How to Feed an Orphaned Baby Bird

When you find an orphaned baby bird, make sure it really is abandoned. Look in nearby trees and bushes for a nest. Sometimes they fall out and just need a little help getting back in. Or, if you know that the mother bird is dead, you can take on the task of trying to feed it.

Instructions

    • 1

      Set up a day's worth of food. Orphaned baby birds that are weak need to be fed every 15 minutes or so. As they get stronger you can slowly increase the time to around every half an hour to an hour. Since you'll be feeding it so often, it would be much easier to have the day set up beforehand.

    • 2

      Prepare the food. Canned dog food works well for protein. You need to cut the pieces small enough for the baby bird to handle. You can also soak dog or cat food in hot water. You should use sugar water for the first few days. Mix this with a hard-boiled egg yolk and baby cereal if you have any available. Other meats you can use are raw kidney or liver. Keep the food that you're going to use soon at room temperature.

    • 3

      Let the orphaned bird know that it's time for feeding by putting a hand gently over its back and wings and holding its neck up. You can also gently tap the base of the beak. If this doesn't work, open its mouth yourself to try to coax it to feed.

    • 4

      Feed it by hand or with tweezers. Drop a small amount of food into its mouth. Aim for its throat. Continue to feed until the orphaned baby bird stops opening its mouth for more.