Orphaned Wild Baby Birds

By Julia Kasprzak

 

If the baby is bald, or has pin feathers it needs help, but if you can hold it one foot off the ground and if flies, albeit unsteadily upwards it should be returned to where it was found (unless a cat has shown an interest), The parents will be nearby and will respond to its cries. Don't worry about 'human smell' on the chick, as birds other than the kiwi can't smell.

First and foremost the baby needs warmth, 30"C is a good temperature. The chick will not eat unless it is warm. A hot water bottle will suffice at first, but a stable source of heat will need to be found. Some hot water cupboards are warm enough. A brooder, an incubator, a hospital cage, an electric blanket. A propagation heat pad; even a foot warmer can be used. Check the temperature regularly, as some of these appliances can start off warm, then get hot later. An extra towel between the chick and the heat source should lower the temperature. Line the bottom of the ‘nest' with an old towel or paper towels, and secure a perch inside the box.

Now that the chick is warm, it needs to be fed. The food must be fed at room temperature. Try storing the food in the fridge, leaving out only enough for the next feed. The food must be mixed fresh every day; first thing in the morning is the best time. Do not feed in between the stated times for each species, the chick will beg but you must not succumb. No water needs to be given as the chick will obtain all the moisture it needs from the formula. With most chicks it's a case of food in - poop out', so if you hold a piece of toilet paper under it's tail directly after feeding you can avoid soiling the 'nest'.

Generally, when chicks can perch they will start to self-feed, a bowl of water and a dish of food can then be given, If possible when self-feeding place the chick in a flight aviary that has a dirt floor, and a view of the garden for a week or two before release. Before final release check that the flight feathers are fully developed. DOC will need to be notified of any native birds you have in your possession. The following are proven formulas –


Blackbird, Thrushes, Starlings. and Mynas.

Feed every 2 hours from 7am to 7pm.

  • Mix 1 cup lean mince            
  • 1 pinch bone grow
  • 1 heaped tablespoon baby farex
  • 1 pinch ornithon
  • 1 meshed well-boiled egg
  • 1-tablespoon jelly meat (optional)

This formula can be mixed in bulk and frozen. These chicks will eat 4-6 large mouthfuls per feed, Put a blob of food on the end of your finger and push , down their throat. When they are full they will spit out excess food.


Sparrows. Greenfinches. Goldfinches, and Chaffinches.

Feed every hour, or half-hourly if bald. from 7am -7 pm. Use the first formula and add 50% conditioning food. Feed blobs of food on a toothpick.


Waxeyes and Tuis

Feed every half-hour from 7am - 7pm.

  • Mix 1 teaspoon baby farex
  • 1 teaspoon glucose, honey, or juice concentrate
  • 1 teaspoon mashed banana or other fruit
  • Add 50% of the first formula until fledged.
  • Feed blobs of food on a toothpick or the end of a spoon.

Kingfishers.

Feed every 2 hours from 7am - 7pm.

Cut one-inch strips of meat or fish 5mm wide and sprinkle with bonegrow. Kingfishers will grab the meat off a pair of tweezers


Ducklings and Pukeko.

Unless the cat or dog brings these home, leave them where found as the parents will be hiding and will emerge on your departure. These are self- feeding unless newly hatched, then they will require hourly feeding for 3-4 days until they have learned to feed for themselves. They will eat the food mix on your fingertips. Feed the first formula mixed with 50% blended peas and corn. After a few days the peas and corn can be given mashed with a fork, then eventually whole. These chicks require shallow dishwater to bath in, and a 25-watt light bulb (preferably two, in case one blows) hung one inch above their head, to dry under, and keep warm. Pukeko are members of the rail family, and will bond with people and become tame. A tame pet pukeko may sound nice, but imagine a bird that will rip up your vege or flower garden for fun, and wander inside your home end destroy your furnishings)! Take precautions to prevent bonding. Do not handle beyond what is necessary for cleaning. When feeding wear a balaclava, cover the cage, brooder, or box with a towel, end avoid eye contact. Try to obtain a duckling or chicken chick to keep the pukeko company. When 3 weeks old ducklngs and pukeko can be moved outside to a hutch or aviary to mow the lawn'. They will need to be bought in for the nights and kept warm, until the breast feathers show through the down.

Please contact your local SPCA or DOC office if you are unable to care for the orphan, as they should be able to refer you to someone who can, if you live in Auckland contact Sylvia 478-8819 North Shore, or Pam 570-4750 South Auckland. If you take a bird to them, please give them a small donation, as they work voluntarily, and out of their own funds.

Last modified: 17 December 2001.