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Birding/orphan baby bluebird

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Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 8/3/2008


Question
I found feathers that indicated that an adult bluebird had been taken by a neighboring cat.  Later I found a young bluebird, probably about 12 days old, according to pictures on internet.  It has a raw spot on its back, which makes me think that the cat injured it.  I don't know where its nest is.  Can you tell me how to feed it?

Answer
There are bird rehabilitators who know how to feed them, but it is very difficult. Also it is really cruel as they bond to the feeder and usually can never go back to the wild. Unless there is a bird rehabilitator in your area (Contact the Wildlife Dept., Audubon or a bluebird society in your area)put the bird in a little basket and tack the basket to the tree where you found the bird. The other parent may hear it and feed it. Then let nature take its course and hope for the best. Remember that one pair of Bluebirds can raise 15 or more babies in a year, and if they all survived we would be up to our hips in Bluebirds. Predators get the slower and less smart which keeps the species strong. Send your mailing address to walshaw1@cox.net and I will send you a free 20 page Bluebird book.

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Bluebird Bob Walshaw

Expertise

I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please.

Experience

I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year.

Organizations
Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance

Publications
Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World

Education/Credentials
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer.

Awards and Honors
Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention.

Past/Present Clients
Many

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