How to Feed a Newborn Pigeon

Many newborn birds are fed a liquid, regurgitated meal based on the berries, nuts and insects that adult birds normally eat. However, pigeons are a bit different. The adult birds make a thick, creamy substance in their own throats called "pigeon milk." The pigeon milk is then fed to the newborn birds. If you find a newborn pigeon that has been abandoned by its parents, you cannot feed the baby the pigeon milk it needs. Fortunately, you can sustain the bird by carefully feeding her baby bird formula via a syringe.

Things You'll Need

  • Baby bird formula
  • 1 cc feeding syringe
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill a bowl with the baby bird formula and warm water, as directed on the packaging. Add enough water so the formula is more watery than thick.

    • 2

      Insert the 1 cc feeding syringe into the bowl and pull up on the plunger to extract some formula.

    • 3

      Moisten the feeding syringe's rubber tube. Use your finger to gently open the baby pigeon's beak.

    • 4

      Insert the rubber tube into the pigeon's mouth so that it slides over the tongue and touches the back of the bird's throat.

    • 5

      Press down on the plunger slowly and allow the bird to consume the formula. When the pigeon stops swallowing, press down on the plunger again. Continue until all of the formula is consumed or the bird no longer seems interested in eating.