How to Hand Feed a Sick Bird

Whether it is a wild or domestic bird, most birds tend to try to hide when they are sick. By the time a bird shows signs of illness, it is likely pretty weak and sick, according to the pet care website peteducation.com. Wild birds that appear to be sick, injured or orphaned should receive professional care from a wild bird center as soon as it is possible. Until you can get the wild bird to the proper care professionals, caution should be used in approaching and feeding a sick bird. Pet bird owners should contact their veterinarian if signs of illness are observed to determine the exact illness and course of treatment. According to peteducation.com, an unbalanced diet is the primary cause of disease and early death in pet birds. During a time of illness, hand feeding a sick bird could be an option if it is an emergency or used as a means to build up the bird's strength during the recovery.

Things You'll Need

  • Substitute bird food
  • Small, rounded stick or toothpick
  • Water
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Instructions

  1. Wild Bird

    • 1

      Identify the type of bird. According to the Wild Bird Care Centre, different species of birds have different dietary needs. Online bird guides, such as the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Online Bird Guide, can assist in identifying the bird by name, shape and species type.

    • 2

      Find the proper food to give the bird. For example, the Wild Bird Care Centre suggests wet cat or dog food for robins, starlings or other insectivores and wild bird seed for adult seed eaters such as sparrows.

    • 3

      Use a rounded stick to feed larger birds or a toothpick for baby birds. Don't hold the bird while feeding. If it is a necessity to hold the bird, the Wild Bird Care Centre says to never hold the bird on its back while feeding it.

    • 4

      Put a drop of water on the end of the bird's beak with the end of your finger after each feeding. Be careful not to put water directly into the bird's throat or nostrils.

    • 5

      Feed babies at least every hour and featherless babies every half hour. Feed adult birds as needed until medical treatment can be provided.

    Domestic Bird

    • 6

      Remove old seed and replace it with sterile new seed, fruit or vegetables depending on the type of bird. Completely clean the food dish before adding new feed.

    • 7

      Remove and clean the water dish and replace it with fresh water.

    • 8

      Offer foods that require little work to eat, such as warm cereal, cooked pasta or applesauce instead of traditional seeds requiring cracking. According to the veterinary website Animal Hospitals USA, birds that refuse to eat should be hospitalized and advise it is difficult to "force-feed" a sick bird at home.