How to Care for Young and Wild Baby Birds

Most states have laws about keeping wild, migratory birds. If you happen to find a baby bird outside of its nest, you should look for the nest and return it there. If you cannot find the nest or the baby is missing its feathers, it could be abandoned. If this is the case, you should contact a bird rehabilitation center. Until you can get the baby to the rehabilitation center, there are some steps you can follow to ensure the baby bird remains healthy.

Things You'll Need

  • Electric heating pad
  • Towel
  • Small container (shoebox or plastic box)
  • Pencil
  • Drill or hammer and nail
  • Bird formula
  • Hard boiled egg yolk
  • 1/3 cup beef canned dog food
  • Oral baby syringe
  • Child's water color paintbrush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place an electric heating pad, covered in a towel into a small container. Turn the heating pad on low. If you are caring for one baby bird, a shoe box will do. If you have multiple baby birds, consider a larger plastic storage container. You want enough room in the container for the baby bird to stand up and move around.

    • 2

      Make 10 to 12 holes in the top of the container to allow for air circulation. If you are using a shoe box, you can use a pencil to make the holes. If you are using a plastic container, use a drill or a hammer and nail. Have your nest box ready before handling the birds to reduce stress to the bird.

    • 3

      Place your baby bird into the container and place the lid on. Keep the lid closed when you are not tending to the bird. This will not only keep the bird safe but will also reduce stress. When you open the box and look in, it can frighten a young bird.

    • 4

      Speak to a wildlife care specialist to determine if you should feed the bird before it goes to the rehabilitation center. Most baby birds eat every 14 to 20 minutes during daylight hours. At night, they will either not eat at all or at least infrequently. Provide the appropriate food based on the specialists instructions. Most birds can eat a commercial bird formula, such as baby parrot formula. However, if the bird does not have a crop, the sack located in the neck of the bird near the throat that can store excess food for later, you can make a baby bird food by mashing up a hard boiled egg yolk with a 1/3 cup beef canned dog food. Use either an oral baby syringe or the tip of a child's water color paintbrush to place the food of choice in the back of the bird's throat, near the esophagus.

    • 5

      Give the baby bird to a bird specialist as soon as possible to provide the baby the best chance at survival.