Expert: Roger Lederer - 6/28/2008

Question
my little cousin and his friend found some baby birds in their backyard and notice that the mom had been missing for a couple of days when they fell out the nest into an ant hill.they gathered them together with the nest and brought them home....we have no idea how to take care of them.we've had pet birds before but not like these...they're bold,pink,purple and reddish...the little boy's mom feed them cut up rice and milk yesterday.this morning me and my cousin are giving them milk but idk if that's what they should be eating...we don't want them to die but have no clue on how to take care of them.we called a clinic who gave us a number to a public bird rescuer but she's out of town so she gave me a number of a friend who can help...but they never answered....what do we do??

Answer
If these birds are fully feathered, let them go immediately! They did not fall out of the nest, they jumped andthe parents will care for them on the ground. Cut up rice and milk is not correct- they will die on that diet. You did the right thing by calling animal rescue. Keep calling them. And go to www.ornithology.com/rehab.html for more advice. Again, if they are fully feathered, put them back where you found them, please. Thanks for your concern.