It has accepted food (dog food, which google seems to think is ok as a generic baby bird food as it has plenty of protein?)

Any help would be appreciated.

Tom.

[Hedgehoggy]

Poor little nestling. Sounds like the nest was predated if you'd found two dead siblings on the ground too.

Unsure what species it is, maybe robin? Did you notice any frantic activity/alarm calling from any adult birds in your garden where you found the nestlings?

Ideally, you need to get the little mite to a wildlife centre asap, but in the meantime keeping it warm is crucial.

Taken from wildlife information website: An artificial nest may be made from a round container, similar in diameter to the natural nest for the species. Plastic tubs are commonly used. Line with paper towels. A cardboard box may also be used.

Keep warm , but avoid overheating. Heat lamp or brooder may be used to provide heat. Alternative means of heating include placing the artificial nest on top of a towel-wrapped hot water bottle, placing the artificial nest in a small warm space such as an airing cupboard, placing the container near a radiator or raising the ambient temperature of the room. More heat is required for featherless nestlings than for older, birds which have some feathers. Keep at about 27-32°C until feathered.

Some useful info in raising baby birds can be found here:

Birds

and here:

Hand Rearing Garden Birds etc. (Small Passerines) (Techniques)

If you let us know whereabouts in the UK you are, I can search for a local wildlife rescue for you.

Good luck, I hope it survives the night.

Oh, and welcome to WAB!

[RKB]

Hard to tell size, but I think they might be Dunnocks. I'm guessing they're all ex-Dunnocks by now though. Sounds like a cat has found a nest and ripped them out.

[rG-tom]

Thanks for the info guys, Ill be contacting a rescue place tomorrow but I wanted to do what I could to get it through the night!

An update on the bird, it's had another feeding session where he took down a LOT more! I was dipping the meat in full fat milk to give it some more moisture and calcium, and hopefully this will be enough to get it through the night. I've got the fire on in the lounge and the dog, my gf and I are positively sweltering but the bird seems very happy, it was shivering when we first brought it in and unable to even sit up under its own steam, we actually mistook it for dead at first as it was lay flat on its stomach with its legs spread out, it was only its mouth moving that gave it away!

It's very vocal now when it wants feeding, whereas when we first got it it was completely silent, it couldnt make any noise!

It jumped out of the small box we had it in for feeding onto my GF's hand, a lot more energy!



and I took one sneaky photo a minute ago, room is nearly completely dark and it has snuggled into a bed of tissues in a big old size 13 shoe box. One quick flash burst didnt seem to disturb it:



IT's positively amazing how much stronger it appears after a bit of food, warmth and rest. It must've been very close to dying when we first picked it up.

Do the markings on its feathers not make you think starling RKB?

Tom.

[sunnydale]

Aww, I do hope he/she makes it. Please keep us posted on how things go.

Tracey

[rG-tom]

Good morning campers It's made it through the night and eaten a lot more meat this morning and made a lot of mess to clean up!

I'm trying to get hold of a local sanctuary now but the emergency mobile is "currently unavailable" Will keep trying!

[RKB]

You can make up a hot water bottle, wrap it in a thick towel, and put it on that. It needs to be kept warm.

Not sure what meat you're feeding, but meaty cat/dog food fed on the end of a toothpick/small nail is good. Dip it in water, not milk, and blot off the excess. You can also make up an 'omelette' made of egg yolks, which is convenient to feed in small pieces.

Try not to handle it any more than necesaary to feed, and don't speak to it, or you'll get it used to people.

Haver you been trying the number on here? Welcome to Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital

If not, give them a ring and ask if they have an address for somewhere local.

Pretty sure it's a Dunnock.

[~T~]

Looks like you are doing a pretty good job so far. Sound advice from RKB, you should'nt give it milk as birds cannont digest it.