What to Feed Abandoned Baby Birds

Finding an abandoned baby bird can be a distressing experience. If you take the responsibility of caring for the bird, you should first take it to a veterinarian to make sure it's healthy. Then you have to figure out what and how to feed it.

  1. Meat

    • Meat is ideal for baby birds. Like human babies, baby birds need protein to help them grow. Meat being fed to a baby bird should be raw and cut into strips. The amount of meat should correspond to the size of the bird. Raw kidney, ground beef and raw liver are suitable meats for baby birds; canned dog food can also be used. Store unused meat in the freezer for later feedings.

    Eggs and Fruit

    • Hard-boiled eggs cut into strips are also a good source of protein for a baby bird. The yolk of the egg, mashed into a paste and mixed with milk, can also be served. When cutting the boiled egg into strips, make sure to only cut the white of the egg. After the egg is boiled, the white of the egg will be firm enough to serve to the bird.

      Some birds can eat fruit. In this case, soak raisins in water and feed them to the baby. Fresh grapes and berries can also be used.

    How to Feed the Bird

    • After deciding what to feed your abandoned baby bird, you must figure out how to do it. Make sure the food is at room temperature and you have forceps or tweezers to hold it. Place your hand behind the head of the bird to support its neck and wings--make sure the head is upright. When the bird is ready to eat, it will open its mouth. When it does, drop in a small amount of food.

      Do not force-feed liquids; have a small accessible cup of water nearby so the bird can drink when it wants to. Be careful not to puncture the skin in the bird's throat and mouth with the forceps or tweezers. Feed the bird until it no longer gapes its mouth.