About Baby Birds

Baby birds are delicate creatures. It's difficult to refrain from taking in a baby bird that has fallen from its nest. Although it's possible to raise baby birds in captivity, it significantly decreases the bird's chances for survival. There are two types of baby birds you might find on the ground: nestlings and fledglings. It's important to determine which type of baby bird it is before taking it into your care.

  1. Types

    • Baby birds who are still too young to fly are called "nestlings," because they need to stay in the nest and have their mother take care of them. When baby birds reach the age where they can try to fly out of the nest, they become known as "fledglings." Fledglings can easily be mistaken as orphans, because they are still in the process of learning how to fly. Fledglings should be left alone because they have not been abandoned.

    Function

    • Most birds live high up in the trees, away from predators. If you have bird feeders, bird baths and foliage in your yard, they most likely attract various types of wild birds. When it comes to nesting, birds construct their nests with sometimes unusual items like pet fur, cloth and string, but you will often see nests made with sticks and dried grass. These resourceful creatures make their nests comfortable and warm for their babies and practical for varying weather conditions and predators.

    Features

    • Baby birds come into the world naked and blind. It's up to the parents to provide them with sufficient nutrition so that they can finish developing their feathers and eyesight. When the birds reach adulthood, go through the process of molting, which enables them to renew their feathers. Male birds usually have more distinct colors and patterns, which are used to attract the females. In addition, in some species of birds, the male is the only one with the ability to sing.

    Considerations

    • In order to sustain a baby bird, you have to feed it around the clock. At one to two weeks old, it should be fed every two to three hours. At two to three weeks, it should be fed every three to four hours, and at three to four weeks, it should be fed every four hours. When it reaches five to seven weeks old, it should be able to eat on its own. Pellets can be provided in cage. However, when it's younger, it will require a more nutritious food source such as formula, and the formula should be between 104 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit. The crop (chest) of the bird will expand when the bird is full.

    Misconceptions

    • Birds have accurate eyesight and hearing, but their sense of smell is not of the same caliber. It's a misconception that mother birds will abandon their young if they smell like humans. However, it's still important to keep your distance from the baby bird so that the mother does not get scared or upset. It's also important to remember that raising a bird in captivity is illegal unless you have the proper state and federal licenses. If a baby bird is in dire need of help, you should contact a local wildlife service who can properly care for the bird and increase its chances of survival.