The Care of Swallows

The songs and flight of birds make them intriguing creatures to watch and listen to. Swallows in particular are known for their sweet, lilting songs. However, swallows are most content when left in nature. If you find a baby bird, chances are it is not really lost. It may have fallen out of its nest. In either case, it is illegal to handle the bird unless you're a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. If you're not, contact your local wildlife center. If you are properly licensed, avoid handling the bird without gloves and carefully place it back in its nest, if possible. If you are unable to find a nest, take it in yourself. A screened porch can make a nearly ideal habitat. Whatever you do, always leave the bird outdoors.

Things You'll Need

  • Shoebox or small box
  • Shredded newspaper and paper towels
  • Heating pad, if bird is a hatchling
  • Screen
  • Baby bird formula
  • Eyedropper
  • 2 bowls of water
  • Spray bottle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a small bowl in a shoebox or small cardboard box. Line the bowl with shredded newspapers and paper towels. This will be your baby bird's new nest. A hatchling (a baby whose eyes are not yet open) will need to stay in an area that's between 85 and 90 degrees. Keep the bird warm by placing a heating pad underneath the bottom of the box so the heat radiates through the cardboard without overheating the bird.

    • 2

      Place a window screen or screen material over the box to protect the bird from escaping.

    • 3

      Place a small amount of bird formula in the back of the bird's throat with the eyedropper. Hatchlings need to be fed every 20 minutes, from morning until dark. Change the diet when the bird becomes a fledgling. Fledglings have the beginnings of feathers, open eyes and are usually seven to 10 days old. Feed fledglings a mix of mealworms, baby bird food, insects, nuts, chopped apples and sunflower seeds every 30 minutes at first, with the frequency gradually increasing to every two hours.

    • 4

      Place a small, shallow bowl of water in the box for drinking. Line it with rocks to keep the bird from drowning. Without rocks, the slick bottom of a bowl does not provide places for the bird's claws to catch onto for balance.

    • 5

      Spray the baby bird with a mist of water twice a day if the bird is a hatchling. Provide another small, shallow bowl for fledglings to bathe themselves in.

    • 6

      Release the bird once it is able to fly independently. Set up an outdoor bird feeder so it will come back to visit.