How to Feed a Baby Bluejay

It is common during the spring months to find a baby blue jay away from the safety of its nest. Many baby birds are thought to be abandoned or out of the nest too soon, when they are actually fledglings who have recently grown their feathers and are on their first flight and do not need rescuing. Few baby birds fall from their nest, unless storms or other natural disasters occur. According to the Marathon Wild Bird Center, it's best not to take in and feed a baby bird unless absolutely necessary. Keeping wild birds in captivity is illegal. If necessary, feed and keep the bird safe until you make contact with your local wildlife rehabilitator.

Things You'll Need

  • Margarine tub
  • Grass
  • Towel
  • Heating pad
  • Water
  • Baby medicine dropper
  • Hand-feeding formula for baby birds
  • Blunt-tipped tweezers
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Examine the bird for injuries. If it is hurt, take it to an avian or wildlife veterinarian or call your local conservation department for the nearest wildlife rehabilitator.

    • 2

      Determine if the bird is a fledgling. The majority of baby birds found are fledglings learning to fly. Allow the bird to perch on your finger. If the bird grips your finger firmly, it is a fledgling. If not, it is a nestling and has been prematurely abandoned.

    • 3

      Locate the nest by searching trees and bushes that are close by and well hidden.

    • 4

      Hold the bird in your hands until it becomes warm and place it back in its nest. Returning a cold bird to its nest may cause the parent to push it out in response to keeping eggs or other babies warm.

    • 5

      Construct a substitute nest, using a margarine tub with holes punched in the bottom for draining and fill it with grass. Secure it in the area where you found the baby bird if you are unable to locate the nest or it is unreachable.

    • 6

      Watch discretely to see if a parent blue jay returns. Typically wild birds will not return to their nest if they see you. If you have cats, keep them inside. If you fear other predators, move the bird out of harm's way by placing it in dense shrubbery.

    • 7

      Place a call to your local wildlife rehabilitator if a parent does not return within six to eight hours, and begin to administer care and feeding for the baby bird.

    • 8

      Place the baby bird on a towel-covered heating pad set on the lowest temperature setting. Keep the bird in a safe, quiet area.

    • 9

      Provide the bird water using the baby medicine dropper. Slowly and carefully place small droplets of water into its mouth. If too much water enters the baby's lungs it can cause pulmonary aspiration and death.

    • 10

      Purchase a hand-feeding baby bird formula from a pet store. Soak the food in water at room temperature, using one part dry food to two parts water.

    • 11

      Feed the baby bird the food in pea-sized portions, using the blunt-tipped tweezers. Carefully place the food into the baby's mouth as it reaches for it. Do not poke the tweezers down its throat. The bird will stop eating when it's full.

    • 12

      Feed the bird every 30 minutes if it's a nestling and every hour if a fledgling.