How to Care for Newborn Baby Birds

Newborn baby birds are sensitive creatures, and it is a lot of responsibility to take care of them. Birds generally take good care of their very young chicks, so you will not need to care for them unless they have been abandoned by their parents. A bird's parents will continue to care for a chick if it is placed back in the nest, or if you place it in a basket near the nest. Most birds fall while learning to fly, so make sure the baby bird is truly abandoned before taking care of it.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium or box
  • 40-watt bulb
  • Margarine container
  • Newspaper
  • High-protein food
  • Popsicle stick or straw
  • Chick or turkey starter food
  • Shallow water dish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Create a "nest" for the baby bird out of an empty aquarium or box. Set up a 40-watt bulb a foot above the aquarium to keep the featherless baby warm. Place a small container, such as a margarine container, full of newspaper, inside the larger container to supply a resting place for the bird. Make sure the small container is filled with enough newspaper that the bird can defecate out the side. Place the nest in a quiet place.

    • 2

      Feed the baby bird regularly. Baby birds depend on their parents to bring them food and must be fed every half hour. A popsicle stick or straw works as a feeding implement. The chick can be fed a home-made mixture of high protein ingredients, including ground turkey or beef, cooked egg yolk, soaked dog food and enough water to bring it to an oatmeal like consistency. Never feed a baby bird milk. Only a brand new baby bird will need water to drink.

    • 3

      Place food in the aquarium-nest as soon as the chick opens its eyes and feathers appear to help it learn to eat on its own. Stop feeding the baby bird when the crop of feathers on the side of the neck appears full.

    • 4

      Feed the baby birds, once they can feed on their own, chick or turkey starter food. This should be placed in the nest along with a small dish of water.

    • 5

      Call a local veterinarian or wildlife hotline as soon as you find the bird to get more care tips and alert the wildlife caretakers that you are waiting for their instructions.